Ultimate Flea Control Guide For San Jose Homeowners

A flea infestation can be a nightmare. We've heard some stories. One couple we spoke with tried wave after waves of DIY flea control. They treated their cats with soapy water and vinegar baths. They put collars on them. They sprayed every inch of their home with a vinegar and water solution. They put down diatomaceous earth. They tried soapy water on dishes with lamps over them. They even resorted to over-the-counter sprays from the local pet store. After all of this, and even putting their couch outside on their porch for days, they still had a flea infestation. We don't want their horror story to be yours. Here's what you should know about flea control in San Jose.

Natural Control Tips

If you're looking for a natural way to get rid of fleas, you're not without options. There are many natural options to help you prevent a flea infestation.

• Vacuum your rugs routinely, especially in closets and underneath furniture. Be sure to put the bag outside when you're done.
• Clean all bedding. Heat kills fleas in all stages of development. Get pet bedding first.
• Clean areas where your pet lies down. If you have a dog or cat that lays on the couch, vacuum the item thoroughly.
• Reduce moisture around your home to make it more difficult for fleas to survive.
• Seal any entry points in your exterior. This will help to keep mice and rats out, which can continually introduce new fleas to your home.
• Take measures to control wildlife activity around your home. Any furry animal that comes into your yard can drop flea eggs and flea dirt, which are the catalyst for flea development. Use fencing to keep animals from finding a location to bed down or hide around your San Jose home. Keep bagged trash in covered receptacles that can't be knocked over. Move bird feeders away from your exterior. Seeds are a food source for mice, rats, and other animals.

Pet Products

There is quite an assortment of products for controlling fleas. Before you spend a lot of money, there are a few things you should know.

• Flea collars are an important first step in flea control, but collars have some drawbacks. They're not for every pet or for every family. Some pets and people have a low tolerance to the active ingredient. It is also possible for fleas to feed on a pet before they are exposed to the control product on a collar. Consult your veterinarian.
• Flea baths can eliminate fleas, but keep in mind that fleas can turn to you for a blood meal if your pets have been protected.
• Flea sprays can kill fleas on contact, but these products are topical. They don't get to where fleas may be hiding, such as in your couch or living room chairs.
• Flea treatments are often temporary. They have no residual impact on fleas in your home. Fleas can emerge from eggs or cocoons long after these products have become inert.

Professional Flea Control

Sometimes, it is necessary to have a licensed professional address a flea infestation. Fleas can be in spaces that are difficult to treat and residual products must be used to eliminate fleas as they emerge. It is best to have these products selected and administered by a trained technician to make sure all safety regulations are followed. A professional can also assist with secondary factors that are causing an infestation, such as the presence of mice, rats, or some other animal.

At Bay Pest, we provide flea extermination, but are more often called in to help residents in San Jose create a perimeter around their homes that control fleas before their pets (or some other animal) can pick them up and bring them inside. The services we provide have an impact on a wide range of pests, not just fleas.

San Jose Flea Prevention

If you'd like to know more about our residential pest control services, or you're ready to get your pest control protection in place, reach out to us. We're here to help you with all your pest control needs. You don't have to let fleas and other dangerous pests plague you and your pets. Start living the pest-free life today.