This post originally appeared in The 'Good News, a blog by Allgood Services, Inc. dba Allgood Pest Solutions. In February 2017, the company changed its name to Cingo.
True story. Several years ago, an Allgood pest control professional was visiting a customer's home. The dog needed to go for a quick walk, and the homeowner needed a little help. Now we call it "Pestimonial #318" and even distribute leashes from time to time. "Killed the fleas, walked the dog." That's what makes us the Allgood guys. Flea infestations are most common in homes with pets, but can be the result of stray animals or rodents. These blood-feeders can cause real aggravation for homeowners. In Charleston and surrounding areas, the most common flea we encounter is the Cat Flea -- but they aren't exclusive to cats. You'll find these biting insects on dogs and rodents, too.
Adult fleas are very small in size, about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch, and are uniformly brown in color. They are flattened from side to side which makes them very hard to "smash," if that's the tactic you wanted to take. Relative to their size, the flea is one of the best jumpers that exists. They are capable of jumping up to 100 times their height. That would be like a 6 foot tall man clearing the Georgia Dome. This might have contributed to the popularity of the Flea Circus in the early 1900s.
Fleas undergo complete metamorphosis, which includes egg, larva, pupa and adult stages. Eggs will hatch into larva within two weeks. After about the same length of time, the larva enters the pupal or "resting stage," where the adult form develops inside a protected case. The length of this stage varies from one week to nearly a year. Fleas can overwinter or wait to emerge until they sense a host nearby, detected by the CO2 of a living mammal.
Can you prevent fleas?
Flea prevention medications are very effective when used properly and regularly. Most pest control companies don't include fleas in residential pest control treatments. That means you'll likely have to pay extra. That's not the case with Allgood Pest control. Allgood offers a Pest Free Home with protection from any pest that threatens your family, including indoor fleas, bed bugs and even squirrels.
How can a professional exterminator help?
To eliminate fleas, a pest control provider will apply an insecticide or Insect Growth Regulator to the flooring and specific surfaces in your home, focusing on areas where pets spend most of their time. In the yard, treatments typically involve applying the insecticide to the lawn and mulch. Homeowners can improve the success of a flea elimination and should have their pets treated for fleas as well.
And if Fido brings fleas into your home, be sure to Contact Allgood about pest control in Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina.
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About Cingo: The name Cingo means to surround and secure, conveying the company's commitment to home protection. The company has been protecting families in the Southeast since 1974. It provides home protection services throughout Georgia and South Carolina, including Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston, Douglas, Dublin, Milledgeville, Savannah, Vidalia, Waycross and all points in between. Cingo was named a Best Place to Work in Georgia by Georgia Trend Magazine and listed as a National Best & Brightest Company to Work For. Learn more at www.cingohome.com.
