Columbia Flea Control

Stop Flea Bites from Affecting You or Your Pets

Fleas are notorious for biting animals like cats and dogs, but did you know that fleas can also affect humans? That’s why you should never hesitate to contact Modern Exterminating for flea control in Columbia. With over 60 years of experience, our team has the skills to quickly resolve your flea problem. We offer treatment and extermination methods that are safe for you, your family, and your pets.

Our company has built a reputation based on our “PHD” in customer care—professionalism, dependability, and honesty. With same-day service available upon request, there’s never a bad time to call Modern Exterminating for reliable flea pest control in Columbia, Lexington, Aiken, or the surrounding communities.

Protect your pets and family from biting fleas with our professional treatment solutions. Modern Exterminating Co Inc offers targeted flea control for lasting relief. Contact us at (803) 205-2744 or fill out our online form.

Ridding Your Home of Fleas

Ridding a home of fleas can be a frustrating and costly endeavor, as fleas cause discomfort and irritation for both pets and people. Fleas account for more than half of all dermatological conditions requiring veterinary assistance in pets. Even a single flea bite to a hypersensitive animal or person can cause intense itching and irritation. For successful flea control, the home, pet, and often the yard must be treated.

In addition to flea control within the home, addressing your yard's environment is vital. Fleas can thrive in moist and shaded outdoor areas, making regular yard maintenance crucial. Keep grass trimmed and remove any debris to minimize flea habitats. Utilize flea-repelling plants like lavender or mint to naturally deter fleas outdoors, protecting both pets and household members who enjoy spending time outside.

The manner in which these treatments are performed greatly influences the results, which is why it’s important to hire a professional like one of our technicians at Modern Exterminating. Check out the following information designed to help pet owners effectively rid their homes and pets of fleas, and remember to call the trusted flea pest control Columbia residents rely on.

Understanding Fleas: Key Information for Columbia Residents

• Adult fleas (the biting stage seen by pet owners) spend most of their time on the animal, not in the carpet. This is why pet flea care alongside its environment is essential in ridding a home of fleas.
• Adult fleas lay up to 50 eggs per day on the pet. However, the eggs soon fall off the animal into carpeting, beneath furniture cushions, and wherever else the pet rests, sleeps, or spends most of its time. This is where homeowners should focus on control measures.
• After hatching, flea eggs develop into tiny, worm-like larvae. Larvae remain hidden deep in carpet fibers, beneath furniture cushions, and in other protected areas. The larvae feed mainly on adult flea feces (dried blood) that accumulates, along with the eggs, in pet resting and activity areas.
• Before becoming adult fleas, the larvae transform into pupae within a silk-like cocoon. Pupae remain inside the cocoon for two to four weeks (sometimes longer). The cocoon is resistant to insecticides, which is why some adult fleas are seen for an extended period, even after the home and pet are treated.

Identifying Flea Bites & Their Effects on Humans & Pets

In humans, flea bites usually occur on the lower body, on areas like the ankles or feet, but they can happen anywhere. They tend to be grouped together and have a scabbed, red appearance. Some people may not have much of a reaction at all to fleas and only notice flea activity on their pets.

Effective Flea Control Solutions for Your Columbia Home

If you neglect to treat your pet’s environment, you will miss more than 90% of the developing flea population: the eggs, larvae, and pupae. If your pet spends time indoors, the interior of the home should also be treated.

Our approach to flea control in Columbia is comprehensive, targeting both the immediate problem and potential future outbreaks. Modern Exterminating employs integrated pest management practices, combining chemical treatments with strategic advice on controlling environmental factors. This includes educating pet owners about regular grooming and using veterinarian-recommended flea control products, ensuring that each treatment plan is as effective as possible. By understanding the local climate and common flea sources, we tailor our strategies to meet the specific needs of Columbia residents.

Pre-Treatment Checklist for Columbia Homeowners

1. Remove all toys, clothing, and stored items from floors, under beds, and in closets. This step is essential so that all areas will be accessible for treatment.
2. Remove pet food and water dishes, cover fish tanks, and disconnect their aerators.
3. Wash, dry-clean, or destroy all pet bedding.
4. Vacuum!

This last step is particularly important, as vacuuming removes many of the eggs, larvae, and pupae developing within the home. Vacuuming also stimulates pre-adult fleas to emerge sooner from their insecticide-resistant cocoons, thus hastening their contact with insecticide residues in the carpet. By raising the nap of the carpet, vacuuming improves the insecticide’s penetration down to the base of the carpet fibers where the developing fleas live. 

Always vacuum thoroughly before flea treatment, especially in areas where pets rest or sleep. Don’t forget to vacuum along the edges of rooms and beneath furniture, cushions, beds, and throw rugs. After vacuuming, seal the vacuum bag in a garbage bag and discard it in an outdoor trash container.

Insecticide Application for Your Columbia, SC Flea Problem

Once fleas become established in a home, insecticides are almost always needed to control them. It is important to always read and follow the label directions on the insecticide container. Other than the person performing the application, people and pets should be out of the house during treatment. People and pets should also remain off treated surfaces until the spray has dried. This may take several hours, depending on carpet type, ventilation, and method of application. Opening windows and running the fan or air conditioner after treatment will enhance drying and minimize odor. 

Most homeowners will find aerosol formulations easier to apply than liquids. Moreover, aerosol products which can be dispensed by hand—and thus directed under and behind beds, furniture, etc.—tend to be more effective than “foggers” or “bug bombs” which are indiscriminately set off in the center of a room. It is essential that the application be thorough and include all likely areas of flea development. Carpets, throw rugs, under and behind beds and furniture, and beneath cushions on which pets sleep should all be treated. Pay particular attention to areas where pets spend time or sleep, as these will be the areas where most flea eggs, larvae, and pupae will be concentrated. For example, if the family cat sleeps within a closet or hides under the bed, these areas must be treated, or the problem will continue. Hardwood and tile floors generally do not require treatment, but should be thoroughly vacuumed.

Expect to see some fleas for two to four weeks or longer following treatment. Provided all infested areas were treated initially, these “survivors” are probably newly emerged adults that have not yet succumbed to the insecticide. Instead of retreating from the premises immediately, continue to vacuum. As noted earlier, vacuuming stimulates the insecticide-resistant pupae to hatch, bringing the newly emerged adults into contact with the insecticide sooner. Flea traps, such as those utilizing a light and glue board to attract and capture adult fleas, can be helpful but will not eliminate a flea infestation unless used in combination with other methods. If adult fleas continue to be seen beyond two to four weeks, retreatment of the premises (and pet) may be necessary.