Adrianna Kissoon asked 6 years ago
Hello,
I have found fleas on my cats a couple of weeks ago and got them treated. But because of personal issues i had to rehome my cats. I am now seeing fleas in my apartment. I had an exterminator come and treat my house for them. I was feeling good until yesterday when i found more fleas around my kitchen front door and bathroom floors. I have the exterminator coming again tomorrow and my apartment leasing people agreed that he will be coming once a week if possible. my question would be are they super active now because the eggs hatched? And if thats the thing is vacuuming and carpet treatment going to help get rid of them?
Adam Retzer Staff answered 6 years ago
Adrianna,
Yes, the eggs have likely matured into adults and are emerging. Adults only make up 1-5% of infestations. Immature stages (eggs, larvae, pupae) make up the rest.
The emerged adults will be active if the primary host is gone. Emerged adults must find a host and feed within around a week or they will starve to death. This make them very active.
The immature stages live in the environment. Upon hatching, larvae avoid light and move deep down into their substrate (usually the base of carpets). There, many are protected from insecticides and vacuuming. Insecticides should prevent any new eggs from surviving, but those existing fleas need to mature, emerge, and die. Thus, some patience is required.
It usually takes at least 8 weeks before an infestation ends. In homes, eggs become adults in 17-26 days. However, cocooned adults can enter into a sleep-like state for up to 5 months. This can cause control issues. Heat and pressure trigger waking up and emergence. Vacuuming is a good way to simulate these host cues and force earlier emergence.
With the cats gone, and the home treated, the infestation should resolve in a month or two. Unfortunately, this may not be as quickly as you’d like.
Warm regards,
Adam
