Adult fleas will be killed within a few days but the floor should not be vacuumed, swept or washed for at least two weeks after treatment because there will still be eggs which will continue to hatch.
The active ingredient in FRONTLINE (fipronil) kills fleas by affecting their nervous system, making them hyperactive before dying. These dying fleas often rise to the top of your pet's haircoat, so the presence of visible fleas after treating your pet, is a sign that the product is working.
Treated fleas become more active before they die – making them more visible. Solving a flea problem can be much more difficult than many people expect. In the case of a severe flea infestation it can take several months of diligent treatment of both your animals and your home to get on top of the problem.
When it has a host, an adult flea can live about 100 days. But how long can they live without a host? Those fleas typically live only one to two weeks. The entire lifespan of a flea, from egg to adulthood, can last a few weeks or even a few months.
While consumer spray products will kill fleas, a property owner should never rely solely on sprays. A flea aerosol bomb may seem like a good control product for indoor flea problems, but may not reach into sheltered areas where flea larvae and pupae are living.
Adult fleas will be killed within a few days but the floor should not be vacuumed, swept or washed for at least two weeks after treatment because there will still be eggs which will continue to hatch.
After your treatment
You must not: enter your home for at least two hours afterwards because the insecticide spray can be harmful to people and pets. clean or vacuum the treated areas for at least 14 days to allow the spray time to work.
If you do see fleas and they are moving slow enough to catch – success – they are busy dying!
Fleas in the house are typically found in sleeping areas such as bedding, carpet, and mattresses. Fleas on humans are often found in areas that are closer to the ground, as fleas tend to grab onto clothing while a person is outside.
Flea larvae can remain dormant in your home for months, so new fleas may continue to emerge — even after treatment. These fleas will quickly die after hatching if you've treated your home and kept up with regular flea preventive for your pet, but it can take a while for all the existing fleas to hatch and be killed.
Only treating the fleas you see
Eggs hatch within 21 days and the larvae settle into fabrics like furniture and carpet. Here they will feast on dead skin cells and hair. Since 95% of the flea's life is spent outside the adult stage, flea infestations can take a long time to eradicate.
Fleas have a complex life cycle. At some stages of their life cycle they are resistant to insecticides and other flea control products. In order to get rid of fleas in all stages of the life cycle, two or more follow-up treatments within 5-10 days after the first application are needed.
While some could last 2 – 3 weeks, they could also live for up to 12 months on the host it finds, so it is unlikely they will go away on their own. Fleas can also reproduce very quickly by laying eggs in carpet, bedding, or garden prolonging the infestation.
After emerging from their cocoons, adult cat fleas must quickly find a host. Without blood, they'll die of starvation within a week in normal household conditions Fig 1. Fig 1 Days it takes (y-axis) for 90% of newly-emerged, unfed adult fleas to die at various relative humidity percentages (x-axis).
Get Steamy. Once you have vacuumed your floors and upholstery, consider using a steamer or washing coverings in hot water. The heat will kill any additional fleas that may have been left behind. Other surfaces such as countertops and tables can also be cleaned with hot water.
Fleas have flattened bodies so they can move through the fur of their hosts easily. They also have very strong exoskeletons, making them very hard to crush.
Fleas in any life stage will either be killed in the course of the wash or will ultimately wind up in the sewer. Any insects that might happen to make it all the way to the dryer will be killed off by more heat and turbulence.
You will notice clusters of red bumps on your feet, ankle, and legs. If that ever happens to you, you might have pests on your couch or bed. If you notice there's a lot of red bumps on your skin, the flea infestation is beyond your control.
Answer: You should not have to wash any clothes that were in the closets and drawers. More information on treating for fleas in the home.
95% are in the environment as flea eggs, larvae and pupae.
Seeing fleas after treatment isn't really about how long it takes for flea treatment to work or for fleas to die. It's about the number of life stages in the pet's environment that develop into new fleas and jump on a pet.
Fleas Extra to penetrate deep into carpet fibres. Where possible, move large items of furniture and vacuum and spray underneath. You should also vacuum rapidly 24 hours after spraying and thereafter at least twice weekly for the next two weeks.
Answer: It is always advised to make your application either in the early morning or early evening time. You don't ever want to make an application of insecticide or herbicide during mid day when the sun is at its hottest.