Flea Solutions. that last.

West Virginia's warm summers and heavily wooded landscape create ideal conditions for fleas. Pet owners are the most common victims, but fleas can infest a home even without pets — carried in by wildlife like raccoons, opossums, or deer that pass through the yard.

ABOUT FLEAS

Fleas are tiny (1/16 to 1/8 inch), wingless, dark brown insects with powerful hind legs built for jumping. The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is the most common species found on dogs, cats, and humans in WV. A flea can jump up to 13 inches vertically and reproduce rapidly — a female lays up to 50 eggs per day.

HOW FLEAS ENTER YOUR HOME

- Pets that spend time outdoors pick up fleas from the yard, wooded areas, or contact with wildlife
- Wildlife (raccoons, squirrels, deer, foxes) that rest near or under the home leave flea eggs in the yard
- Used upholstered furniture or rugs
- Previously infested homes — flea pupae can remain dormant for up to 6 months waiting for a host

WHERE TO INSPECT

Check pet bedding, carpeted areas (especially along baseboards and under furniture), and anywhere pets spend time resting. Outside, inspect shaded areas under decks, porches, and crawlspace vents where wildlife may rest. Fleas prefer shade and humidity.

HOMEOWNER PREVENTION TIPS

1. Keep pets on a year-round veterinarian-recommended flea prevention program.
2. Vacuum frequently — especially in pet resting areas — and empty the vacuum outside immediately.
3. Wash pet bedding weekly in hot water.
4. Mow grass regularly and remove leaf litter and brush piles where wildlife shelter.
5. Use motion-activated deterrents or exclusion fencing to discourage wildlife from resting near the home.
6. When moving into a previously occupied home, treat for fleas even if no pets are present.

THE FLEA LIFE CYCLE — WHY TREATMENT IS COMPLEX

Adult fleas represent only about 5% of a flea infestation. The other 95% — eggs, larvae, and pupae — are hidden in carpets, cracks, and pet bedding. Killing adult fleas without addressing developing stages means the problem returns within weeks. Effective flea treatment must include an insect growth regulator (IGR) to break the life cycle, in addition to adulticide treatment.

HOW WE TREAT FLEAS

Pest Control WV treats both the interior and exterior for fleas. Interior treatment includes a thorough application to carpeted areas, baseboards, and pet resting zones using both an adulticide and an IGR. Exterior treatment targets shaded areas, under decks, and along the foundation. Please review our Flea Prep Sheet before treatment — vacuuming and washing bedding prior to service significantly improves results.