by Michael F. Potter, Extension Entomologist University of
Kentucky College of Agriculture Anyone who has ever battled
fleas knows how difficult they are to eradicate. Once a home
becomes infested, control can be difficult, time-consuming and
expensive. A flea-infested dog or cat can introduce hundreds of
new flea eggs into the home each day. By mid- to late summer,
pet owners often find themselves fighting a losing battle
against established flea populations that are enormous. A better
way to manage fleas is through prevention. By taking action
before fleas are abundant, pet owners can avoid severe
infestations later in the season. Preventive flea control has
been made possible by new product innovations and insights into
flea biology. We now know that adult fleas (the biting stage)
spend virtually their entire life on the pet, not in the carpet.
Eggs are laid on the fur and fall off into carpeting, beneath
furniture cushions, and wherever else the pet lays, sleeps or
spends time. After hatching, the eggs tr