DEAR JOAN: We are suffering from a flea invasion, and we don’t even have any pets.
The cat next door spends a good deal of his time on our patio sleeping, but we don’t let him into our house. We are wondering if there is a “season” for fleas and whether we should just endure the bites until time passes.
We’re using flea powder in the house and aren’t sure how long that takes to eradicate the fleas. Can you actually even hope for that? Should we also be spraying outside?
Julie and Rudi, Richmond
DEAR JULIE AND RUDI: How creative of you to get the fleas before you get a pet. There is a flea season in California: It starts Jan. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. The downside of having a wonderful climate, whichallows us to grow all manner of things for most of the year, is it is never not tick and flea season. While fleas much prefer the blood of our pets, they will bite humans, if we’re available to them. A small flea problem can very quickly become a big problem, with fleas moving from egg to adult in two to three weeks.
Controlling them requires you to act quickly, and you need to tackle the inside of your house and the yard at the same time.You’re going to need to vacuum your house — carpets and rugs, upholstery and mattresses. Pay attention to any nooks and crannies in your home, such as forgotten corners and spaces under furniture. Using a steam cleaner also is recommended. You’ll need to wash your bed linens in hot water and dry at the hottest setting on your dryer.
Make sure to empty the vacuum, placing the bag or contents from the collection bin inside a plastic bag and disposing of it in the outdoor trash bin. Then wash the washable parts of the vacuum and clean the filter.
If you feel the need to use pesticides, always follow the instructions on the labels, which often requires you to vacate the house for a bit after use. Sprays are preferable over foggers. Getting a couple of lighted traps — insects are attracted by the light and warmth, and get caught on a sticky tray inside — can help you tell if you’ve gotten rid of the fleas and give you advance warning of a new invasion, in case you’ve missed any eggs.
Outdoors, you’re most likely to find fleas in shady, cooler, damp places. If you use pesticides or food-grade diatomaceous earth, use sparingly and focus treatment on these areas. Otherwise, keep your lawn mowed, spread cedar chips in problem areas and avoid overwatering.
Let your neighbor know that the cat has fleas and needs to be treated, otherwise the problem will continue.
DEAR JOAN: We recently noticed a squirrel in our orange tree headed to the fig tree, and his teeth are extremely overgrown. His top teeth are growing down past his chin and his lower ones are up. Obviously he never learned to file his teeth down.
Is there anything we can do for this poor critter? He was staring at us like he needed help.
Mona, Oakland
DEAR MONA: Give him something to gnaw on such as beef bones, deer antlers or a salt block. Then it’s up to him to get busy.
Contact Joan Morris at jmorris@bayareanewsgroup.com.
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Source: www.mercurynews.com