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Our customer experience team services independent pet specialty retailers from Washington State to Maine.
Ask a question, express a concern, or just say hi! We’re more than happy to hear from you.
Our customer experience team services independent pet specialty retailers from Washington State to Maine.
Ask a question, express a concern, or just say hi! We’re more than happy to hear from you.
Caitlyn Mendonca
September 26, 2018
Summer is officially over, but that doesn’t mean flea season has ended. There is a common misconception that fleas and ticks are exclusively a seasonal concern; they come out in the warmer weather and die off in the colder seasons. We look forward to that first drop in temperature that signals the pests are heading south for the fall/winter months, but are they? Many aren't aware that the dropping temperatures can make the perfect environment for the flea population to surge.
The autumn brings us a respite from the dog days of summer, beautiful changing leaves, and pumpkin spice everything. However, it also brings with it the "fall flea surge". Whats this? Well, recent studies have shown that fleas thrive in the fall. This is largely due to the increase in precipitation and the temperatures that often hover in the low 70s (which is the ideal temperature for fleas). In fact, it has been found that the number of fleas found on animals in the fall months are actually 70 percent higher than those in the spring!
Knowing exactly what months flea season is during will make it easier to help customers looking for assistance this fall. Since many people are on top of providing their pet with preventative treatments in the spring and summer they may not know how to handle a full blown flea infestation unexpectedly.
Here is a rundown of treatment options for their pets and home:
Understanding the flea life cycle can help you drive home the importance of treating your home as well as your pets.
Here are the steps that should be taken to treat your pets environment in the case of an infestation:
Foggers are usually toxic so you and all your pets would need to leave the home for at least two hours when in use. Make sure to protect surfaces with newspaper and TURN OFF pilot lights because they are flammable.
Even in cold weather, fleas can survive in many places, including underground in burrows, in sheds and outbuildings, under decks and around foundations — where the temperatures, food supply and overall conditions are sufficient to maintain a population of reproducing fleas. So, don't take down your flea and tick display just yet because customers will still be looking for product.
Even though time spent outside reduces significantly as the temperature drops, fleas and ticks can easily make their way into the home on clothing and other items, so be sure to use preventative flea and tick care all year round. It’s important to remember to treat the environment as well as your pets.
What's your preferred method of flea and tick treatment? How do you keep your customers informed? Let us know in the comments below!
Caitlyn Mendonca is a Pet Food Experts Marketing team member and has been working in the pet industry for almost 7 years. She has always loved all animals scaly, feathered, and furry. She loves spending time cuddling with her kitty Edgar. Caitlyn is a true Rhode Island native who is always down for chowdah and clam cakes with a side of ice-cold coffee milk!