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Flea Traps
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May not eliminate an infestation -
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Summary: Flea traps attract and
capture fleas on sticky boards. Traps may not
eliminate an active infestation by themselves but
are useful as a sort of "early warning system" in
large facilities like kennels. If an infestation is
detected early steps can be taken to stop it before
it develops too far.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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What are flea traps?
Flea traps are
designed to capture adult fleas on a sticky surface.
Fleas are attracted to the trap by a combination of
light and heat. Generally the traps consist of a
small light bulb, which provides the heat and light,
suspended over a sticky mat. Fleas jump toward the
light and land on the sticky surface where they are
trapped.
Do flea traps work?
Yes and no. Flea traps
do attract and capture fleas but they won't
eliminate an active infestation. The reason is
simple -- your pets are far more attractive to fleas
than are traps, since fleas are adapted to finding
a suitable host rather than a light bulb. So,
in the competition for a flea's attention your pet
"wins".
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Adult cat
flea (1/10"-1/5"). Adult fleas move
between the host animal and the "nest", or
pet bedding.
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Should I use flea traps?
Probably not unless you
manage a kennel. In terms of eliminating fleas, flea
traps don't work very well because they only trap a
fraction of the flea population. The best approach to
flea control is to use the relatively new flea
medications like Frontline (tm) and Advantage
(tm) that are applied directly on the animal, combined
with treating bedding with methoprene (see Related Articles
below). If the new flea medications are too expensive
then the next best approach is to combine regular
flea shampooing and combing with treatment of bedding
with methoprene (see How to
Control Fleas & Ticks).
There is, however, one
good use for flea traps. Since they do trap fleas they
can be used as a sort of early warning system. In
large facilities, like kennels, a small flea
infestation may go unnoticed. Placing a few traps
around may uncover a small, easily controlled
infestation, before it gets out of hand.
How to Control Fleas
With New Medications
Using
Methoprene to Disrupt Flea Development
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Mission: To
provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information
for solving common insect and mite problems around
your home, business and landscape using least-toxic
methods.
Jack DeAngelis,
Ph.D.
Please see the Disclaimer statements as
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