Problem Species + Their Sources

The most common flea species encountered by PMPs were cat fleas (86 percent), dog fleas (58 percent) and sand fleas (14 percent), found the 2022 PCT State of the Flea Control Market survey.

These fleas did not appear in greater numbers. In fact, 60 percent of PMPs said the incidence of flea infestations remained constant in their markets over the past year.

What caused customer flea problems? A common reason, said PMPs in follow-up interviews, was customers not treating their pets with topical flea treatments, whether supplied by the veterinarian or purchased over the counter.

Customers without pets got fleas from their neighbors’ pets, especially in communities with small yards, and from wildlife.

“Occasionally people will end up with a flea problem because of mice coming into the home, squirrels. The ectoparasites come in that way,” said Charles Fyfe, Envirocare Pest Control.

When PMPs did get called to control fleas, the problem often was significant.

“Fleas don’t make up a great deal of what we do, but when people call for fleas it’s a situation that’s so extreme that 99 percent of the time, they’ve already tried to fix it themselves and only made it worse,” said Trey Howard, Bug Out Pest Solutions.