(NAPSI)-As summer approaches and temperatures heat up, Fido and Fluffy will be itching to play outdoors. However, if proper precautions are not taken, their itching may become scratching. The culprit of this annoyance is fleas. Preventive measures, such as maintaining a clean yard and performing a broadcast lawn application, can stop fleas before they enter the home via the family pet.

According to the Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE), approximately half of all households own either a dog or a cat, many of which become plagued by fleas. While some homeowners think of fleas as just a minor nuisance, flea bites are annoying, painful and cause severe itching to pets and humans. They can also cause medical problems including flea allergy dermatitis, tapeworms, skin irritations and, in extreme cases, anemia.

The life cycle of high jumpers

Adult fleas have dark reddish-brown bodies, averaging 2 to 4 mm in length, with three pairs of legs. As excellent jumpers, fleas leap vertically up to 7 inches and horizontally 13 inches (an equivalent vault for a human would be 250 feet vertically and 450 feet horizontally).

Fleas pass through a complete life cycle consisting of the following stages: egg, larvae, pupa and adulthood. The completion of the life cycle from egg to adulthood varies from two weeks to eight months depending on the flea species, available food, and the environment. Ideal temperatures for the flea's life cycle are 70 F to 85 F and optimum humidity is 70 percent. Adult fleas cannot survive or lay eggs without a blood meal, but may live from two months to one year without feeding.

Preventive "itch" measures

According to Ohio State University's entomology department, pet owners spend over $1 billion controlling fleas each year. Flea control is best achieved with a simultaneous effort involving proper preventive measures and a broadcast lawn application of Dursban insecticide, especially if pets spend ample time in the yard. Since fleas need a host animal to survive, they breed and thrive in outdoor areas where pets and wildlife play, such as a yard or kennel. Squirrels, raccoons, dogs, cats, chipmunks and people make great hosts for fleas laying eggs. These eggs will land in the yard as animals move about, therefore allowing family pets to carry fleas into the house.

A clean yard is the first step in preventing fleas from entering the home. The following guidelines can help prevent flea infestations.

• Trim lawns and shrubs and remove weeds to create a drier, less-ideal environment for flea larvae, since fleas prefer moist locations.
• Avoid keeping piles of sand and gravel near the house for long periods of time, as they offer a suitable environment for larval development.
• Protect pets by fencing yards to prevent them from roaming or coming into contact with infested animals.
• Rake up wet leaves and lawn debris, and store garbage in sealed trash receptacles.

Once preventive measures have been taken against fleas, go one step further by performing a broadcast pesticide lawn application. Dursban insecticide products have been extensively researched and evaluated in more than 3,600 studies. It is the most widely used pesticide in and around American homes, and it provides an effective way to protect families, children and pets from troublesome pests like fleas. This one-two punch can help protect homeowners and their pets from exposure to these insatiable pests.