The products typically are dusted onto carpets and brushed in so the powder can reach larvae deep within the carpet. Hinkle cautioned that the borate products are difficult to find because there are lingering questions about potential toxicity to mammals. Options for outdoor control of fleas are numerous. Animals must be removed from the yard when these granular or liquid formulations are applied and watered into the la wn. These products need to be watered into the yard because flea larvae occupy the top quarter-inch of soil, she said.
Eggs can drop off pets in areas where they nap, such as doormats and under favorite trees.
The insect growth regulators work by preventing immature fleas from becoming adults, by inhibiting either their growth or development of the body wall.