Flea bites can cause skin irritations as well as serious allergies in pets and humans. Fleas can be a problem in urban residential areas. Occasionally, a problem exists in nonresidential buildings where feral dogs, cats, skunks, rodents, or urban wildlife reside. Flea management or control lends itself well to urban integrated pest management practices. Monitoring infestations is necessary in any flea management program.
Monitoring indicates whether fleas are present.
A person walks through the suspected infested area with knee high white socks for a certain length of time and counts the fleas that jump on the socks. While it is quick and easy, the results are questionable. Other more reliable methods include a hand-held vacuum device with a handkerchief inserted into the dust bag and a variety of light trap devices developed to help monitor and control fleas. Cat fleas will orient toward specific light wave lengths and are more attracted to lights that are suddenly and temporarily interrupted. Properly designed light traps can be effective monitoring tools and control devices.