What an interesting winter we had in the Lowcountry! The
temperatures never got super cold. I never drained my well (every year for the
past 17 years, I have drained my well). The night time temperatures seem to
stay in the high thirties and the day time temperatures stayed around the high
fifties. In the past, we would get more peaks and valleys (some temperatures
freezing in the low to mid-twenties and in March maybe a few days in the eighties).
Fleas love moisture! With the winter we had and the rain
that came with it, I’m thinking fleas are going to be extra bad this year. I do
not have to have a crystal ball or be a genius to figure this out. I have three
stores, and I can look at how many flea control products that we have sold all
winter. Knowing that the weather also favors flea population growth, I can go
out on a limb (a Horticulture pun) and predict that fleas are going to be bad
this year.
Prefurred One or Prefurred Plus are post patented Fipronil
products that you apply directly to your dog or cat every 30 days. Being a “generic”,
the price has dropped significantly (customers tell us 30 to 50 percent off).
Petcor, Biospot or a flea collar will also protect your animal.
Be proactive and treat the house with a product that
contains a growth regulator. Precor 2000, Ultracide, I G regulator, IC3 (National
Organics Program compliant but no growth regulator) and Alpine Flea Insecticide
are a few good products for use in the house. If you apply these products
before you have an issue, your success will be much greater and will save you
from all the vacuuming, washing of beds and the sleepless nights with a
scratching pet.
Treat your yard and bed areas with IC3 (National Organics
Program compliant), Essentria G (National Organics Program compliant), Bug
Blasters, or Sevin.
By treating the family pet, the home and the yard
proactively, you should have good success against the flea. If this sounds like
too much work or something you would rather have a professional tackle, there
are many good Pest Management Professionals in the area.
If you are thinking about aerating this spring, while you
have the holes open in your lawn, some good additives are: SeaHume G, 04-04-04
Bolster, Mule Mix, BGK 7500, Crab Shell and / or Cotton Burr Compost. Get the
full benefit from the aeration!
Always read, understand and follow product label. The
product label is a Federal Law.
