Fleas – Control

Q: I went into the dirt-floored utility room under my house and came out covered with fleas. I don’t have a dog or cat, so how did they get there and how can I control them?

A: Dogs and cats aren’t the only animals fleas feed upon. Possums are good hosts as well. I suspect a possum family has set up housekeeping in your crawl space. Remove them using a cage trap baited with cat food. Thoroughly spray the utility room with a water-based insecticide and repeat a week later. If you fear you brought the fleas upstairs, remember that a through vacuuming once a week is a fine way to keep them at bay.