What action might be ineffective in controlling adult fleas?

Removing pets from the environment may seem like a logical step to mitigate flea infestations; however, it is an ineffective long-term solution for controlling adult fleas. Fleas can live in various areas of the home, such as carpets, furniture, and bedding, where they can continue to reproduce and thrive even without pets present.

Fleas also have a life cycle that includes eggs, larvae, and pupae stages, which can be present in the environment. These stages can survive long periods without a host. Therefore, simply removing pets does not eliminate the adult fleas or their eggs and larvae in the environment.

On the other hand, applying medication to pets can directly target adult fleas on them, while regular cleaning of the living area helps to physically remove fleas and their eggs. Furthermore, flea collars are specifically designed to repel or kill fleas on pets, hence aiding in the control of fleas in the household. These methods can contribute significantly to managing and ultimately controlling flea infestations effectively.