Based on the limited information provided above, it sounds like you have a bad problem which will require a lot of flea treatment to be done to break the current flea cycle. For situations like this, we always suggest you use the Permethrin and Growth Regulator. With the Permethrin, you'll be able to apply a fresh amount of adulticide out over and over which in turn will provide adequate control of the adults and make the situation more manageable. Be sure to apply enough. Most homes will need 2-3 gallons applied if they have a lot of carpet; 1 gallon per 500-1000 sq/ft should do the job. Use the growth regulator with the first tank mix and then again 2 months later but in between, spray with the Permethrin as much as is needed to make the home tolerable to all who live there. It would also be wise to set up some flea traps as they will help reduce the local population too.

Once the problem is under control which will only happen following some heavy flea carpet treatments are done, you can then change over to the once a year flea carpet granules and rely on them to provide a good long lasting flea treatment. The problem is they don't work quickly and based on your situation, I don't think you'll be happy if you use them now. And don't forget the pets. If you keep them flea free by paying them some attention daily, you will be able to get this problem under control eventually. Good luck!

As our on line FLEA CONTROL ARTICLE explains, the cocoon or flea pupa (the third stage) can lay in a dormant stage on pets and in the home for a long time. Since the average adult flea only lives 7-14 days, pupae won't hatch unless there are people in the homes you're selling. In other words, the fleas that do come out will die off quickly if they don't find a host on which to feed. And instinctively they know this so they won't hatch unless they "feel" a food supply (a person or a pet) close to them and moving. Since you aren't in every area of the home each time you visit, no doubt there will be pupae still dormant laying in wait for many months after someone with an active flea problem leaves a house vacant. Only after all the pupae on the property do hatch will the cycle finally be done and the problem will go away. Till then the best you can do is wear a flea repellent which will keep them off you when visiting a flea infested property.

The two actives you mentioned are in fact two really good flea repellents. We have a 100% ODORLESS DEET formulation which works quite well. Use it on exposed skin such as the ankles and legs below the knee if you're wearing shorts. In the home one application a day should do the job. For clothing, we have a PERMETHRIN AEROSOL which should be applied to shoes, socks and pants. Fleas which hatch out onto treated skin or clothing will die. For your visits to homes with fleas a combination of these two products should keep them off you while on the premises.

Here are direct links to the products mentioned above:

Flea Control:  http://www.flea.net/flea-control

100% Deet:  http://www.bugspray.com/item/100_deet.html

Permethrin Aerosol:  http://www.bugspray.com/item/741031.html