Control fleas on pets is a complex process. Adult fleas eggs, larvae, and pupae are four stages of flea life cycle. Adult fleas live mostly on animal, but the flea eggs, larvae, and pupae are found in abundance in the environment such as in Floor cracks,carpeting, rugs, bedding, and grass. If your pet has one flea, there are likely to be hundreds of eggs and larvae in your home and yard.So a successful flea control program always includes treating the environment and your pet.
Flea Control in the Indoor Flea Environment
Indoor flea control involves combing and removing the fleas, killing any remaining adults, and preventing immature forms from developing. Start by vacuuming thoroughly, especially below drapes, under furniture edges, and where your pet sleeps.Vacuuming can remove up to 50% of flea eggs. Vacuum daily in high traffic areas, weekly in others. Each time, seal your vacuum bag in a plastic bag and discard it immediately.
1. Use a product that will kill any remaining adult fleas and also stop the development of eggs and larvae. You will need a product that contains both an adulticide and an insect growth regulator (IGR), such as Nylar (pyriproxyfen) or methoprene. This can be in the form of carpet powders, foggers, or sprays. Foggers are especially good for large open areas. Surface sprays can reach areas such as baseboards, moldings, cracks, and under furniture where foggers cannot reach. Choose the product(s) you use with care, taking into account the presence of children, fish, birds, persons with asthma, etc. In severe infestations, you may need the help of a professional exterminator.
2. Wash your pet’s bedding weekly and treat the bed and surrounding area with a product that contains both an adulticide and an insect growth regulator.
3. Do not forget to also clean and treat your automobile, pet carrier, garage, basement, or any other place your pet spends much time.
Flea Control in the Outdoor Environment:
Outdoor flea control generally involves eliminating the habitat in the yard and kennel areas where fleas are most likely to occur. Fleas live in moist, warm, shady ares in organic debris. They will also tend to be where pets spend more of their outdoor time like patios, under porches, dog houses, etc Remove any organic debris such as leaves, straw, grass clippings, etc., to disturb flea habitat. Do not feed wild animals like opossums, raccoon, chipmunks and other small rodents who carry fleas. Use flea Control on Your Pet regularly
Now that we’ve taken care of the fleas in your home and in your yard, it’s time to eliminate the fleas that are on your pet. There are a number of flea control products for use on pets, including once-a-month topical products, sprays, dips, shampoos, collars, powders, oral. With any product applied directly to the pet, please remember that you may see some live fleas on your pet for a short time after spraying, shampooing, dipping, etc. In order for the fleas to die, they must come into contact with the insecticide, and absorb it.
Keep in mind that until all of the fleas problem in your home have gone, you may see some fleas, even on a treated pet, as some immature flea form may continue to develop.Patience is the key here. It is important to keep following an effective flea control program for a long enough time to get rid of all of the fleas, in all life stages. This may take up to 6 months or more, depending on your particular situation.
Once-a-month Topicals: Once-a-month topical application is the most common way to prevent fleas and ticks. They are applied to a small area on your pet’s back, are probably the easiest product to use, and it last the longest. Some kill fleas and ticks, and others just kill fleas, so check the label carefully.There are separate flea products for Dog and Cat . Shampoos: Flea and tick shampoos help to primarily rid the pet of the fleas and ticks he already has on him, although some have residual activity. To properly use a flea & tick shampoo you must be sure to work the shampoo in over the entire body and then leave it on at least 10 minutes before you rinse it off. Again, remember to protect the eyes and ears of the pet. Shampoos often contain pyrethrins. Collars: Flea & Tick Collars can be effective, but must be applied properly. To get the right degree of snugness, you should just be able to get two fingers between the collar and your pet’s neck. Be sure to cut off any excess portion of the collar after you have properly applied it. Otherwise, that animal or other pets may try to chew on the end. Check the package for information on duration of effectiveness since some collars lose effectiveness when they get wet, e.g., if your dog swims a lot. Watch carefully for any irritation under the collar. If this occurs, you may need to use a different product. Do NOT use collars containing Amitraz, permethrin, or organophosphates on cats. Oral and Injectable Products: Program, a product containing an insect development inhibitor is available as a tablet for dogs and cats and as an injectable for cats. The tablets are given once a month; the injection is given every 6 months. Program does not kill the adult fleas, so if you have fleas, you MUST also use something to kill the adults. Capstar, another oral product, is approved for use in dogs and cats. It will kill adult fleas, but only for a period of 24 hours or less. It is useful in situations such as boarding, grooming, and prior to surgery. Because Capstar is out of your pet’s system in 24 hours, it should be followed with a longer-lasting product that will work on both adult and immature fleas. Comfortis is an oral product that kills adult fleas. Flea Combs: Flea combs are often overlooked as a valuable tool in removing fleas. Your pet will love the extra, hands-on attention he gets as you comb through his coat. Flea combs are absolutely non-toxic and are the best method to use on ill, pregnant, or infant pets. Be sure to choose a comb that has 32 teeth/inch. Comb your pet and then place the fleas you comb off in detergent water, which will kill them. The disadvantage to flea combing is that it takes a considerable amount of time, and will not be effective in pets that have flea bite hypersensitivity. . Adulticides (products that kill adult fleas) are a cornerstone of prevention. Pyrethrins and permethrins have flea repellent activity.