Helpful Tips On Flea Control and Prevention

Prevention and control of fleas is an issue in many parts of this country as pet owners work to keep their pets healthy and itch-free. The flea’s life span is only two weeks to eight months in length, depending on the species, with much of that being in the larval and pupal stages of life–which don’t affect your dog.

Fleas lay eggs in likely hatching zones where the larvae will best survive once they’ve hatched. Larvae love sand, gravel, loose dirt, cracks and crevices, insides of furniture, and other dry, out-of-the-way places. Eggs take from two days to two weeks to hatch and larvae will wrap themselves into a cocoon and gestate further for another five to fourteen days. At this point, they are virtually immune to chemical pesticides until they emerge as adult fleas.

Flea bites cause a myriad of problems for pets and their owners, including itching and skin problems, hair loss, and infection. Allergies to fleas also cause flea dermatitis. Luckily, there are many ways to deal with fleas to prevent or treat their attacks. Complete treatment will care not only for the pet, but also the pet’s environment, keeping the fleas from reemerging once the pet has been treated.

Around the House and Yard
Fleas can live in many places, including your pet’s bedding, the furniture, in and around cushions, in thick carpeting, and more. Before using any treatment, it’s a good idea to vacuum everything thoroughly to remove debris that might shield the fleas. This will also likely pull up many of the flea eggs, larvae, and adults, so make sure to dispose of the bag as soon as you’re finished vacuuming so they don’t live and grow inside the bag and find an escape later. Simple tasks like washing pet bedding in hot water regularly and keeping pet areas clean will prevent fleas from mounting any major assaults on your pet.

Out in the yard, areas that your pet spends a lot of time in are very susceptible to flea infestations. These include the dog house, flower beds, under and around decks and porches, and in piles of brush, leaves, and debris. Before using any flea treatment, as in your house, make sure all debris and clutter are cleared out to maximize the fleas’ exposure to your treatment. Mow, rake, and sweep areas clear. Prevention includes cleaning the dog house regularly (usually with the garden hose and soap or bleach), vacuuming the car regularly, and sweeping and mopping areas of bare floor, paying special attention the crevices and tight corners.

There are many options for treating affected areas inside and out, just be sure that whichever one you choose, you follow the directions carefully. If you have a serious infestation, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, you’ll probably want to re-treat it again in two or three weeks. Here are a few ways to control fleas on your dog:

Shampoos
Using a flea shampoo and thoroughly bathing and rinsing your dog will kill almost all adult fleas. If you have the capacity (a large tub or container the dog can immerse in), dipping is the most effective method in this regard if you have a serious flea problem. There are “side effects” to dipping, however, such as heavy residues and the fact that your dog and children could become sick if they contact the dip. For most infestations, a good and thorough flea shampooing is enough.

Topicals
These are the “drops” or “rubs” you see on the shelf that are applied between the dog’s shoulder blades, directly on the skin. They last about a month and kill most adult fleas. Some are growth inhibitors for immature fleas as well, but can’t be used on puppies under 8 weeks of age. Bathing reduces this treatment’s effectiveness and longevity.

Orals
For indoor pets, this treatment can be quite effective. Since fleas are naturally attracted to your dog, they will eventually find the dog and bite it (this is where the itching comes from). These pills cause sterility in the fleas, thus eventually killing off the flea population through birth control. This is a long-term solution for light or burgeoning infestations and each pill lasts about a month. Don’t use this for pregnant or nursing dogs.

Naturals
Organic solutions are also available and include a lot of options. Dried pennyroyal (a plant), pyrethrum powder (an extract from flowers), or diatomaceous earth (also called fossilized phytoplankton or DE) are all natural solutions commonly available. These are usually sprinkled around pet areas, into bedding, and even directly on the pet. After a day or two, repeat. Eventually, no more fleas. Pennyroyal should not be used on pregnant or nursing dogs or puppies under 8 weeks. Other natural rememdies include herbal treatments that can be added to your pet’s bath water or even into their food. DE can also be used in carpeting, lawns, gardens, and more without harm and it kills many insects besides just fleas. Often, two or more of the solutions mentioned herein are combined in products you’ll see available.

Fleas are a nasty bunch and can be tricky to get rid of, especially if your infestation is worse than you think it is. Usually, though, with some prevention and diligence, they can be eradicated in just a few days or weeks.

Tyler Jones has writen lots of articles on dog health tips and dog training tips. Check out more of his articles

Tyler Jones loves everything there is about animals, and enjoys writing artiles on all aspects of them.