Fact About Fleas
Fleas are a nuisance to their hosts, causing an itching sensation which in turn may result in the host attempting to remove the pest by biting, pecking, scratching the vicinity of the parasite.
Fleas are not simply a source of annoyance, however. Some people and animals suffer allergic reactions to flea saliva resulting in rashes. Flea bites generally result in the formation of a slightly-raised swollen itching spot with a single puncture point at the center. The bites often appear in clusters or lines, and can remain itchy and inflamed for up to several weeks afterwards. Fleas can also lead to hair loss as a result of frequent scratching and biting by the animal, and can cause anemia in extreme cases.
Adult fleas (the biting stage seen by pet owners) spend most of their time on the animal, not in the carpet. This is why treatment of the pet in conjunction with the pet's environment is an essential step in ridding a home of fleas.
Adult fleas lay all of their eggs (up to 50 per day) on the pet. However, the eggs soon fall off the animal into carpeting, beneath the cushions of furniture, and wherever else the pet rests, sleeps or spends most of its time. This is where homeowners should focus control measures.
After hatching, flea eggs develop into tiny, worm-like larvae. Larvae remain hidden deep in carpet fibers, beneath furniture cushions and in other protected areas. The larvae feed mainly on adult flea feces (dried blood) which accumulates, along with the eggs, in pet resting and activity areas.
Before becoming adult fleas, the larvae transform into pupae within a silk-like cocoon. Pupae remain inside the cocoon for 2 to 4 weeks, sometimes longer. The cocoon is resistant to insecticides and this is why some adult fleas are seen for an extended period, even after the home and pet are treated.
Getting Rid of Fleas
Clean Environment
Thoroughly and regularly clean areas where fleas and flea eggs are found. Vacuum floors, rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, and crevices around baseboards and cabinets daily or every other day. Vacuuming is very effective in picking up adults and stimulating preemerged adults to leave their cocoons.
Flea eggs can survive and develop inside vacuum bags and adults may be able to escape to the outside, so immediately destroy bags by burning or by sealing them in a plastic trash bag and placing them in a covered trash container. Launder pet bedding in hot, soapy water at least once a week. Thoroughly clean items brought into the building, such as used carpets or upholstered furniture, to prevent these from being a source of flea infestation.
Clean Your Dog
It is important that the pet be treated in conjunction with the premises, preferably on the same day. Adult fleas spend virtually their entire life on the animal -- not in the carpet. Untreated pets will continue to be bothered by fleas. They may also transport fleas in from outdoors, eventually overcoming the effectiveness of the insecticide applied inside the home.
Prevention Tips
Trim lawns and weeds to create a drier, less-ideal environment for flea larvae. Avoid piles of sand and gravel around the home for long periods of time. Fence yards to prevent dogs from roaming freely in heavily infested areas or contacting other infested animals.
Discourage nesting or roosting of rodents and birds on or near the premises. Screen or seal vents, chimneys, crevices, etc. where rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, etc. may use to enter crawlspaces and buildings.
Wash or destroy pet bedding, regularly groom pets and vacuum frequently to remove up to 95 percent of the flea eggs, some larvae and adults. Only about 20 percent of the larvae might be removed when vacuuming since they wrap themselves around the bottom strands of carpeting.
Flea Control Products
Applications
Frontline Plus - states to be effective against all stages of the brown dog tick, the American dog tick, lone star tick and deer ticks (the major carrier of Lyme disease). Frontline Plus also kills flea eggs and flea larvae as well as chewing lice.
K9 Advantix - is a once a month topical application used for the prevention and treatment of fleas, mosquitoes and ticks including deer ticks (the major carrier of Lyme disease), American dog ticks, Brown dog ticks and lone star ticks.
Advantage - states to stops fleas from biting in 3-5 minutes and kill 98-100% of the fleas on dogs and cats within 12 hours of application.
Revolution - is a topical parasiticide used in the treatment or prevention of heartworm disease, fleas, the American dog tick, ear mites and canine sarcoptic mange in dogs.
Bio Spot by Farnam - states to be a flea and tick control that kills and repels adult fleas for up to 4 weeks, kills flea eggs and larvae for up to 4 months, and kills and repels ticks for up to 4 weeks including deer ticks, brown ticks & American dog ticks.
Proticall - claims to have fast action to kill & repel ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, dog lice, & mites. Repels ticks away from the skin's surface. Remains effective after brief water immersion.
Oral treatments
Sentinel Flavor Tabs - claims to prevent heartworm disease and flea populations in dogs and puppies. Also controls adult hookworm infections and removes and controls adult roundworm and whipworm infections.
Program Flavor Tabs - states to be effective in preventing flea eggs and larvae from developing. This breaks the flea life cycle at its base and effectively wipes out the flea population.
Capstar - claims to be fast acting. Capstar begins to kill adult fleas on the pet within 30 minutes and the effect lasts for 24 hours.
Collars
Virbac - claims to kills ticks for three months. Effective within 24 hours and continues to actively kill ticks for the next three months as long as the collar is worn.
Zema - claims to have dual action formula-double layer sustained release system containing three active ingredients for fast acting, quick kill and long lasting head to tail protection. Fresh clean scent provides a pleasant fragrance for pets and people.
Home & Yard
Zodiac Fogger is used in family rooms, great rooms, garages and kennels. Claims to reaches fleas hidden in carpets, rugs, drapes, upholstery, pet bedding and floor cracks. Also kills cockroaches, ants, spiders, mosquitoes and silverfish.
Virbac Yard spray claims to kill fleas and ticks outdoors including Deer Ticks and other species that carry and transmit Lyme Disease.
Zodiac Carpet & Upholstery Powder For carpets, shake powder evenly across carpet surface. Brush lightly with broom to force powder into carpet where fleas and their larvae exist. Wait at least 60 minutes before lightly vacuuming to remove visible, surface powder.
Shampoos
Ectokyl Thoroughly soak animal with water. Apply shampoo on head, avoiding eyes then lather. Repeat this procedure with the neck, chest, middle and hind quarters. Allow lather to remain for 3-5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Flea and Tick Shampoo kills fleas and ticks, ends snarls and tangles, leaves pet smelling fresh and sweet and cleans thoroughly.
Sprays
Frontline Spray - claims to provides fast acting, effective flea and tick control. It is effective against all stages of the brown dog tick, the American dog tick, lone star tick and deer ticks (the major carrier of Lyme disease). It is also used to kill fleas.
Adams Flea & Tick Mist - claims to be a “quick kill” insecticide, repellent and deodorant spray for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens 12 weeks of age and older.
Zodiac Flea & Tick Spray - claims to provide a dual-action formula with an adulticide, which kills and repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.
**Because these products contain chemicals that can be bothersome to older dogs, please consult with your vet before using!
Natural Flea Control Basics - Protection For the Animal
Diet: Diet is the foundation of health. Nothing you give your dog or cat can do as much good for their health, immunity and resistance to parasites such as fleas as a proper diet.
Supplements: Essential Fatty Acids will help build the immune system and boost the health of the skin and coat. Digestive Enzymes will help him get the most nutrition from his food and aid the digestive process. Garlic and B vitamins tend to make the animal less tasty to fleas, so many guardians supplement with garlic & brewer's yeast (a good source of vitamin B1), during flea season to help their companions ward off attacks. Keep in mind that some animals are allergic to brewer's yeast, so watch closely the first week or so to make sure the itching doesn’t get worse.
The ultimate weapon in the battle with fleas is the Flea Comb. Removing and killing the adults (by drowning them in soapy water) can prevent a lot of future fleas being hatched.
For repelling fleas, we recommend Neem Oil products. Neem oil spray, shampoo, and conditioner not only helps repel fleas, but also helps sooth and heal irritated skin. Bite This! essential oil blend is another good repellent for use on dogs.
For killing fleas once they are on your pet, we recommend natural flea powders. Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy is a powder made from diatomaceous earth that is safe for use on dogs and cats, as well as around the home.
Bathing your companion is an excellent way to kill fleas. Use a neem oil shampoo or an oatmeal shampoo if your companion has irritated skin and leave the lather on for 5–10 minutes before rinsing well.
Treating the Home
Vacuuming and washing the hard floors often – daily during the height of flea season – is the least toxic way to control fleas. This will remove most of the adults, and some eggs and larvae. Vacuum some Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy or an herbal flea powder into the vacuum bag to kill any fleas in the bag, or remove the bag and discard it in a sealed plastic bag after use.
Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy, discussed above, can be used on carpeting, on the pet’s bedding, on furniture and on hard floors. It is a very fine powder similar in consistency to talcum powder, so it gets into cracks and crevices on hardwood and linoleum floors easily. It acts more quickly than boric acid products – a difference in the flea population can be noticeable in 24–48 hours.
Boric acid products, such as Fleabusters and Fleago, work in a similar fashion to the diatomaceous earth by dehydrating the fleas. When applied correctly, they offer protection for up to a year or more as they remain deep in the carpet fibers. They may take up to 2 weeks or longer for results to be noticeable, however.
Treating the Yard
Rake up any leaves and keep the grass cut. Watering can help drown the larvae as well. A majority of the fleas and larvae will be within 50 feet of your companion’s favorite spot to rest, so focus on those areas. Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy can be applied to grass to kill fleas in the yard by sprinkling the powder or applying with a hose sprayer.
Beneficial Nematodes are another way to control fleas in the yard. Beneficial nematodes are a flea parasite (mother nature always has a balancing mechanism). They are tiny little bugs that prey on both adult fleas and larvae, which may be purchased at a local nursery or greenhouse.
Source: Our friends at Only Natural Pet Store
Complete line of natural flea control products can be found at the Only Natural Pet Store
Other Flea Resources
Articles
Dog Parasite - Fleas are small (1/16 to 1/8-inch (1.5 to 3.3 mm) long), agile, usually dark colored (e.g. the reddish-brown of the cat flea), wingless insects with tube-like mouthparts adapted to feeding on the blood of their hosts. Read More
Fleas - Understanding the life cycle of the flea is necessary in order to control it. The flea has several stages to its life cycle. Adult fleas spend most of their time on the dog or cat - they must be dislodged to leave since they will not do so voluntarily. Read More
Identifying Fleas - How many times have you heard or said the following: My dog is always scratching but I can't find any fleas. Fleas are very adept at avoiding detection, it is often easier to look for flea dirt on your dog than the fleas themselves.Read More