Get Rid of Those Pesky Fleas!
It’s summertime, and you know what that means – fleas. Did you know adult fleas can…
- lay up to 40-50 eggs per day?
- spread tapeworm?
- deposit eggs within 24 hours?
- live for 5 days in freezing temperatures?
- cause allergic reactions, with intense itching and skin irritation for up to 2 weeks on your pet, all due to the saliva from one flea bite?
So, what can you do to get rid of those pesky fleas? Not only do you need to treat your pet, but also the pet’s environment - your home - at the same time. You can see the adult fleas, but what you don't see are the thousands of eggs a single flea can produce, so it's extremely important to begin treatment immediately.
For Your Pet...
First, consult your veterinarian since many flea control treatments require a veterinary prescription, and also to determine the best treatment for your pet since not all options are suitable for both dogs and cats. Here is some information on available flea control treatments:
Advantage
- Stops fleas from biting within 5 minutes.
- Kills most fleas within 12 hours.
- Kills pre-existing larvae in the immediate environment.
- For cats and dogs.
- Monthly application.
Advantix
- For dogs only.
- Stops fleas from biting within 5 minutes.
- Kills adult fleas before they lay eggs.
- Kills most fleas within 12 hours.
- Kills flea larvae in the pet’s surroundings.
- Monthly application.
- Also helps control ticks.
Frontline
- Kills most existing fleas within 24 hours.
- Kills adult fleas, eggs and larvae to keep all stages of fleas from developing.
- Also helps control ticks.
- For cats and dogs.
- Monthly application
Revolution
- Kills most fleas within 36 hours.
- Also helps control intestinal parasites, ear mites and heartworms.
- For dogs and cat.
- Monthly application.
Capstar
- Begins killing adult fleas within 30 minutes.
- Kills most adult fleas within 4 hours.
- For dogs and cat.
- One-time application that can be repeated if re-infestation occurs.
Once you begin flea control application on your pet, don’t forget to begin treating the inside of your home. Since fleas reproduce so rapidly, it's important to kill fleas in each stage of the life cycle.
For Your Home (pet’s environment)...
Indoor Treatment:
- Vacuum regularly and dispose of the bags immediately
- Use a spray product that kills adult fleas, as well as hatching cocoons, and concentrate on areas where your pet spends majority of his time
- Wash all pet bedding in hot water regularly, with drying at high heat for 20 minutues
Outdoor Treatment:
- Focus on shaded, moist areas
- Use a garden hose and then saturate the area
*Note: All environmental products can be toxic to pregnant women, young children, debilitated individuals or pets.
Repeat treatments in 3 weeks to kill remaining adult fleas and hatching cocoons.
Remember that untreated pets will continue to be bothered and infested with fleas, so it’s best to start treatment immediately for your furry friend and his environment.
For more information on flea control, contact your local veterinarian.
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