Fleas and Flea Control
If you have pets, they may be bothered by fleas, and the fleas may also bother you.
Fleas
Flea
Flea Bite on Human
Fleas are very small blood-sucking insects that feed on dogs, cats, other available animals. They will even bite humans.
The fleas mostly bother the pets. Pet owners may not be bothered by fleas as long as their pet is always around to be the host for fleas. However if the pet is gone for awhile, then the fleas will look for another place to go, like to a nearby human.
Most pet owners feel sorry for their pets when they see them constantly scratching, as the flea bites itch and cause them to be uncomfortable. It is even worse when the pet owner is bitten by fleas. A flea bite is intensely itchy and secondary infections are common.
It is best to get rid of the fleas, then neither the pet or the pet owner will be bothered.
Control - Getting Rid of Fleas
Comb your pet. Flea combs are very effective tools in the suppression of adult fleas. They allow hair to pass through the tines but not the fleas, removing fleas as well as flea feces and dried blood. When fleas are caught by the comb, deposit them in hot soapy water to kill them.
Vacuuming your home to remove eggs, larvae and adults is the best method for initial control of a flea infestation. It is important to vacuum carpets, cushioned furniture, cracks and crevices on floors and along baseboards.
Pay particular attention to areas where pets sleep. Wash all pet bedding in hot soapy water every two to three weeks. If an infestation is severe, discard old pet bedding and replace it with fresh, clean material.
In some cases it may be necessary to steam clean carpets, as the hot steam and soap can kill fleas in all stages of the life cycle.
Flea Collars
Flea collars are available for dogs and cats. These collars are impregnated with an insecticide that is toxic to fleas. These have become less popular in recent years as their effectiveness is inconsistent or poor. They protect the neck area of the pet, but not much more. In addition, children petting the dog or cat can get the insecticide on their hands, which is not a good thing.
Follow this link to see Flea Collars
Topical Flea Control
Topical flea control products contain insecticide ingredients that are applied to your pet and will protect it from fleas for about a month. You apply these ingredients using an applicator tube. Typically you part some hairs, and find some skin, usually on the back between the shoulder blades, then apply the contents of the applicator tube. The active ingredients spread via body oils to hair follicles and then kill the insects. These products contain two ingredients, one kills adult insects , and the other prevents any laid eggs from hatching.
Topical flea control products recommended by veterinarians include:
Frontline Plus, Advantage II
and K9 Advanatix II. A summary of these products is shown in the following table.
| Product | Available For | Insects Killed | Active Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontline Plus | Dogs | Fleas | Fibronil |
| Cats | Ticks | S methoprene | |
| Lice | |||
| Advantage II | Dogs | Fleas | Imidacloprid |
| Cats | Lice | Pyriproxyfen | |
| K9 Advantix II | Dogs | Fleas | Imidacloprid |
| Ticks | Permethrin | ||
| Mosquitos | Pyriproxyfen | ||
| Lice | |||
| Flies |
Fibronil, Imidacloprid, and Permethrin are insecticides. S methoprene and Pyriproxyfen are growth regulators.
These products are applied once a month and are water resistant. Some of these products come in different strengths, depending on the weight of your pet.
Typically one would buy a six pack that would cover your pet for 6 months and would cost between $40 and $60.
These flea control products are available at Amazon Flea Control
Credit: Flea photo courtesy of Parasite and Diseases Library, Australia.
Books About Fleas and How to Control Them
Guard Your Pet From Fleas: Step by Step Guide - Kindle Edition
- by Nelly Bufala - 2012
If you're looking for how to get rid of fleas and keeping them from coming back... if you've heard conflicting advice about the best way to treat your flea-infested pet... or you're just curious about what fleas are and why they find our pets so attractive...then this book was written just for you. Some flea treatments work EXTREMELY well to getting fleas to find another home...and others don't work as well. The key is in knowing what to look for... What specific things could tip you off that a treatment works... and what you should look out for that would tell you it's a total scam. And you don't need to know a lot of stuff. You don't have to be a "flea expert" or a veterinarian.
Flea Control: How to Get Rid of
Fleas Naturally - Kindle Edition
- by Barry Silverstein - 2009
They may look small and seem harmless � but fleas are a BIG problem. In fact, they are one of the most common, most frustrating problems pet owners face. If you own a dog or cat, it is almost certain at one time or another that you will have to deal with fleas. There are many commercial products available to prevent, control, and kill fleas, but the majority of these products contain unsafe, harmful ingredients. Often these ingredients are toxic to the very animals they are supposed to protect � and can even do harm to you and your family. As a result, you may wish to minimize the use of such products and instead use natural methods and substances to control and eliminate fleas. This authoritative, carefully researched eBook includes detailed information about how to fight fleas outside and inside the home, and how to prevent and control fleas on dogs and cats, using natural, safe and effective methods.
Natural Flea Control For Cats Made Simple - by Liz Eastwood - 2012
This little booklet tells you how to remove and prevent fleas in a safe, natural, easy way. * Discover a natural method that actually works * Get rid of and prevent fleas with clear, simple steps * Avoid natural flea products that are actually toxic to cats and hazardous to eyes and lungs * Save the $100 per year you would have spent on chemical products * Do it all without fighting with your cat over things like flea dips Topics include: The secret to getting rid of fleas naturally, Easy year-round flea prevention plan, Flea control checklist, Problem solving, Natural flea control methods to avoid, The trouble with chemical products, Resource list. (Booklet: 46 pages). Note: This booklet was designed for cats because they have special needs, but it works for your dog too!
