Flea and tick infestation? Your fave vet may not be your best bet. Read on to find out why.
Flea Control for Dogs
Keeping fleas and ticks from biting your dog is a good way to protect him (and you!) from many diseases. Some products protect against fleas only, while others protect against both ticks and fleas and may protect against additional parasites. Most will aim to kill these pests, but offer no prevention and protection.
Fleas are small, wingless insects that are known for their ability to infest homes and yards, and for the itchy bites they inflict on animals and humans. They are typically spread by pets, such as cats and dogs, but can also be brought into a home by wild animals or through the use of secondhand furniture or carpets. The adults are ravenous blood-feeders, consuming up to 15 times their body weight in blood per day. Unlike most household pests, fleas bite dogs and cats as well as people. The bites can cause intense itching and irritation in not only animals but in humans as well. Fleas can also transmit tapeworms and bacterial infections. The pests are highly prolific — the biting adult stage might be living on the pet, in addition to hundreds or thousands of eggs, larvae, and pupae elsewhere in the home or yard. If early signs of fleas are ignored, infestations can quickly spiral out of control. University of Kentucky
A flea life cycle goes from egg to larva to pupa and then finally an adult flea that feasts on the blood of dogs or cats . An adult flea can live up to one year in ideal situations (i.e, attached to your healthy dog or cat) but only about one to two weeks if no host is present. Female fleas lay eggs while attached to the host. These eggs are unattached and they will slowly drop to the ground where they remain until hatching. Flea eggs typically hatch in two to 12 days. The resulting flea larvae are small, whitish in color and have no legs. While they lack appendages, these larvae do have strong, well-developed mouths. The larval stage is shorter in the summer, taking four to 24 days to enter the pupal stage. For the rest of the year, the process can take up to 200 days. Flea larvae eat their own skin shedding, waste from adult fleas and organic debris including hair and dead skin cells. Frequent vacuuming and cleaning can decrease the food supply for these flea larvae. But aside from keeping the surroundings clean, calling a pest control company can help prevent the recurrence of flea infestation in your homes and in your dogs.
The three stages of immature fleas (flea eggs, larvae, and pupae) are often found burrowed into deep carpets, blankets, under pet bedding or rugs to avoid light. They can also be found under the furniture and in baseboards of the house.
A vet (and medication) can only address the fleas on your furbaby’s body and only for a period of time. No matter how good your vet is, and how effective their medication is, when fleas invade your homes, it will only be a matter of time before the fallen eggs will start developing into adult fleas and your beloved dog or cat will start scratching again – unless you also treat your homes for fleas, ticks and larvae that fell off from your pet/s. A flea infestation at home is best addressed by an expert.
No matter how good your vet is, and how effective their medication is, when fleas invade your homes, it will only be a matter of time before the medication wears off and your beloved dog or cat will start scratching again.
Flea Control for Home
The first step in controlling a flea infestation is to thoroughly vacuum all carpets, upholstered furniture, and pet bedding in your home. Vacuuming helps to remove adult fleas, eggs, and larvae, and also helps to break up the flea life cycle. You should also wash all bedding, including pet bedding, in hot water, as this will kill any fleas or eggs that may be present.
What Can Kill Fleas Instantly
If vacuuming and washing alone do not eliminate the infestation, you may need to use a pesticide. There are several different types of pesticides that can be used to control fleas, including:
- Inorganic pesticides: These are made from minerals and metals, such as borates and diatomaceous earth, and are used to kill fleas by dehydrating them. They are relatively safe to use and are not toxic to animals or humans.
- Organic pesticides: These are made from natural materials, such as plant oils and extracts, and are used to kill fleas by suffocating them. They are also relatively safe to use and are not toxic to animals or humans.
- Synthetic pesticides: These are made from chemicals, such as pyrethrins and permethrins, and are used to kill fleas by attacking their nervous systems. They are more toxic than inorganic or organic pesticides and should be used with caution.
No matter what type of pesticide you choose, it is important to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and to use the product only as directed. You should also take care to keep children and pets away from the area being treated until the pesticide has dried or been removed.
Alternative Flea Treatments
Another way to control fleas is to treat your pets with flea medication. There are various flea medication options available. such as flea collar, spot-on treatment and oral medication. These medications will kill adult fleas and also prevent fleas from laying eggs on the pets, breaking the flea life cycle.
Prevention is also key part of flea control, so make sure to keep your yard clean and well-maintained. This will reduce the likelihood that fleas will be attracted to your property.
Overall, getting rid of fleas can be a difficult task, but with a combination of vacuuming, washing, pesticide application, and flea medication, you should be able to effectively eliminate the infestation and prevent it from returning.
Tercopex Pest Management Services love dogs, and we’re to help you get rid of fleas in your home! Call us at 0998-5454-541 or chat us anytime on Facebook Messenger!