5 Simple Tips to Controlling Fleas in Your House
#1 Rapid Flea Control - Capstar
Once fleas are located on your pet a rapid acting adulticide should be given to all dogs and cats in your house. Capstar is the most recommended drug due to its proven efficacy and safety margin. Capstar may be given to dogs/cats as young as 4 weeks old and repeated every 24-72 hrs as needed. This will kill all the fleas on your pets with in 6 hours. Since the lifecycle of the flea is 16 days, the treatment should be repeated at 2 and 4 weeks.
#2 Long Acting Flea Control- Advantage , Frontline
A monthly flea medication should be used to allow long term Protectant from flea bites. Frontline provides excellent flea and tick control. It kills 95% of fleas at 30 days after application, plus allows your pets to be washed biweekly. Advantage is also an excellent product and seems to have the least adverse effects on cats.
#3 Mechanical Cleaning
Wash all materials that have been in contact with your pets. Especially places were your pets sleep including human bedding ie: sheets, comforters and pillow cases.
#4 Vacuum
Make sure to vacuum areas where the pets sleep. After the larvae fall off your pets they spin cocoons in the carpet for pupation. Pupae are resistant to freezing, desiccation and insecticides. Pupae can lie dormant for months until stimulated by vibration, warmth or carbon dioxide. Vacuum spots commonly frequented by your pets such as under desks, closets and under the bed. These spots are the perfect breeding area for fleas since they are usually dark low traffic areas. Once the vibrations from the vacuum stimulate the pupae to become adults they are susceptible to the flea control products.
Repeat vacuuming daily for a week. Empty the contents of the vacuum IMMEDIATELY and remove the trash from the house to insure the eggs do not hatch.
#5 Area Restriction
Limit time spent at flea infested areas such as leash free beaches, dog parks etc. Especially during the summer months when fleas are most abundant. A dose of Capstar may be repeated after visiting these flea infested areas for immediate protection.
For more information of Flea treatments:
***Caution- May products purchased over the counter at pet stores can be very dangerous for your animals. Products with pymethrins can cause signs such as salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, paw flicking and hyperesthesia. Neurotoxic effects include tremors, and seizures are seen following excessive exposures.
Flea Treatments
Capstar
Frontline
Advantage
Program
Related Articles
Flea Medications
Comparison of top vet recommended flea medications. What certain flea medications are good for and when you should use them.
Internal Pet Parasites
There are many kinds of parasites that can live in your pet. These parasites can hurt both you and your pet. Know how to treat these parasites and prevent transmissions of diseases to your family
Pet Fleas
The basics of Fleas. Clues that your pet may have a flea problem and what to do about your pet's flea infestation.