Posted April 6, 2020 in General, Pet Blog by Renee Jones
Do you dread flea season? Most of us do, because it’s a little being the ringmaster or juggler in a three ring “flea” circus! And, like any circus, if you don’t get your ticket and get in line early, you’re likely to miss some of the best acts! It’s the same with planning your strategy for the war on fleas. If you don’t start early, the “flea” circus will start without you! Getting rid of fleas is tough enough when you aren’t behind. Once you start seeing fleas, even one or two, you are already behind and looking at a long and arduous process to get ahead. If you live in a part of the country that has bitterly cold winters you may question whether you really need to treat your dog or cat with flea/tick medication throughout the winter. After all, birds fly south, bears hibernate and most living things that flourished outdoors are either dead, frozen or in hiding. But what about fleas and ticks?
To prevent a full blown flea infestation, fleas must be control at every stage of their life cycle. Understanding the life cycle of the flea will help you get rid of the fleas you have and prevent further infestation.
While female fleas can only reproduce for a month or two as adults, they can release over 2,000 eggs in this short time (up to 50 a day). As your dog moves around, flea eggs disperse into the surroundings including carpet, bedding, and the backyard.
Flea larvae hatch from the eggs in one to 10 days. They feed on organic debris, don’t like sunlight and live in moist, dark areas such as:
Larvae turn into pupae by enclosing themselves in a sticky, silk-like cocoon. They usually emerge as adult fleas one to two weeks later, but can stay in their cocoons for weeks or months waiting for a host, like your dog, to live on (like your dog). This is why many people experience flea infestations and flea bites after returning from vacation or moving into a house. If a flea cannot find a dog or cat to jump on, it is not uncommon for them to jump on and bite people.
Full-grown fleas are the ones you normally see, and they begin biting almost immediately after getting onto your dog. Contrary to popular belief, fleas do not jump from pet to pet or fly because they do not have wings. They stay on one pet biting, feeding, and laying eggs for up to several months.
Facing a flea infestation may make you feel like you’ve let them down. But fleas are stealthy, hitching a ride on your pet during neighborhood walks, play dates, backyard business, and even through human contact. Some telltale signs of a flea infestation on your dog include:
Fighting a flea infestation on your pet can be emotional and a lot of work. It’s important to first treat the existing fleas. Fleas are annoying, stubborn, and determined to keep coming back. These simple actions on your part can help get rid of fleas on your animals and help reduce the risk of reinfestation:
A critical component to help get rid of fleas – and even more importantly, discourage them from returning – is to use a flea preventative.
Here are three effective methods of flea prevention that can break the life cycle of the flea and help “tame” the flea circus.
Effective flea prevention can break the flea life cycle, be achieved through flea collars, topical flea treatments, or oral flea products, and can last anywhere from 30 days to eight months. Choose the prevention method that works best for you and your dog. Keep in mind that preventatives work best when used regularly year-round; simply applying for one or two months can leave your dog unprotected. If one pet has fleas, they may all have fleas. Apply preventives to every pet in your home – both indoor and outdoor pets – to help keep an infestation from spreading and help reduce the risk of fleas coming back.
If you have a flea infestation on your dog, there’s a good chance you will be fighting one in your home and yard. Take the few additional steps to treat your home and yard to help give you extra peace of mind. Start by cleaning – really cleaning – your home. We’re talking spring cleaning, fall cleaning, or in-laws-coming-to-visit cleaning! Baseboards, crevices, and upholstery are favorite hiding places for fleas and their eggs. Begin by vacuuming everything including the floors, carpets, area rugs, and furniture. Throw vacuum bags away (outside) or empty the vacuum canister outside in the trash. Wash all pet bedding in hot water, including covers and inserts. Wash your family’s bedding in hot water, and bathroom rugs and throws/blankets in hot water as well. Basically, cleanse any place your pet likes to sleep or lounge.
Remember adult fleas are only 5% of the flea population, and adults are the only ones that are visible. Use a spray labeled for home flea treatment on upholstery, furniture, and crevices. Fog your home, choosing a fogger that kills multiple flea life stages, and always follow label directions.
Your home is clean! But how can you tell if the fleas are truly gone? There may be no definitive answer, but you can monitor your pets for scratching, chewing, hair loss, and touch sensitivity as signs that fleas are back.
Getting rid of fleas is hard enough, but keeping them from coming back is just as tough. During your initial efforts, you worked to get rid of fleas in your home, but the entire cycle can start over! Ongoing vigilance combined with flea protection and prevention is the key to success. It may take up to 3 months in a row to adequately clear out the flea infestation. Remember to vacuum thoroughly and regularly. Clean the interior of your car – you never know when fleas hitched a ride with you. Clean pet bedding every week. Treat your yard and all pets as directed by the product label. Be sure to set reminders to apply or administer treatment and prevention products, and follow the products’ recommended schedules. Be sure to check your pet for fleas weekly and look for new signs of itching and scratching.
We’ve addressed the “How” of getting rid of fleas, but now it’s time for the “Why”. Here are some cold hard facts on fleas:
Fleas and their bites can irritate your dog and not just in the “annoying” sense of the word. Fleas can spread diseases to dogs and affect the bond you share. After all, no one wants fleas inside their home and fleas can lead to a variety of health concerns.
Treating for fleas and preventing a flea infestation are important practices in ensuring the health of your pets, your family members and you. To shop all flea and tick control products, click here. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Renee Jones, Jeffers’ Pet Specialist, by phone (1-800-533-3377) or by email rsjones@jefferspet.com.
“How to Get Rid of Fleas in the House.” Bayer PetBasics. 06 April 2018.