Fleas are a major concern that all dog owners will have to deal with at some point. Anybody who owns a dog has probably experienced the unpleasant task of getting rid of dog fleas, a task that has frequently proved to be more diffictult than it sounds.
Fleas aren’t only a bother because they bite and bring about hours of aggravating itching for the animal, but they might also lead to other serious problems such as flea bite dermatitis, tapeworm infestations and in severe cases, anemia.
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As a result of their astounding resilience, fleas can be incredibly problematic to control. The female flea can lay over 2,000 eggs during her lifetime, this implies that infections can materialize rapidly and the eggs she laid may continue to exist for several months in the environment while just waiting for an appropriate host. That’s why it’s important to control both the fleas on your pet and also the fleas living in the dog’s surrounding. The ideal spots to look for fleas are carpets, bedding, sand and rugs.
The Best Methods of Getting Rid of Dog Fleas
To totally get rid of dog fleas on your pet and in his or her environment, it’s pertinent to learn the flea’s life cycle. There are four stages which makeup the life cycle of the flea. Similar to nearly all insects, the fleas starts out in the egg stage, transforms into larva, then advances to the pupa stage before eventually reaching the adult stage.
The Flea’s Egg Stage
The flea’s eggs are whitish in color and are so small that they’re difficult to see without the help of a magnifying glass. Although the eggs are originally laid on the canine’s skin, many will ultimately drop onto the ground to continue their life cycle. Approximately 50% of the total flea populace is made up of eggs. Dependant upon the environmental conditions, the eggs hatch in anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. The higher the temperature and humidity in the environment, the more rapidly the eggs will hatch.
The Flea’s Larva Stage
Once the flea egg hatches, it enters the larva stage where it enlarges to nearly 1/4 inch in length. The flea larvae survive on organic waste materials and on the feces of the adult flea. They’re uncomfortable in bright lighting and are inclined to go underground deep within the existing living space, preferably in a hot and damp area. Climate controlled homes are an ideal setting for the flea’s life cycle to flourish. Outdoors, larvae maturity will only come about in moist, shaded spots.
The Flea’s Pupa Stage
When crossing into the pupa phase, the flea pupae grow a silky and sticky protective cocoon. This cocoon instantly forms a beneficial hiding place as it becomes coated by debris and dust. If aroused by heat, carbon dioxide or by physical pressure, like that in a balmy and moist setting, an adult flea can surface from the cocoon in as quickly as five to ten days. Once the adult flea emerges from the cocoon, it may live for just a few days if it’s unable to find a suitable host. Pre-emerged adult fleas may continue to exist in the cocoon for up to 9 months. This is noteworthy since adult fleas that still survive inside the cocoon are impervious to pesitcides sprayed in the environment and can emerge from their cocoons a considerable time after you apply pesticides in your house.
The Flea’s Adulthood Stage
After the adult flea emerges from the cocoon, it will need to quickly locate a host because it has to have blood in order to survive. A couple of days after finding a suitable host, the female flea will start to lay around 40 eggs per day. Adult fleas usually survive up to 3 weeks. The full life cycle of the flea may perhaps be brought to an end in as little as two to four weeks, or up to ten months depending upon its surrounding environment.
How to Get Rid of Dog Fleas
There are countless shampoos, powders, sprays and on the spot preparations available to help you in getting rid of dog fleas. Be sure to consult with a vet to select the most effective and safest flea insecticides for your household and pets.
Getting Rid of Dog Fleas Indoors
Most pesticides are only useful against the adult flea, but environmental pesticides are becoming more sophisticated. A veterinarian can give you flea pesticides that contain insect growth regulators which will help get rid of the flea eggs and larvae. Before using any indoor pesticide, you should vacuum your rugs and carpeting to persuade the pre-adult fleas to surface from their protective cocoon. Be sure to toss away the vacuum cleaner bag after you have finished. You should also launder the bedding the pet has layed down on.
Getting Rid of Dog Fleas Outdoors
Focus on dark, shaded spaces. Use a pesticide that contains an insect growth regulator and repeat it every 14-21 days for three to five applications.
The latest oral and topical flea products should significantly help you take care of any flea crisis. With dedication and patience, you and your best friend ought to be free of fleas in no time!
Treatments for Dog Fleas |
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K9 Advantix is a once a month topical application that kills and repels disease spreading fleas, ticks and mosquitoes killing 98-100% of fleas within 12 hours. |
In addition to killing 98-100% of adult fleas on your dog within 24 hours, Frontline Plus contains a special ingredient that kills flea eggs and larvae, too. |
Wash away flea, tick, and mange infestation. Wash away eggs from sheets, pillows, car upholstery, and other household objects. |
Highly effective insect repellent, which discourages dog fleas from nesting on your dog. |
Flea and tick spray, also kills bed bugs, mosquitoes, mites, lice and mange. |
 BeFree Flea Shampoo from: PetAlive Cleansing shampoo helps deter fleas, flies and mosquitoes for dogs. |
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