Spring is drawing to a close and summer is fast approaching. While we all
may be ready for longer, warmer days to enjoy with our pets, we certainly
are not looking forward to the pests that choose this time of year to invade
our pets and homes.
They cause itching and discomfort for all cats and dogs, and in those pets
allergic to fleas, may lead to hair loss and skin inflammation or infection.
You certainly want to prevent fleas and ticks from harming your pet
and eliminate them from your home, but with so many products available
to choose from, where should you start?
We have created a FLEA CONTROL GUIDE help you to fully understand
the flea life cycle and your treatment options to help you select the product
that fits your pet and home.
FLEA CONTROL GUIDE
Flea life cycle:
- Female adult fleas live several weeks, laying 20 to 30 eggs each day
- The eggs develop where they land: your pet, yard, carpet or furniture
- They enter a larva stage, form a cocoon, and reside there until optimal environment and host conditions are present, and then use their
powerful back legs to spring onto a waiting host.
The different flea life cycle stages make it very important to treat your
pet and their surrounding environment for effective flea control.
It does no good to use products that only kill adult fleas when so
many eggs and larvae are waiting to take their place.
Steps for control:
- Give your home a second spring cleaning. Vacuum often and always change and destroy the cleaning bag.
- Wash all pet bedding and use a hot dryer. Use an indoor and outdoor treatment to prevent any new pests.
- Make sure to repeat treatments, even if you don’t notice new pests- there is always a chance they will return!
- Maintain a healthy diet and proper grooming for your pet. Good nutrition and hygiene help their natural defenses.
Conventional treatment options:
Many flea treatment options are available for your pet. Today, you can choose from shampoos, powders, sprays, mousses, dips, collars, spot treatments and pills. Many of these products have been effective in killing adult fleas and eggs. Your pet’s outdoor living area is important as well. After cleaning any kennel or bedding areas, you can use sprays or insecticides in your yard and around kennel areas.
Natural treatment options:
For those concerned with the safety of chemical treatments, there are more natural options available.
- Garlic cloves and brewer’s yeast: reduce pests when added to pet’s diet.
- Natural rinses: formulas are available for lemon, citronella, rosemary and wormwood rinses.
- Diatomaceous earth: the safest natural treatment with the best response. Completely safe for internal and external application, D Earth takes physical action against pests by destroying the waxy outer layer on fleas and ticks, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Flea and tick products offered by Thomas Veterinary Drug:
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