Fleas are common pests, particularly in warmer climates. Controlling fleas can be a difficult and frustrating task. The key to easy control of fleas on dogs and cats lies in prevention. Preventing a flea infestation is much easier than trying to treat an existing flea infestation.
Commonly Believed Myths about Fleas and Understanding the Flea Life Cycle
Pet owners frequently believe that when they see an adult flea on their dog or cat that the flea must have jumped on their pet from another animal. In most cases, this is not true. In most cases, that flea came from a flea egg or larvae that was deposited somewhere in your pet's environment anywhere from three to eight months ago.
One adult flea can lay hundreds of thousands of eggs in a span of a day or two. By the time you start seeing live adult fleas on your dog or cat, the culprit that started the infestation is long gone. But she did not go without leaving you and your pets with a house full of her eggs.
Hatching time for flea eggs depends on numerous factors such as the temperature and humidity, but generally it takes at least a couple of months for a flea egg to mature into an adult flea.
By the time you start seeing adult fleas on your dog or cat, you are already too late to make an attempt at flea prevention because you already have a flea infestation.
Flea Prevention Myth #2
Most people believe that fleas cannot survive the cold weather experienced in winter months. This is untrue.
Under the right conditions, fleas can not only survive but can also breed and reproduce right through the winter.
- Sheltered areas such as a crawl space under a home or a dog house with blankets or other bedding often provide fleas with the proper conditions to continue reproducing through the winter.
- Wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, opossums, coyotes and rabbits can carry fleas through the winter and introduce fleas to your dog or cat.
- Fleas can breed and reproduce very easily inside of your house throughout the entire winter if you already have a flea infestation in the house.
Flea Prevention - Stopping the Flea Infestation Before It Starts
The best form of flea control for your dogs and cats is flea prevention. Flea prevention starts before you see live fleas on your pet.
The two most common mistakes pet owners make in the battle against fleas are:
- Waiting to use flea prevention products until they see live fleas on their dogs and cats.
- Discontinuing flea prevention products during the cold months assuming that fleas are no longer active.
There are many effective flea prevention medications on the market today. Most of them are applied monthly and are simple to use. Examples include:
- Frontline Plus
- Advantage Multi
- Advantix
- Revolution
- Promeris
- Comfortis
This is only a partial list. Consult your veterinarian to find out which flea prevention medication is most suitable for your pet. Use these medications following the label directions and continue using them all year round. By doing so, you will save yourself the aggravation of having to battle an overwhelming flea infestation and save your pet the agony of having to endure multiple flea bites.
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