PDF Fleas and Flea Control - LivingWithBugs

LivingWithBugs Guide



identification, life cycles and management

Fleas & Flea Control

updated: 4/06

erty. The point here is that fleas are passed animal to animal (or infested nest to animal) not acquired from the general environment.

Fleas can now be effectively controlled and no

Fleas are the bane of every dog and cat owner pets, or their owners, should have to put up with at one time or another. Adult fleas are exter-

these annoying ectoparasites. Control programs

nal parasites (ectoparasites) of warm-blooded

should target the nest (bedding) and the host ani-

animals. They bite people and pets. The bite often

mal.

results in swelling and itching. Adult fleas must get

Low-cost flea control program

a blood meal. However, they can survive unfed for

The following program is economical and highly

long periods waiting for an animal host to wander

effective but it is a bit more difficult than those that

close by. This is one rea-

depend on topically-applied

son why vacant premises

insecticides (see below).

can remain infested for

Step 1: Thoroughly vacuum

extended periods.

the house using a vacuum

Fleas develop from

cleaner in good working

eggs laid in the host ani-

order and a fresh dust bag.

mal's nest (pet bedding).

Pay particular attention to

Eggs hatch into larvae (Fig.

areas where pets sleep.

2) that feed on organic

Discard the dust bag out-

debris and adult flea fe- Figure 1. Adult flea (enlarged) feeding. Original photo

ces composed mostly of by Ken Gray.

side the house because it

contains fleas, flea larvae

digested blood. Larvae pupate and emerge as

and eggs that may re-infest the house. This step is

blood-feeding adults. Adult fleas can remain in

extremely important and must be done carefully.

a "pre-emerged pupal cocoon" for long periods.

Step 2: Treat rugs, furniture, pet bedding and any

This stage is a fully-formed adult that has not yet

outdoor pet areas, like kennels, with a spray that

emerged from the pupal skin. Development from

contains the insect growth regulator methoprene

egg to adult can occur in less than one month.

(IGR, see below for products). This spray may con-

Pets get infested when they come into contact

tain other insecticides but it must contain the insect

with other animals that have fleas. This some-

growth regulator to be effective.

times occurs when the pet is off the owner's prop-

Step 3: Dip or shampoo your pet with a good qual-

Copyright 2004-2006 . All Rights Reserved Page: 1



ity flea control product at the same time you do blood meal. Capstar (nitenpyram), also given in pill

steps 1 and 2. Repeat the shampoo or dip in a few form, targets adult fleas.

weeks if you notice adult fleas again.

The best approach overall might be to follow

The procedure out-

the steps outlined above

lined above, alone, will

for cleaning and treating

give you excellent flea con-

the premise with an IGR

trol and is relatively inex-

followed by flea shampoo

pensive. It also takes time

then use one of the topi-

and effort. In recent years

cally applied insecticides

a number of new products

(like Frontline TopSpot or

have appeared that are applied directly to pets or given in pill form. These

Figure 2. Cat flea larva. Larvae live in the host animal's nest (pet bedding). Original photo by Ken Gray.

Advantage). If done properly a single application of the topical insecticide

offer convenience and they are very effective. They may provide season-long control so long as the

are also relatively expensive, especially if you are pets are not re-exposed to fleas. Monthly re-treat-

treating multiple pets. Some are not available for ments are not necessary.

cats. All these products are comparable but I prefer

Other products & procedures

those that are topically applied because they have Flea collars. Traditional flea collars don't have

less potential for side effects.

much value against fleas--especially if the home

Newer flea control products

is infested. Flea collars that contain one of the

Frontline TopSpot (fipronyl) is available for both growth regulators may be useful as an adjunct to

dogs and cats. It is a topically-applied insecticide. other methods.

Frontline Plus adds methoprene to the formula to

Outdoor treatments. According to the best cur-

disrupt larval devel- "Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) disrupt rent information,

opment.

outdoor insecticide

Advantage (imi- flea development. Non-biting larvae nev- treatments (e.g.

dacloprid) is also er develop into adults ..."

a topically-applied

yard treatments) are unnecessary and of

insecticide available for dogs and cats. However, a little value. This is probably because fleas live pri-

related product, K9 Advantix, should not be used marily on their animal host, or in its nest, not in the

on cats because it contains permethrin.

general environment.

Both Frontline and Advantage are insecticides

Foggers. Aerosol foggers, or "bombs", are a

that move over the skin surface in the natural skin poor choice for applying insecticide. Only exposed

oils. Both last about a month.

surfaces get treated because of the way foggers

Program and Sentinel (lefuron) are given in disperse insecticide into the air. On the other hand,

pill form and primarily disrupt larval development liquid formulations, carefully applied with some

through effects on adult fleas when they take a type of pump or pressure applicator, will achieve

Copyright 2004-2006 . All Rights Reserved Page: 2



much better coverage and are less expensive.

Using topically-applied products

Here's a flea control method that works. It is quick and easy, but it is not the cheapest. The following method works because it specifically targets fleas where they live. It does not use systemic insecticides that may have side effects.

Start with a clean pet and pet bedding. Shampoo pets with a good quality flea shampoo and launder the bedding, sweep the kennel, etc. Once the animal's coat is dry, apply a topical flea control product according to package instructions. I prefer Frontline TopSpot with the active ingredient fipronyl but Advantage (imadocloprid) also is effective. Frontline and Advantage come in different dosage levels for dogs depending on their weight so be sure to order the correct one.

Next, use a spray, containing methoprene. The reason is that we want to apply the IGR to bedding, kennel, rugs, anywhere the pet spends time, not on the pet itself. These IGR sprays are fairly inexpensive compared to the other materials. Two products to look for are Zodiac Fleatrol and Ovitrol.

Unless your flea infestation is severe, or you have a continual influx of fleas (kennels, vets, etc.), you should only need to do this procedure once or twice a year, not every month. Monthly applications are allowed but probably not necessary.

See for additional and related information.

Copyright 2004-2006 . All Rights Reserved Page: 3

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download