Fleas are common pests on your pet. They commonly appear and propagate during the warmer seasons. As you might have guessed, your pets are also the most common sources of fleas in the house. What you don’t know is that the fleas you see on your dog only make up about 10% of the entire population. The remaining 90% of the flea population resides in your living areas, bedding, and carpeting. For this reason, one should take these pests seriously when your dog starts scratching.
The Dilemma
When you see your dog scratching fleas off his fur, you should start to be alarmed since it is just trying to deal with 10% of the whole flea infestation. The ones you see on your pet are usually just the adult fleas. The 90% of the fleas that infest your home is made up of the pupa, larvae, and flea eggs with a few adults to keep an eye on the little ones. If you only deal with the adults crawling all over your dog, you will soon have a worsening problem sooner or later.
Dealing with the Source
Since your pets are the number one source of the fleas in the house then you should deal with that particular source. If you don’t deal with the adults that lay the eggs and those that grow the larvae then the problem just won’t go away. If you’ve got fleas in the house then you should do some flea control for your pet.
Reminder
One of the mistakes people often make when it comes to flea control on their pets is that they use too much for their poor furry friend. Take note that your pets are also sensitive to medications and chemicals, which basically includes the ones you would use for flea control.
Always apply the prescribed amount of flea medication or product as you see them on the label. This is especially important if you are treating a pet cat. These animals are more sensitive to drugs and flea controlling chemicals. Always use the product suited for the right animal. If you’re treating a cat, use the pest control products for cats.
Types of Flea Control Products
There are many flea control products sold in pet stores. They come in various forms too. There are flea shampoos, dips, flea collars, powders and sprays, spot on treatments, and oral medications. Some of these products are more effective on adult fleas. Others have chemicals that inhibit larvae growth and development.
The flea control products that deal with both adult and larvae get rid of the current and next generations of these pests. Some have lasting effects, like spot on treatments for instance, that last for months. Some of these products do not only get rid of fleas, they also kill ticks and other pests on your pet as well.
Getting Rid of the Fleas in the House
If you only get rid of the adult fleas you’re only getting rid of a smaller proportion of the problem. The bigger problem lies in the next generation of fleas carefully hidden in several areas of your home. Failing to deal with the larva and the eggs will mean you’ll have a recurrence of another flea infestation in the very near future. It is recommended that you get rid of the fleas in the house along with the fleas on your pet.
To get rid of the larva and eggs spread in your home, you should do some daily vacuuming. A good tip is to put a flea collar in the vacuum bag to kill both adult fleas and larvae that are picked up. Make sure to get rid of the empty the vacuum bag on a regular basis. Dispose of the bag frequently and properly when it is due.
Since larvae and eggs can also be found in your bedding, you should wash them along with the furniture covers. Applying insecticide will also help getting rid of these pests. Be sure to follow package instructions when using insecticide. Take all the necessary precautions with your food, children, and your pets when handling these poisonous chemicals.