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Alamo Heights Pet Clinic Newsletter FLEA CONTROL FLEA CONTROL
As frustrating as flea problems seem to be in our area, effective flea control is something that can be achieved with consistent effort and using the right products.
The flea has become a highly specialized parasite and has, over time, become resistant to many of the older types of insecticides.
To effectively control fleas we must tackle three (3) areas: 1. THE HOUSE
2. THE YARD
3. THE PET 1. THE HOUSE A. Vacuum carpets, floors, furniture and your pet’s sleeping quarters to remove flea eggs and larvae. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag.
B. ULTRACIDE is highly effective and an economical “Do it yourself” spray, which we carry in our clinic that can be used throughout the house on floors, carpets, and furniture. We recommend spraying wherever fleas can hide including under beds and couches,. We find ULTRACIDE is much better than foggers purchased at grocery stores. The ULTRACIDE will kill adult and pre-adult fleas.
C. A reputable and licensed EXTERMINATOR is a must. In homes with predominately carpeted floors, we currently recommend a company call “FLEABUSTERS”. Our clients have reported excellent results. They offer a one (1) year guarantee to homeowners.
2. THE YARD
A. Spraying the yard on a regular basis is a must. Ideally the yard should be sprayed every 10 days for the first 30 days. This will break the life cycle of the flea. Then spray your yard on a monthly basis. If the first monthly treatment does not work then do this all over again. Fighting the flea is a continuous battle until they are under control. After the flea problem is under control, we recommend a professional company of your choice spray your yard monthly. If you want a more organic control use DIATOMACEOUS EARTH (DE) or NEMATODES. You should consult the Veterinarian about this type of treatment. 3. THE PET
A. The pet must be bathed and dipped at the same time the yard is sprayed. We recommend the pet be taken away from the environment the day the yard is sprayed. You want your pet to return to a clean environment after he or she has been bathed and dipped. This should also be done the same way as the yard, every 10 days for 30 days. We dispense a variety of medicated shampoos and we are careful to use the correct one to care for your pet’s skin.
B. PYRETHRIN FLEA SPRAYS should be used daily in between baths and dips. We dispense OVITROL for this purpose, which is not only safe and effective but also pleasant to use.
C. PROGRAM: a once a month “Flea Pill” is used in breaking the reproductive cycle of the flea but does not kill the flea. This is also available in liquid for cats.
D. FRONTLINE: a topical adulticide also kills ticks.
E. ADVANTAGE: a topical adulticide.
NOTE: I CANNOT RECOMMEND FLEA POWDERS AND/OR COLLARS AS THEY DO NOT CONTROL THE BOTHERSOME PARASITE.
Please remember the flea spends most of its adult life in the environment and a short time on the pet. Therefore when you see fleas on your pet there are hundreds more you do not see. The bite of the flea can cause an allergic reaction to your pet leaving them miserable with scratching and chewing.. The flea is a bloodsucker and can cause anemia if the problem is not controlled... this is very important to watch out for. The flea also can transmit viral and bacterial infections as well as tapeworms.
Dan R. Kirby, D.V.M.
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