Flea Control
Is there really a way?
The past several years have brought a new
understanding of the biology of the flea and with it a better
understanding of the relationship of the flea with our pets and
the environment. These new discoveries have enabled us to design
much more effective flea control programs.
The Life Cycle
It is important for us to learn how
the flea lives and survives in order to combat them. Adult fleas
lay eggs only when on the host. These eggs then fall off of the
host and are deposited anywhere your animal has access to. The
largest numbers of eggs are naturally found in areas where your
pet spends most of its time. Hence, in the home, careful observation
of the habits of the pet will reveal the major areas of flea development.
These areas are known as hot spots - and are likely the most contaminated.
The hot spots will be areas where your pet sleeps or lounges -
sofas, chairs, rugs, beds etc. Fleas have an extremely high reproductive
capacity and may lay up to sixty eggs per day. Fleas excrete large
quantities of incompletely digested blood that quickly dries into
reddish-black fecal pellets. This flea dirt falls off the host
and serves as an essential food source for the flea larvae. The
larval stage usually lasts a week or two, after which time the
larvae produces a cocoon in which top develop further. Flea cocoons
are particularly hardy and are resistant to adult insecticides.
Before the fully developed adult flea emerges from the cocoon
it can remain there for several weeks until a suitable host comes
along - in which case it can emerge in a matter of moments.
Flea Control
To have any chance of being successful, a
flea control program must be directed towards the animal and the
environment. We must eliminate adult fleas on the animal and in
the environment as well as the immature stages in the environment.
Before treating the pet or the home with insecticides,
mechanical control measures should be taken. These include washing
the throw rugs, blankets, and bedding. Vacuum all areas where
the pet frequents - this will help remove flea eggs and larvae.
Cushions and pillows should be removed and vacuumed. Pay special
attention to crevices in sofas and chairs, under beds and furniture.
Next, vacuum all carpets and floors - vacuuming not only removes
a number of eggs and larvae, it also stimulates the cocoons to
hatch where they are then susceptible to the insecticides. Once
you have finished vacuuming tie and throw the vacuum bag away!
In a heavy infestation, the next stage is to use
a house spray for the home, preferably one with a residual action.
Sprays are also available in combination with "Insect Growth
Regulators" (IGRs); these are compounds which inhibit development
of immature stages of the insect. They are extremely safe products.
There are many flea products new to the marketplace,
which have revolutionized flea prevention and treatment. Advantage
is a topical adulticide that used once monthly will rapidly kill
adult fleas on your pet. Advantage kills on contact and has the
added benefit that your pet does not need to be bitten in order
for the fleas to be killed. This is of great benefit to animals
that suffer from flea allergies, as they are usually allergic
to the flea's saliva.
Soon to be launched is a pill that when given to
your pet will kill adult fleas within hours.
Flea prevention can be achieved in a few ways.
An adulticide such as Advantage can be used monthly throughout
the flea season.
Alternatively, products aimed at preventing maturation
of immature stages of fleas can be used.
Program is a product
that prevents the hatching of eggs into the larval stage. It is
available as a monthly tablet for dogs (based on weight) or for
cats as a monthly oral suspension or an injection with 6 months
activity. Program is also available as a combination product in
Sentinel that provides flea prevention along with deworming and
heartworm prevention. Both Program and Sentinel come with a 100%
guarantee against flea infestation when initially used on a flea-free
animal. If these products are used as directed on all animals
in a household, the manufacturer will pay for flea treatments
if an infestation occurs.
Ovicollars are also
available for cats and dogs. This collar contains a growth regulator
that kills flea eggs. This breakaway collar is effective for 12
months in cats and 8 months in dogs.
When these products are started early in the flea
season, they will prevent the buildup of flea populations in the
environment.
The pupae present the biggest obstacle in any flea
control programme. Insecticides cannot kill pupae under the cocoon,
and it is because of this that they continue to grow and hatch
for the next two to four weeks. For this problem it is necessary
to re-spray the heavily populated areas three weeks later.
Summary
An effective control program is based on
a full understanding of the life cycle of the flea, the habits
of the pet, and effectiveness of the products.
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