As summer approaches, so does the need for an effective flea control program. Not only are fleas annoying biting insects but also they bring disease.
Fleas have transmitted diseases to people. The bubonic plague was a results of fleas carried on rats. As the fleas bit their human hosts, they passed the plague into the human. In the last twenty years, fleas have also been responsible for the Hanta virus in the southwestern United States. Carried into house by mice, the fleas pass the virus to their human host. Oriental rat fleas can transmit murine typhus fever. Cats and dogs can get tapeworm from fleas.
The best way to get rid of fleas is to stop the problem before it starts. A few years ago, my husband and I visited a house for sale. The property was vacant. The previous owner had owned many dogs and hadn’t taken any flea preventive measures. The property was so flea infested that the real estate agent wouldn’t even show the inside of the house. We found the yard infested with fleas as well! We drove home with fleas crawling in our clothes and biting us. We couldn’t even go into our own house to change our clothes. We changed our clothes in the van and then fogged the van. A little prevention will go a long ways. With the wonderful products on the market, you don’t need to let your property or your house get out of control!
Understanding the flea: Fleas spend most of their lives in the pre-adult life stages. It’s important to understand their phases, to keep your animals healthy and flea free. The three life stages are: eggs, pupae and adults. The eggs and pupae live in the carpets, bedding and other places in your house. The life cycle from egg to pupae to adult is anywhere from two weeks to eight months depending on type, climate, temperature and availability of food. Most fleas spend more of their time as eggs and pupae than adults living in host animals.
Control:
Your flea control system should use different methods applied for each stage of flea growth.
Egg and Pupae Stage control:
Vacuuming is a very effective way to eradicate fleas. Make sure that all things that the fleas can jump into shoes, toys, etc are picked up. Vacuum carefully around vents, sides of the walls and in corners. Take the vacuum bag, put it in a plastic bag, and throw away in the outside trash. Wash your own bed bedding in hot water. Change animal bedding frequently � throwing away old and unused bedding.
Keeping the humidity low will also decrease your flea population. Fleas need humidity to grow. Flea eggs need a humidity of at least 70 to 75 percent to hatch. The larvae need at least 50 percent to survive. Dry climates have fewer fleas than warm humid climates. Temperatures also affect the fleas. Lower temperatures slow their growth as well.
Flea sprays come in different kinds. Some contain all natural products for those who like all natural products. Spray on your dog or cat to kill the fleas. Most of these kill the fleas on contact. Use on pets, carpets, furniture as well on Pet Beds
Adult flea control:
A very easy to use but effective product is those which kill adult fleas and inhibitor their development in their early reproductive cycles. They consist of a monthly application to the coat of your pet. These products use a hormone to prevent eggs from hatching and larvae from pupating into adults. These types of controls are usually good for one month. Some products claim to kill 98 to 100 percent of the existing fleas in least than 24 hours. Most products are water proof, allowing your pet to swim or bath without losing the effective of the flea control products. Click here http://www.ablackhorse.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=539
A good flea Shampoo is also effective flea control for the adult stage flea. You will need to bath your pet frequently to kill the fleas and keep them from hatching eggs.
For adult flea control always keep in your pet supplies a good flea comb. You should have in your pet supplies a good flea comb. Groom your dog or cat often and carefully to pick up the fleas, their eggs and their feces.
What if?
What if you have fleas in the house? What is the best way to get rid of them?Room foggers work very well. If you have fleas in your carpets, this is very effective means of getting rid of them. Some products kill fleas, ticks, and eggs for up to 7 months.
Buy carpet flea spray to spray your carpet. Since fleas lay their eggs in the carpet, spraying the carpet s interrupts the life cycle of the flea and gets them while they are hatching.
For outside animals in areas of severe infestations, consider using a flea dip. Use according to manufactures suggested. If you have many animals outside, consider spraying your yard with a yard spray made especially for killing fleas! Remember, keeping your house and pet flea free will keep you and yourpets to treats as healthier and happier.
