With a Week My Dogs Had Fleas Again After Using Frontline

What lays eggs, drinks blood, and is the second-all-time jumper of all known animals? No, this isn't the beginning of a bad joke. It's the common enemy of all pet owners: the tiny flea.

One flea can lay thousands of eggs in a lifetime. Fifty-fifty though the average adult only lives a few months, the right temperature, food supply and humidity can extend that lifespan upwards to 18 months. Unfortunately, your household pet provides exactly the atmospheric condition fleas need to thrive.

Have yous been struggling to eradicate fleas? Here are ten reasons why your pet may still have them:

1. Neglecting flea hotspots

Most homes take 'hotspots' where flea eggs and feces collect. You can usually find these areas where your pet rests during the 24-hour interval or beds down for the night. Since the flea larvae that hatch from these eggs don't travel very far, targeting these areas is your number i defense against fleas.

If possible, watch your pet throughout the 24-hour interval and see where he or she spends the most time. Lounging, training, napping, and merely lying effectually may non look like much, but these repose intervals give flea eggs the chance to fall to the ground and brainstorm the bike all over over again. Focus your treatments on these areas, and if electrical outlets are located nearby, endeavor plugging in electric flea traps to reduce the population.

If the trap isn't communicable fleas within 48 hours, movement to a different location near another hotspot. And don't forget to care for your vehicle if your pet spends time travelling with you. Auto seats, blankets, crates, and carriers offer some other ideal place for potential hotspots to develop. For more information, see our Natural, Non-toxic Flea Control Guide

two. Not treating the environment

The ideal flea surround is between 70-85°F (about xx-30°C) with a humidity of lxx%. If y'all can, keep your home below seventy°F and use a dehumidifier or air conditioner if you have trouble with humidity. A pet's furry body provides the moist, warm home that fleas demand, specially if your pet goes outside a lot and gets wet from the outdoors. Dry out your pets when they come inside and run a flea comb through their fur, checking for fleas every bit you go.

3. Not treating often enough

Fleas go through a life cycle of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just impale adult fleas, just fleas can keep to emerge for months later y'all think an infestation has ended.

When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she tin lay eggs within one twenty-four hour period. Regular treatment is the primal to keeping fleas at bay, but bathing your pet does goose egg to prevent fleas. While many adults will wash abroad, the eggs will remain. As soon as you finish rinsing the soap, more fleas will spring correct dorsum on (and more volition hatch).

Whether you are using a natural flea treatment or not, a regular regimen is necessary to combat fleas.

4. Only treating the fleas you lot meet

Adult fleas simply make up nigh 5% of an infestation, and these are more often than not the ones you see on your pet. The residuum you can't see: the eggs, larvae, and pupae.

Eggs hatch inside 21 days and the larvae settle into fabrics similar furniture and carpet. Here they will feast on dead skin cells and hair. Since 95% of the flea'south life is spent exterior the developed stage, flea infestations tin can take a long time to eradicate.

To treat the fleas you tin't come across, wash all of your bedding, blankets, and pillows in very hot water. Steam clean other gristly materials, particularly those in the living and bedrooms, since studies have shown the highest flea concentrations are usually in these areas.

Employ nutrient-grade diatomaceous earth effectually hot spots, including around pet bedding and resting areas. This natural flea control works past dehydrating insects and is not-toxic to pets. Yous tin care for both carpets and forest floors, applying in lines effectually areas well-nigh frequented. For more data, read Diatomaceous Earth: Non-toxic Pest Control for Your Abode and garden

5. Using the wrong treatments

Many flea treatments are toxic to children and pets. This includes drops that are applied to the fur, powders, collars and sprays. These are pesticides and should not exist used without serious idea.

There are now chewable forms of flea treatment that are far less hazardous, although slightly less effective, than straight-upwardly pesticides. One of the most popular is called Comfortis, which lasts a month per dose and is prescribed by your veterinarian. The key ingredient is Spinosad, which is a natural substance that is made from a soil bacterium that has been tested heavily by the EPA for health effects.

It's also very of import to realize that treatments for killing fleas on dogs can impairment cats, and a small dog will need an entirely dissimilar treatment than a big dog as well. Don't buy flea treatments from the pet store until you have consulted with your veterinary to discuss the right handling for your brute. Natural sprays and electric flea traps tin give you even more protection. There are also refillable pads for flea traps to keep them working their best.

half dozen. Re-infestation from outdoors

Airflow and sunlight kill flea larvae, and then the brighter and airier your k, the less probable your pet will bring a flea inside. Keep your yard clean and free of debris. That means mowing your lawn regularly and trimming shrubs so that fleas have fewer shady places to alive. Keeping your yard make clean too discourages wild animals from thriving there, bringing their fleas with them. Raccoons and stray cats are the nigh mutual trespassers.

Inquiry also suggests that flea-eating nematodes are extremely effective at killing flea larvae outdoors. If you suspect your pet'due south fleas are coming from your yard, purchase nematodes from your local garden center and use to shady, moist areas where fleas thrive using a lawn sprayer. Inside 24 hours, the flea population usually declines substantially.

7. Infestation from other pets

If more than i pet lives in your firm, care for each one as a potential host for your flea problem, even if only ane is scratching. Combing, proper grooming and household cleanliness goes a long mode, simply getting tough with vacuuming, flea traps and diatomaceous earth is more constructive.

Treat all your pets' beds and resting/sleeping areas. You can even rub diatomaceous earth into your pet'south fur, just because it is a fine dust, be careful not to create lung problems for whatsoever family unit members who might suffer from asthma or other breathing difficulties. Additionally, avoid applying near a house fan or in windy environments.

viii. Not treating year circular

Information technology's just not true that your pet tin't get fleas in the winter. Fleas can live exterior in temperatures as low as 33°F (0.5 °C) for five days, and thrive in clamber spaces and porches. The pupae can prevarication dormant for over a year until they notice themselves in the correct temperature.

You can take the risk of ignoring fleas for a few months, only chances are that i flea volition multiply every bit soon as it hitches a ride into your home. Keep up your flea treatments during cold weather condition for as long as necessary.

nine. Ignoring carpets

As mentioned earlier, carpets are a major haven for flea eggs and larvae. They should exist vacuumed ofttimes and if possible, steam cleaned to kill eggs. Be sure to remove vacuum numberless from your machine later on cleaning and identify outside the house to prevent re-infestations.

A vacuum with a True HEPA filter will exist able to effectively reduce the population dramatically. You lot can also care for your carpet using nutrient-grade diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle over areas used frequently by your pet, including those nether pet bedding. Wait two to three days, and so vacuum up. Y'all can also spread diatomaceous world in lines along walls and in crevices most carpeted areas.

10. Using flea treatments improperly

This is a no-brainer and a mutual theme in all of these strategies, but doing just half the job or the wrong affair is worse than not doing it at all, because fleas readily adapt to their environment. Treatments used improperly let fleas the chance to get immune to controls with each new generation. This can lead to incessantly larger outbreaks every bit fleas continue to multiply and become more resistant. Don't put your sanity or your pet at take chances by failing to follow instructions.

Staying flea-costless

Fleas are uncomfortable for your dog and it's worth taking them seriously. Non only tin can they bite and cause infections, they can transfer tapeworms to your pets. Their ability to jump 150 times their own length, potable 15 times their own body weight, and become for 100 days between meals makes them hard to gainsay, but by being proactive you can prevent infestations. A holistic program that includes cleanliness, grooming, natural treatments, and a loftier-quality diet tin ensure that your pet stays happy and flea-free.

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About the Writer

Nicole Faires
Nicole Faires is an urban farmer and all-time-selling author of books on sustainable agronomics and nutrient policy. Originally from Montana, she now lives with her family on the West Coast. Observe out more at deliberatelife.ca or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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