Flea control that only treats the pet is ineffective. Professionals know the only way to achieve complete flea control is to treat not only the pet but also the home and the yard. The bad news is that missing any one of these steps will mean re-infestation is just around the corner. The good news is that the new generation of flea control products allows very good control of fleas with very little product. And the products are safer than ever.
Treat the Pet: Some pet owners prefer flea shampoos, but there are far easier alternatives. The major flea control products on the market include Frontline, Advantage and Revolution. These products are oil-based and are applied to the pet’s shoulders. The oil quickly distributes itself over the body of the pet, usually within 24 hours. These flea control products are safe to use on dogs and cats and kill most fleas within 24 hours. Care should be taken to read the directions and match the dosage with the weight of the pet.
Treat the Home Flea control inside the home is an important part of the process. Vacuuming will pick up fleas and the debris fleas their larva use as a food source. Throw the bag away. Wash throw rugs and pet bedding. Look for a borate treatment at your local pet supply or hardware store. Orthoboric acid will be listed as the active ingredient. Lightly sprinkle the powder on carpets, and then use a broom to sweep the powder deeper into the carpet.
Don’t forget to apply the borate powder under the furniture and inside the closets. Apply the powder to the seam of furniture cushions, but not to the exposed fabric of the furniture. To maximize the effectiveness of the powder, don’t vacuum for a week or so. Don’t shampoo the carpets for 3-5 weeks. The borate powder will continue to provide flea control for up to a year. Be sure to read the directions carefully.
Treat the Yard Don’t forget the yard! Complete flea control depends on controlling fleas in the yard to avoid reinfestation. This is especially important during dry periods. Prolonged wet or rainy periods will help reduce flea problems. Even regular irrigation will help reduce fleas. But to be sure of flea control, use one of the products listed below. Fleas prefer shady areas, so treat these areas thoroughly.
Treating the yard to achieve flea control isn’t difficult. Several products are available that work. Pyrethroids work well but should be applied every 2-3 weeks especially during dry periods. Pyriproxfen is an insect growth regulator and is effective up to 7 months. Be sure to read labels carefully to be sure the product is for use outside, and it’s for fleas. Also, be sure you have the right product by reading the “active ingredient.”
Flea control doesn’t have to be difficult. Just don’t wait for the fleas to take over your life. Follow the 3 easy steps above to prevent problems from occurring. Prevention of fleas is much easier than controlling them afterwards. Print this article and file it away. At the first sign of a flea control problem, follow the steps above. Your pets will love you for it.
