Fleas are a major matter that every pet owner will have to contend with. Anyone who has a pet has most likely experienced the difficult task of having to rid your pet of fleas, a task that has usually proved to be more trying than it looks.
Fleas aren't simply a concern because they harass and instigate hours of aggravating scratching for your dog, but they could also lead to more significant complications such as flea allergies, dog tapeworms and in serious instances, anemia.
Owing to their astounding stamina, fleas are very tough to manage. The female might lay over 2,000 eggs in her existence, this indicates that an infection may strike suddenly and the eggs that she laid could subsist for a long duration in nature while just awaiting an acceptable victim. So it's important to get rid of dog fleas both on the animal and the fleas living in the animal's living area. The ideal locations to look for fleas include carpeting, rugs, bed linens and sand.
The Best Ways to Eradicate Fleas
To totally terminate fleas on your dog and in his or her surroundings, it's basic to be aware of the flea's life cycle. There are 4 stages which constitute the life span of the flea. Akin to nearly all insects, the fleas begins in the egg stage, grows into larva, and then advances to the pupa phase until finally making it to the adult phase.
The Flea Egg Stage
The fleas eggs are white in color and are so small that they are difficult to locate without using a magnifying glass. Although the eggs are first laid on the canine's skin, many will in time drop onto the ground to resume their trek to adulthood. Around 50 percent of the total flea populace consists of eggs. Depending upon the surrounding conditions, the eggs hatch in anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. The greater the heat and humidity in the surroundings, the sooner the eggs will hatch.
The Flea's Larvae Stage
Once the flea egg hatches, it enters the larva stage where it flourishes to around 1/4 inch in length. The flea larvae live on organic waste substances and in the adult flea's feces. They are uncomfortable in intense lighting and are inclined to go underground deep inside their existing living space, if at all possible in a temperate and moist location. Climate controlled homes are the perfect setting for the life cycle of the flea to flourish. Outdoors, larva development will only happen in moist, shaded areas.
The Flea Pupa Stage
Directly upon going into the pupae phase, the flea pupa grow a velvety and sticky protecting chrysalis. This chrysalis promptly forms a beneficial hiding spot as it becomes encased by debris and dirt. If encouraged by heat, carbon dioxide or by manual influence, like that in a hot and wet setting, an adult flea may emerge from the chrysalis in as little as five to ten days. As soon as the adult flea emerges from its cocoon, it may live for just a few days if it is unable to find a host. Pre-emerged adult fleas may survive inside the chrysalis for up to nine months. This is important for the reason that adult fleas still surviving inside the cocoon are impervious to insect repellents applied to the environment and can emerge a significant time after you utilize insecticides in your residence.
The Flea's Adult Stage
After the adult flea comes out from its shell, it will need to swiftly get a host because it requires blood in order to live. A few days subsequent to obtaining an acceptable host, the female flea will start laying in the vicinity of forty eggs per day. Adult fleas generally survive as long as 3 weeks. The full lifecycle of a flea can be completed in as short as 2 to 4 weeks, or as long as 10 months dependent upon environmental climate.
What to Look for in Treatments for Dog Fleas
There are many treatments for dog fleas that include shampoos, powders, sprays and on the spot preparations around to liberate your pet of fleas. Be certain to confer with a vet to opt for the most effective and safest flea insecticides for your home and dog.
Indoor Treatments for Dog Fleas
The majority of insecticides are merely of use against the adult flea, but environmental insecticides being used for dog flea control are becoming more highly developed. Your veterinarian can give you with flea pesticides having insect growth regulators that will help exterminate the flea eggs and larvae. Before spraying any indoor product, it's a good idea vacuum your carpeting and rugs to persuade the pre-adult fleas to emerge from their protective cocoon. Be certain to throw away the vacuum bag after its use. You should also wash the bedding your dog has layed down on.
Outdoor Treatments for Dog Fleas
Pay particular attention to dark, shady regions. Use flea insecticides made of an insect growth regulator and repeat every 2-3 weeks for three to five treatments.
The latest topical and oral flea formulations will considerably help you take care of the flea problem. With dedication and patience, you and your best friend will be rid of fleas in short order!
More Information About Treatments for Dog Fleas
