Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Flea Control for Dogs

Fleas are a major worry that all dog owners will have to cope with. Anyone who owns a pet has almost certainly have faced the difficult job of having to get rid of dog fleas, a task which has usually proved to be easier said than done.

Fleas are not simply a bother because they bite and incite hours of frustrating scratching for your dog, but they may also cause more significant issues such as tapeworm infestations, flea bite dermatitis in dogs and in serious situations, anemia.

Owing to their astonishing resilience, fleas are terribly problematic to keep under control. The female flea might lay more than 2,000 eggs in her life, which means that infections can come briskly and the eggs that are laid may continue to exist for many months in nature while just waiting for a timely target. Consequently, it's vital to control both the fleas on the animal in addition to the fleas living in the dog's living area. The best locations to search for fleas are sand, bed linens, rugs and carpeting.

The Best Ways to Exterminate Fleas

To properly institute a plan of flea control for dogs both on your pet and in his or her environment, it is pertinent to be aware of the flea's life cycle. There are 4 phases which form the life cycle of the flea. Like most insects, the fleas commences from the egg phase, transforms into larva, and then advances into the pupa stage prior to lastly making it to the adult phase.

The Flea's Egg Phase

The fleas eggs are pale in color and are so small that they are difficult to see without using a magnifying glass. Although the eggs are initially laid on the canine's skin, a lot will eventually drop onto the ground to carry on their journey to adulthood. Close to 50% of the overall flea populace consists of eggs. Depending upon the living conditions, the eggs hatch in somewhere between a couple of weeks to a month. The higher the warmth and moistness in the environment, the faster the eggs will hatch.

The Flea's Larva Phase

After the flea egg hatches, it enters the larvae stage where it expands to about 1/4 inch in length. The flea larva subsist on organic waste matter and on the adult flea's feces. They're uncomfortable in bright light and are inclined to take cover deep inside their current environment, preferably in a warm and muggy area. Climate controlled habitats are the best location for the life cycle of the flea to flourish. Outdoors, larval gestation will only occur in damp, sheltered areas.

The Flea's Pupae Phase

Directly upon moving into the pupa phase, the flea pupae form a silky and tacky protecting cocoon. This chrysalis swiftly forms a valuable hiding place as it becomes coated by debris and soil. If aroused by temperature, carbon dioxide or by manual pressure, like that in a hot and humid setting, an adult flea can come out from its chrysalis in as little as 5 to 10 days. Once the adult flea appears out of the cocoon, it may subsist for only a couple of days if it's unable to feed. Pre-emerged adult fleas may survive within the cocoon for as many as 9 months. This is important since adult fleas that still exist within the cocoon are resistant to insecticides applied to the environment and can surface a considerable time after you use insecticides in your house.

The Flea Adulthood Phase

After the adult flea appears from the shell, it will want to immediately locate a host since it must have blood if it is to live on. A couple of days after obtaining a fitting host, the female flea will commence to laying about 40 eggs each day. Adult fleas generally live as long as 3 weeks. The full life cycle of a flea may perhaps be ended in as quickly as 2 to 4 weeks, or up to ten months conditional to its surrounding climatic conditions.

How to Treat A Dog For Fleas

There are numerous powders, sprays, shampoos and spot on preparations out there to liberate your dog of fleas. Be certain to consult with your veterinarian to opt for the truly successful and reliable flea products for your residence and pets.

Indoor Flea Control for Dogs

Most pesticides being used as canine flea treatments are merely helpful against the adult flea, but environmental preparations are becoming more complex. Your vet can offer you flea products that contain insect growth regulators which will help eradicate the flea eggs and larvae. Prior to spreading any environmental product, it's a good idea vacuum the rugs and carpeting to entice the pre-adult fleas to emerge from their protective cocoon. Be certain to throw away the vacuum bag following its use. You should also launder all bedding the pet has slept on.

Outdoor Flea Control for Dogs

Pay particular attention to dim, shady areas. Use a product that contains an insect growth regulator and repeat every 14-21 days for three to five applications.

The latest skin and oral flea deterrents will really aid you in taking care of your flea troubles. With perseverance and fortitude, you and your pet ought to be flea free in little time!

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