How To Protect Your Pets From Fleas And Ticks

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How To Protect Your Pets From Fleas And Ticks

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How To Protect Your Pets From Fleas And Ticks

Fleas are wingless, blood-sucking insects that feed on dog, cats,

humans and other species. There are many different types of flea

each one specific to the animal that it lives on. The most frequent

fleas found in the home are the cat flea and dog flea.

THE FLEA PROBLEM

Fleas and ticks are responsible for a number of diseases in pets and

people. Some types of ticks, for example, can transmit the bacteria

that cause Lyme disease to animals and humans and some fleas can

harbor tapeworm larvae, which grow into adult tapeworms in the

intestines of pets or people. Flea bites commonly cause skin

irritation and itching and some pets are allergic to flea saliva.

Taking care of your pets responsibly includes protecting them from

fleas and ticks. Fleas can be a problem even in the best kept homes

and on the cleanest of pets. The best approach to managing fleas is

prevention. But if you already have a flea problem, you can control

them as long as you treat both your pet and your home. Many products

are available to help control fleas and ticks on pets and in their

environment. Check with your veterinarian for appropriate treatments.

FLEA TREATMENT AND CONTROL

The objective of treatment is to break the flea life cycle by

treating the home, the pets, and the outside environment with

insecticide. Before purchasing and applying pesticide products to

pets to control fleas and ticks, talk to your veterinarian about the

best product to use and how to treat the animal, as well as the

environment.

After feeding on your pet's blood the female flea lays eggs which

drop into the animal's bedding or favourite resting place. The

highest concentration of eggs, larvae and pupae are likely to be in

these areas rather than on the animal itself. This means the vast

majority of the flea population lives in your yard or home.

Regular cleaning of bedding combined with thorough vacuuming of

furniture and floors will help to destroy each stage of the flea's

life cycle. Frequently vacuum floors, upholstered furniture, and

areas where pets may sleep indoors. Treat animal bedding by boiling,

or use animal-safe insecticides or other products recommended by

your vet.

(Visit http://www.pet-care-supplies.co.uk/vermin-protection/ to see

what's available)

When treating the yard, don't forget to treat under bushes and in

flower beds. If pets travel in the car, treat car seats and carpets

as well.

You should continue to vacuum the house frequently and thoroughly.

Throw away the dust bag (vacuum cleaner bags) from your vacuum after

each use to prevent any flea eggs and larvae from developing. Don't

allow pets to roam and pick up fleas from other animals and keep

pets out of hard to clean areas.

PROFESSIONAL FLEA CONTROL

Once fleas are established, eliminating them requires persistence.

If home treatments are ineffective, professional extermination may

be needed. Further advice on methods of treatment can be obtained

from the environmental health officer at your local council, or a

commercial pest control company. You can also pay a visit to your

veterinarian who will recommend services or products suitable to

treat your pet and your home.

Copyright © 2005. Bridget Mwape of Pet Care Supplies UK:

http://www.pet-care-supplies.co.uk/ which offers thousands of

products to help you care for your pets. This article may be

reprinted as long as all the above links are active and clickable

and this author box (byline) is not edited.