FLEA CONTROLBy Dr. Lee Wroten
Fleas, as you know, are important little pests.  The common flea is a great nuisance through bites to both man and animals alike.  Fleas, if left uncontrolled, can remove enough blood from a pet to cause shock & death.  Fleas transmit many serious diseases, such as the great epidemics of bubonic plague of centuries past.  Additionally, and probably the greatest annoyance to pets and owners, is the common occurrence of allergic reaction by a pet to the flea’s bite.  The pets actually become sensitive to the saliva of the flea and as a result scratch excessively.  This self-mutilation causes secondary skin infections, odor, hair loss and general misery to the pet and owners alike.
Along with all the potential problems fleas cause, they are persistent beasts.  Here in the warm moist Gulf Coast climate, flea reproduction excels.  Each female flea can reproduce in about 21 days.  Finally, and probably the most disheartening fact, is that at any one time only about 5% of all the flea population are on your pet.  The other 95% live and grow in your lawn, carpet, and furniture, occasionally taking a blood meal from your pet.
Flea control is, because of the above attributes, a complex, time consuming, and sometimes frustrating job.  Basically, all aspects of the flea habitat must be treated, including inside and outside of the home.  In the following information some strategies for effective flea control will be outlined.
TREATING YOUR PET:
FRONTLINE PLUS, ADVANTAGE AND ADVANTIX:  prescription topicals
•Work extremely well; after application, the product is stored in the skin glands from where it is continuously released from the hair follicles onto the fur
•Kill existing fleas in 18-24 hours
•Continue killing fleas for 1 month
•Non-toxic, very safe, not absorbed into the bloodstream; fleas die from contact with skin
•Waterproof
•Very good residual effect
•Frontline Plus and Advantix also kill ticks.  Advantix also repels mosquitos.
•Frontline Plus also kills flea eggs & larvae, breaking the life cycle.  Advantage and Advantix kill fleas within 2 hours of contact; they prevent fleas from reproducing, thus breaking the life cycle.
•Frontline spray can be used on young puppies and kittens.
•The above-mentioned products are the most effective topical products available at this time. WE RECOMMEND THEIR USE EVERY MONTH.
CAPSTAR:  prescription oral tablets.
•Quick-acting – Dose orally -kills all fleas on the animal within 30-45 minutes after dose.
•Very effective for the first 24 hours, medication is released through the bloodstream.
•No effects after 24 hours because the medication is no longer in the bloodstream.
COMFORTIS:  prescription oral tablets
•Quick-acting – Dose orally – begins working in 30 minutes
•Must be given with a meal
•Very effective for a period of one month
BATHING AND DIPPING:
•Only kills those fleas on the pet (5% of the population)
•Bathing has no residual effect, dipping has very little residual effect
•Time consuming
•Cannot repeat for 7 days
•Puppies and kittens must be at least 12 weeks old for use.
SPRAYS & POWDERS
•Little residual effect
•Must be applied frequently
•Powder falls off and doesn’t penetrate coat well.
•Frontline spray is the exception – when applied correctly it lasts 30 days and has good residual effect.
OVER THE COUNTER SPOT ON PRODUCTS
•Absorbed into the bloodstream
•Flea has to bite the dog to be killed
•Little residual effect
•Dog products, if applied to cats are toxic and often lethal
FLEA COLLARS
•Not very effective- fleas often remain on the animal near the tail area & are not killed.
•Can kill fleas in a vacuum cleaner bag because it is an enclosed area.
TREATING YOUR HOME :
•Professional exterminating is very good
•Do-it-yourself
* Foggers- Mist the entire house, providing more complete coverage than sprays alone.
      Use those with an insect growth regulator, this affects the egg capsule of the
       flea and prevents hatching.
*  Sprays -  Apply to carpet, upholstery, pet bedding.
*  Powder – Fleabuster – apply to baseboards, carpet
{WE RECOMMEND FOGGING THE HOUSE EVERY 2 WEEKS FOR 3 TREATMENTS. 
SPOT SPRAYING PROBLEM AREAS (PET BEDDING) WEEKLY IS A GOOD IDEA.
TREATING YOUR YARD:
•Sprays or granules such as Bayer Fipronil applied every 14 days for 3 treatments is effective.  As with all pesticides, follow manufacturer’s precautions around animals and wear gloves when handling.  If used inappropriately, these chemicals can be poisonous to you or your pet.  Symptoms of intoxication can include vomiting, diarrhea, urination, defecation, salivation, difficulty breathing & convulsions.
THE BEST WAY TO CONTROL FLEAS IS TO:
Treat all pets with Frontline Plus,  Advantage, Advantix, or Comfortis monthly
Fog your house
Apply Bayer Fipronil to your yard
Repeat the house and yard treatment 2 to 3 times at two-week intervals

Park Street Animal Hospital
Professional health care for your pets
PARASITE CONTROL - FLEAS