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Got Fleas?![Got Fleas?]()
A Word About Fleas
Fleas are parasitic blood-sucking insects that make their home on your pets. Adult fleas live on the host animal. Eggs are laid on the pet but since they are smooth, they often fall off into the environment i.e. carpeting, sofa etc. Each fertilized female can lay as many as 25 fleas per day. Thus a few fleas can multiply into hundreds and thousands in a short period. Larva hatch from the egg and begin to molt, becoming progressively larger. Larvae feed off of organic debris in the environment such as flea dirt, which is the dried blood-feces of adult fleas. Eventually the larvae form a cocoon, from which the adult flea eventually emerges.
1. Flea and Tick Preventative
Using a topical or oral flea medication will prevent the unecessary suffering of your pet. If your pets are not on flea preventatives, there's a good chance they "Got fleas". Fortunately, a relatively new class of flea control products has been introduced over the past few years by several companies. These treatments are used monthly and provide the best protection available against fleas.
Frontline
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Advantage Flea Control
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Sentinel
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Frontline Plus
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2. Immediate Flea and Tick Protection
Fleas spread fast, which is why immediate relief is often necessary. The distribution of fleas often involves the lower back, base of the tail, toward the back, the abdomen, flanks and neck. It may become quite generalized in severe cases, leading to total body involvement.
Ectokyl
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Capstar
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Tick Twister
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Ectosoothe
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3. Home and Yard Flea and Tick Protection
If one pet in the household has fleas, assume that all pets in the household have fleas. A single flea found on your pet means that there are probably hundreds of fleas, larva, pupa and eggs in your house.
Adam's Fogger
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Adam's Yard Spray
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Siphotrol
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Knockout Fogger
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3. Flea and Tick Collars
Flea & Tick Collars can be effective, but must be applied properly. To get the right degree of snugness, you should just be able to get two fingers between the collar and your pet's neck. Be sure to cut off any excess portion of the collar after you have properly applied it. Otherwise, that animal or other pets may try to chew on the end.
Preventic PLUS
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Preventef-D for Dogs
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Breakaway for Cats
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Preventic 2-PACK
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A Final Word
Keep in mind that until all of the fleas in your home have died, you will probably still see some fleas, even on a treated pet, since some immature forms may continue to develop. This is especially true if you had a big flea problem to start with. Persistence is the key here. It is essential to keep following an effective flea control program for a long enough time to get rid of all of the fleas, in all life stages. This may take several weeks to 6 months or more, depending on your particular situation.
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