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Flea Facts:
- More than 2,200 species and subspecies
- The “cat flea” (Ctenocephalides felis) is the most common species on dogs and cats
- Adult fleas can jump up 100 times their body length
- A single female flea can lay 20-50 eggs per day (more than 2000 eggs in a lifetime)
- Fleas consume up to 15% of their bodyweight daily in blood
- Fleas spread diseases such as tapeworms, bubonic plague and murine typhus
- Fleas also cause skin allergies on both dogs and cats
Flea Life Cycle (4 stages—can take up to 4-10 weeks):
- Eggs—laid in the hair coat of the pet and fall-off into the environment (can be found anywhere the pet has access to). Eggs hatch in 1-6 days.
- Larvae—feed on organic debris in the environment (must have feces of adult fleas). Larval stages last 5-11 days. Larvae avoid light and move downward in response to movement therefore, they are found deep in carpet fibers and under branches, leaves, etc.
- Pupae—mature in 7-14 days (can take up to 28 days) and can stay in the cocoon for up to 180 days. They begin to emerge in response to physical pressure, vibration, heat and changes in carbon dioxide (owners may notice an increase in flea population after being absent from the home for a period of time). Emergence is spread out over 2-4 weeks.
- Adults—immediately seek a host after emerging from its cocoon. Adults need to consume a blood meal in 24-72 hours). Move upward and towards light (top of the carpet, bedding, curtains, furniture, etc.). Adults begin feeding within minutes of finding a host. Females will begin mating with 24-48 hours after its first meal. They will survive and reproduce on the host for 3-4 months and will not leave the host voluntarily.
Flea Ecology:
- Fleas that jump onto humans are almost always newly emerged, adult fleas that are looking for a host for their first meal.
- Humidity below 50% and above 92% will kill flea eggs. Adult fleas cannot survive temperatures below 33°F, but can survive winter on the bodies of animals and indoors.
- Fleas consume up to 15% of their body weight daily in blood, making blood-loss anemia a potential threat to heavily infested animals (especially puppies and kittens)
Flea Control:
- Successful control of fleas requires an integrated pest management (IPM) program (simply treating the pet alone is not enough)
- Treatment needs to include the pet, yard and home (simultaneously and repeatedly)
- If flea products (both on the pet and in the environment) are applied inconsistently they will kill only the weakest, most susceptible populations and lead to resistance problems
- The best flea products are aimed at controlling both the adult and immature (eggs, larvae) stages of fleas
- Successful elimination usually requires several months of treatment since the life-cycle (eggs to adults) lasts anywhere from 4 to 10 weeks.
Treating the environment:
- Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum—this is the most important aspect of mechanical and physical control. Pay special attention to areas behind and under furniture. Shampooing is also effective and may further help to kill flea eggs.
- Chemicals applied to the environment (especially outside areas) will further eliminate developing stages of fleas. Follow labeled directions closely and/or contact a licensed exterminator. Look for products that not only kill adult fleas, but also contain insect growth regulators that will kill eggs and larvae.
Treating the pet:
- Newer products such as Frontline Plus, Advantage, Advantix, Revolution, Sentinel, Program and Capstar are highly effective at controlling fleas on cats and dogs. They are available only through licensed veterinarians.
- Frontline Plus: active ingredient(s) fipronil and S-methoprene. Kills adult fleas, eggs and larvae. Also kills ticks. Applied topically to the pet and spreads through the natural oils in the skin. Fleas are killed on contact and do not have to bite the animal to work. Adult fleas begin to die within 18-24 hrs and lasts for 4 weeks.
- Advantage: active ingredient(s): imidacloprid. Kills adult fleas and larval stages (not eggs). Works in the same method as Frontline Plus. Begins to kill fleas within 12 hours and also lasts for 4 weeks.
- Advantix: active ingredient(s): imidacloprid and permethrin. The same product as Advantage but the added permethrin also kills ticks (NOT SAFE FOR CATS!)
- Revolution: active ingredient(s): selamectin. Another topical product that kills adult fleas only. It also controls heartworms, intestinal parasites, ear mites and some forms of mange mites. Dogs must be tested for heartworm disease prior to administration.
- Sentinel: active ingredient(s): milbemycin oxime and lufenuron. A monthly, oral product that is used primarily for preventing canine heartworms and intestinal parasites. It controls only the developing stages of fleas (sterilizes the flea). DOES NOT KILL ADULT FLEAS. Dogs must be tested for heartworm disease prior to administration.
- Program: active ingredient(s): lufenuron. Oral and injectable forms are available. Works in the same way as Sentinel but does not effect heartworms or intestinal parasites.
- Capstar: active ingredient(s): nitenpyram. Fast-acting, short-duration, oral product that rapidly kills adult fleas only. Will begin killing fleas within 30 minutes but lasts for only 24 hours. Can be used in combination with any of the above products.
- Over the counter products: companies such as Hartz, Seargents and Biospot have numerous items available for flea control. Most of the active ingredients used are pyrethrins and permethrins. These ingredients have a documented problem with resistance and in some cases have been known to cause toxicity to pets. PERMETHRIN-BASED PRODUCTS CAN BE LETHAL TO CATS! Do not ever give a product labeled for dogs to a cat and pay close attention to the minimum ages for cat products (there have been problems with some cat products that have made young cats and kittens ill). If you suspect that your cat or kitten is having a reaction to a flea product (shaking, tremors, seizures, etc.), bathe the cat immediately, place them in a quiet, protected place, and call your veterinarian.
No single product is right for every animal. Discuss with your veterinarian which program is best for your pet. Controlling fleas can be very time-consuming and frustrating. Consistency and diligence are the keys to eliminating the problem.
TICKS
- There are several different species of ticks that live in our area, many of which are capable of transmitting diseases such as Lyme's Disease and Rocky-Mountain Spotted Fever.
- Tick-prevention is very important to the health and well being of your pet. All mammals, including people, are susceptible to tick infestation.
- We have the most success with the topical spot-on treatments such as Frontline Plus and Advantix (DO NOT GIVE ADVINTIX TO CATS) for managing tick problems.
- Over the counter products such as powders and collars have shown resistance problems.
- During peak tick season (late-spring to early fall) every animal may benefit from tick prevention treatment. Any animal that spends significant time outdoors absolutely should be on a preventative. Talk to your vet about which product is right for your pet.
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