How to Get Rid of a Flea Infestation – Preventatives are Not Enough

Just the Facts about Fleas

Flea infestation. Makes your skin crawl doesn’t it? Despite advancements in flea prevention treatment, flea infestations are still a fairly common in homes with dogs or cats.  Part of the problem is misconceptions about flea prevention leave some pet owners vulnerable to these pesky, proliferous pests.

Here’s the truth about three common misconceptions:

“I’m treating my pet for fleas, so my home is protected.”

Many people think treating their pets with flea preventatives like Frontline Plus or Advantix will protect their homes from every flea — or even resolve an existing environmental infestation. They don’t. Topical flea preventatives and collars are designed to project just your pet and only kill the fleas on your pet. Of course, if your pet doesn’t bring home the bugs, preventatives help to reduce the chances of flea infestations in your home and yard.

“All flea preventatives are the same.”

Wrong. There are many different flea preventatives on the market, and knowing the difference makes a difference.  The flea has four stages in its life cycle: egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. Some preventative treatments only kill adult fleas. If you use these alone, the flea life cycle can continue on your pet. Other preventatives contain an insect growth regulator (IGR) that breaks the flea life cycle and stops eggs and larvae from developing. For broad-spectrum protection for your dog or cat, be sure to choose a preventative treatment that contains an IGR.  Ask your pet’s veterinarian about the best flea and tick preventative for your area, then check out VetRxDirect’s wide selection flea preventatives.

“I’ve treated my home so the fleas are all gone.”

If you have a flea infestation, you may want to consult the professionals about the best way to eliminate it completely. There are also plenty of effective “DIY” approaches that you can learn about online. Either way, stopping a flea infestation takes time and diligence; one treatment and thorough house cleaning may not be enough. Flea pupae that are in the cocoon stage are resistant to insecticides so you may continue to see fleas in your home for several weeks after treatment. Continue vacuuming and cleaning, especially in the areas where your pet spends the most time, to control any adult fleas that developed after the treatment. If fleas are still present after about a month, another treatment may be required.

As they say, “prevention is the best medicine.” To avoid flea problems, talk to your veterinarian about the best flea prevention treatment for your dog or cat and use it diligently to keep your pet  — and your home – happy and healthy.

Down with fleas!

Wes