Fleas are tough creatures, and they can survive for weeks – even months – after treatment. This can be a real challenge for pet owners who are trying to get rid of fleas. While flea treatments often kill most of the adult fleas on an animal, it’s important to understand that the eggs and larvae that were already present prior to treatment will still be around after the treatment is applied. Depending on environmental factors like humidity and temperature, these eggs and larvae can remain dormant or hatch weeks later, leading to subsequent infestations.
The best way to get rid of a flea infestation is to use a combination of treatments such as insecticides, shampooing with deterrents like citrus or pine oil, vacuuming regularly and preventing pets from having contact with wild animals. It’s also important to remember that adult fleas only account for about 5% of an active infestation – the other 95% consists of undeveloped eggs, larvae and pupae which are unaffected by products specifically aimed at killing adult fleas. Therefore, in order to effectively treat and prevent future infestations, it’s important to take steps for eliminating all life stages of the flea cycle.
Introduction to Fleas
Fleas are incredibly resilient little creatures. They can survive outside of the body, in your carpets and furniture, and they often find their way back to you even after treatments. So why are fleas so resilient?
The answer is a combination of their physical attributes and their life cycle. Fleas have hard exoskeletons which protect them from most pesticides and insecticides, as well as powerful hind legs that allow them to jump long distances for finding new hosts. Furthermore, fleas have an interesting life cycle where eggs are laid out of direct contact with the host, allowing them to survive treatment without being killed off directly by the chemicals used in the treatment process. As soon as a suitable host is found, those eggs hatch and reproduce once again – making for an even bigger flea infestation!
Review of available flea treatments
Fleas can be persistent and difficult to get rid of, even after a flea treatment has been applied. The effectiveness of the flea treatment will depend on the type of product you are using and how it is administered. Before selecting a flea treatment, consider reviewing online dating service the available options and what will work best for your pet.
Spot-on treatments that are applied directly onto your pet are the most common form of flea treatment, with more than 80% of dog owners reporting its use in 2013. Spot-on treatments come in liquid or semi-liquid formats and generally contain a combination of adulticides (like permethrin or fipronil), insect growth regulators (like pyriproxyfen) or other insecticides like imidacloprid. You should consult your veterinarian before using any over-the-counter spot-on treatments as instructions must be followed exactly to ensure optimal effectiveness.
For cats, topical flea spot-ons are only intended for those above 6 weeks of age, so other types of products need to be used for younger kittens. Oral medications (such as Program Flavor Tabs) have become increasingly popular due to their ease of administration and good overall effectiveness. This product comes in tablet form but also contains lufenuron which inhibits egg production in fleas leading to fewer infestations; however, an initial dose plus monthly boosters are required for it to be fully effective. Along with treatments designed specifically for cats and dogs there are also some general insecticide sprays that can provide temporary relief from fleas inside homes or outdoor areas where pets spend time.
Possible Causes of Flea Re-Infestation
There are many possible causes of flea re-infestation following treatment. One common cause is that the original environment wasn’t treated properly. It’s important to treat all pet bedding, carpets, rugs, furniture and other areas where pets have been in order to get rid of existing fleas. If even one area is missed, those fleas can escape and find a new home.
Another potential reason for continued flea activity is that the original treatment was not effective enough or it simply wore off before all the fleas were eliminated. Depending on the type of treatment used, an additional application may be necessary in order to achieve complete elimination of fleas from a household or yard. Additionally, if pet owners wait too long to reapply treatment or switch types of treatments frequently, this may also lead to partial effectiveness resulting in ongoing infestations.
Finally, another potential cause is that there have been new introductions of infested animals or objects into the environment. This could include visitors with dogs who themselves may be harbouring parasites such as fleas which then transfer into the living environment when they arrive at a pet owner’s home. The influx of new insects can bring about re-infestations despite any previous treatments applied by owners.
Impact on Animals and Humans from Flea Infestations
Flea infestations can have devastating impact on animals and humans. Not only do fleas cause intense itching for both animals and people, but a severe infestation can lead to skin irritation, hair loss and sores. For pets especially, fleas are one of the leading causes of allergic reactions.
In addition, fleas carry diseases that can be passed from animal to animal or even human to animal. Fleas will often carry bacteria that can cause bubonic plague, typhus and cat scratch fever in human hosts; while cats and dogs may become infected with tapeworms or bartonellosis which cause anemia. If left untreated these diseases can become debilitating or life-threatening.
The good news is that most cases of flea infestation are treatable with over-the-counter products like flea collars and spot on treatments. However, if an infestation is severe or recurring, it’s advisable to seek professional help to ensure complete eradication of the pests from your home or yard.