When you really want to know how to get rid of fleas on dogs, you must understand more than just a few easy tips on brushing your pet. Most flea infestations come from dirty animals.
Your dog or cat could have caught fleas from other animals during a play date, or while running about the lawn. The pet's skin can also be a fertile ground for these parasites, as it is extremely moist and warm. This provides a perfect breeding ground for the eggs to hatch into pupae.
As the adult fleas mature and begin to lay eggs, it will be easier to pinpoint the problem in order to remove them. The best way to remove a flea infestation is to catch it early. One of the most common ways is to bathe your pet regularly in hot water, which kills the adult fleas and their larvae.
The Life Cycle of Fleas
Understanding the life cycle of fleas is critical to devising an effective flea control plan. This will not only help stop new infestations from occurring, but will also help you identify current flea problems with ease. In this article, we'll take a look at how fleas mature, their life cycle, how to control and eliminate them, how they travel, where to find them, what they feed on, and why they are so dangerous to pets.
“ The life cycle of fleas generally starts with the life cycle of the adult flea. The flea life cycle generally includes four different stages: egg, adult, pupa, and adult flea. The adult flea feeds on blood in your dog for a period of approximately twenty four to seventy-four hours before releasing an adult flea egg. The pupae (new born fleas) live in the fur of your pet for approximately two to eight days, during which time they will feed and develop.”
The pupae (which are becoming adult fleas) feed for a period of approximately five to fourteen days, while the adult fleas live either in your pets fur or feces
Adult fleas lay eggs approximately once per week, on average. These eggs will hatch into larvae, which are tiny versions of the adult fleas.
The actual life cycle only differs by the species of flea and the life cycle. Lighter colored fleas (those which do not have darker colored abdomens) typically live for one to three weeks, after which they die off and begin to grow into pupae.
These fleas live longer than the adult fleas, and their lifecycle is usually between one to four weeks. When the adult fleas die, the pupae take over, living for another two to four weeks.
There are several signs to look for when determining if you have an ongoing flea infestation. One sign is if you notice blood in your dogs hair or around the base of the tail. Another sign is if your dog begins to lose weight.
If fleas are going through a full cycle of life cycle, there should be no shedding of fur, but there could be constant scratching of the body and scratching at the ears. Your dog's skin will also become inflamed during an active flea infestation.
To fully understand the life cycle, it is helpful to understand each of the four stages that occur during the life cycle. During the egg stage, the host (the flea that is acting as the mother) develops just enough to be able to lay a single egg.
This egg then develops into larvae, which can live up to four weeks. The developing larvae are then ready to turn into pupae. Finally, once the pupae are ready to start developing into adults, they turn into blackened, white, leathery fleas.
Most Effective Flea Control Methods:
There are several home remedies for the best flea control, which will help prevent the infestation from happening in the first place. One of the most effective and popular methods is through the use of essential oils.
- Most essential oils, also called aromatherapy have antiseptic qualities that repel fleas. Some of these oils include peppermint, eucalyptus, marjoram, rosemary, basil, thyme, lavender, and clove. All these essential oils can be found in health stores or herbal shops.
“ A more effective flea control involves the use of a pesticide known as Frontline”
- The Frontline pesticide is able to exterminate adult fleas before they develop into pupae. This ensures that their blood supply is cut off. With this method, the adult fleas will die within two days of ingesting the pesticide. This method is a surefire way to get rid of adult fleas from your pet's life cycle.
- Another good remedy is through using essential oils in your pet bedding and home. These oils are particularly effective because of the effect it has on mosquitoes, which are the primary carriers of various infectious diseases. The use of essential oils in your bedding and house can cut off the lifeline for these insects.
“ The most commonly used oils in bedding and houseplants are lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and chamomile ”
- Vacuum cleaning is also an effective flea control method: You can use a rotating insecticide vacuum with a Hot Water Vac. This works by sucking up the fleas in the air and suck them back into the vacuum. Fleas cannot survive in a clean environment, making regular vacuuming a good option for preventing them from multiplying.
- Some people also use pesticides to get rid of adult fleas. You should be careful when choosing which product you want to use as there are many options available on the market. The most popular among them is probably flea powder, which is applied on your pet's bedding and other items in the home. This will prevent the larvae from developing fully, thereby killing off all of them. It takes around six weeks before the first larvae hatch from the eggs.
- A popular option in flea control is called spot-on. This is a powder you apply directly on your pets. When applied on the skin, it will kill fleas immediately and prevent them from reproducing again. It also works by drying up the existing infestation, preventing your pets from coming in contact with it in the future.
- If none of the above highly effective flea treatment products worked for you, then you might also look into flea collars for your pets. There are several kinds available, and they work effectively to keep your pets from coming into contact with the insect again. Usually, a collar is attached to your pet's neck which works like a harness to catch fleas as they come near your pet. Collars are an effective flea control methods for not only cats and dogs, but also for birds and even ferrets.
- Last but not least, another effective flea control method that you can use is oral medications. These are usually used to treat adult fleas and prevent them from laying eggs. They can either be bought over the counter or prescribed by your veterinarian. While they are highly effective in killing adult fleas, they can be a bit harsh on your pets' health. It is always best to consult your veterinarian when you plan to take medication for fleas.
- You may also try putting down heavy infestation nets at your house. They work on preventing the insects from getting into your house, and they are also a good way to kill off eggs that have already been laid. This method can be used for several months, and it is great as long as you do not allow young fleas to hatch since they will still need to feed. For larger infestations, it is best to put them down for a week or more before putting them up for adoption.
- Another good way to rid your home of fleas is through the use of sprays. There are several types of sprays you can purchase, and most of them are safe for use on pets and in apartments. Sprays are effective in getting rid of adult fleas and eggs, but they can harm your pets if sprayed in their face for a long time. Also, because many flea extermination sprays contain chemicals, it is best to consult your veterinarian first to make sure that they are safe for your pets' health.
Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Fleas
Not only does diatomaceous earth offer amazing health benefits for us humans, it is also renowned to enhance pet health for pets. One of the main uses in pet's (mainly dogs) is diatomaceous earth as a flea killer. It is effective in killing adult fleas and their larvae as well as flea eggs, which cannot survive for more than three days. This method of flea control is completely safe and environment-friendly. But how exactly does it kill fleas?
Diatomaceous earth is actually composed of fossilized insects that once roamed the earth. These insects have long since lost their skeletal remains to the harsh environment which they adapted to on earth.
As these insects die, they release a substance called diatomaceous earth. This substance contains minute quantities of various elements such as iron, sulfur, chloride, magnesium, calcium, cobalt, zinc and manganese, which serve as a deterrent to insects such as mosquitoes and ticks. This prevents them from biting the animal which then becomes less attracted to the animal and more likely to seek safer grounds to bite.
Diatomaceous earth is applied to dogs' skin to help remove fleas and ticks from their skin. To do this, the application of the earth must first be cleaned, after which a thick layer of the substance must be brushed onto the dogs' skin (along the hairline and on the base of the tail).
After this is done, the dog can then be taken into a room with an open flame (a hot one can be used if there are several dogs in the room) and the insects must be positioned on the flea's sharp edges. Then the dogs must be shaken gently so that the exoskeleton of the insect gets firmly embedded on the sharp edges of the blades.
Why Does My Pet Have Fleas When I Use Flea Control Regularly?
One of the most common questions pet owners have is, "Why does my pet have fleas when I use flea control regularly?" There are many reasons why your pet can acquire these parasites.
Many pets may have gotten them from another pet, food, or another animal. Also, certain types of animals and/or food can leave residues on the pet's hair and skin that will cause an infestation with fleas.
In order to effectively control fleas, it is best to treat all areas of the house that your pet frequent.
This means you need to vacuum the floors, dehumidify the air in the rooms, change the dog bedding in the rooms, and wash the carpets and furniture thoroughly. If your pet has a favorite place to rest, you should make sure that you change the bedding and pillows often.
All of these things can help get rid of fleas from your pet and will prevent new ones from establishing themselves in the future.
The best flea management method for your pet is to control the parasites at their source. By vacuuming regularly, washing floors, pillows, toys, and the like, you are removing any potential breeding grounds for new fleas. Once you do this, you will be able to live a long healthy life with your pet free of fleas and other parasites.
Fleas are one of the most common kinds of pest that people have to deal with, and getting rid of them is something that all homeowners should know how to do.
While there are several methods to get rid of these pesky insects, the most effective ones depend on the type of infestation and the frequency of infestation. In other words, some treatments work better for house pets than they do for apartment dwellers.
Using any or all of these methods will ensure the prevention of these pests from multiplying, which is their primary objective. For best results, it is recommended that you take action as soon as you spot any signs of fleas appearing on your pet or to call a professional pest control service.
Read more: Diatomaceous Earth for Flea Control