Thursday, August 11, 2011

Get Rid of Dog Fleas

Fleas are a significant problem that every dog owner ultimately has to deal with. Anyone who owns a pet has almost certainly gone through the difficult job of getting rid of fleas, a battle which has often proved to be more difficult than it looks.

Fleas are not merely an issue because they bite and precipitate hours of frustrating itching for your dog, but they can also cause more critical problems such as tapeworm infestations, flea allergies in dogs and in acute situations, anemia.

Due to their amazing stamina, fleas are inconceivably tough to keep in check. The female flea may lay more than 2,000 eggs in her lifecycle, which indicates that infection could strike suddenly and the eggs that are laid can endure for quite a few months in nature while just awaiting an appropriate target. For this reason it is imperative to control both the fleas on your pet as well as the fleas residing in the animal's living space. The top locations to look for fleas are sand, bed linens, rugs and carpeting.

The Best Methods to Get Rid of Dog Fleas

To successfully get rid of dog fleas on your pet and in his surroundings, it is basic to understand the flea's lifespan. There are four stages that makeup the life span of the flea. Like the majority of insects, the fleas originates from the egg stage, turns into larva, then progresses into the pupa phase until lastly getting to the adult stage.

The Flea Egg Stage

The fleas eggs are pallid in color and are so minute that they are difficult to find without the use of a magnifying glass. Though the eggs are originally laid on the dog's skin, a lot will ultimately fall onto the ground to perpetuate their expedition to an adult. Approximately 50 percent of the entire flea count is made up of eggs. Depending upon the surrounding conditions, the eggs hatch in somewhere between two to four weeks. The greater the temperature and humidity in the living area, the quicker the eggs will hatch.

The Flea's Larva Stage

As soon as the flea egg hatches, it enters the larva phase where it expands to approximately 1/4 inch in length. The flea larvae survive on organic waste matter and in the feces of the adult flea. They don't like strong lights and have a tendency to take cover deep inside the current surroundings, if at all possible in a warm and humid area. Climate controlled homes are the preferred surroundings for the flea lifecycle to flourish. Outdoors, larva maturity will only take place in wet, shaded locations.

The Flea's Pupa Stage

After moving into the pupae phase, the flea pupae grow a silken and tacky protecting shell. The layer promptly structures a valuable camouflage as it becomes encased by debris and silt. If stimulated by warmth, carbon dioxide or by physical pressure, like that in a warm and moist location, an adult flea might come out from its chrysalis in as quickly as 5 to 10 days. When the adult flea emerges from the cocoon, it will live for only a few days unless it's able to feed. Pre-emerged adult fleas may exist in the chrysalis for as many as nine months. This is pertinent for the reason that adult fleas that still live inside the cocoon are resilient to insect repellents sprayed in the environment and can emerge a significant time after you utilize insecticides in your home.

The Flea's Adulthood Stage

As soon as the adult flea comes out from the cocoon, it will want to promptly get a host as it has to have blood if it is to subsist. A few days after finding an acceptable host, the female flea will start laying around 40 eggs each day. Adult fleas ordinarily survive up to 3 weeks. The complete lifecycle of a flea can be ended in as quickly as two to four weeks, or up to 10 months contingent upon the surrounding conditions.

Treating a Dog for Fleas

There are many shampoos, powders, sprays and on the spot measures available for killing fleas on dogs. Be certain to consult with a veterinarian to pick the truly helpful and reliable flea insecticides for your home and pets.

Methods to Get Rid of Dog Fleas Indoors

Most products are simply helpful against the adult flea, but environmental products are becoming more refined. A veterinarian can provide you flea pesticides that are comprised of insect growth regulators that will help destroy the flea eggs and larvae. Prior to using any indoor pesticide, you should vacuum the carpeting and rugs to persuade the pre-adult fleas to surface from their protective cocoon. Be certain to throw out the vacuum bag following its use. You should also clean the bedding your pet has rested on.

Methods to Get Rid of Dog Fleas Outdoors

Pay particular attention to dim, shaded spots. Spray a product made from an insect growth regulator and do it again every 2-3 weeks for 3 to 5 treatments. The latest topical and oral flea formulas will profoundly assist you in taking care of your flea problems. With determination and patience, you and your best friend should be free of fleas in a jiffy!

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