Killing Fleas
How To Kill Fleas
How many of you own a cat or dog, and of those how many have experienced the problems presented by fleas? Fleas are tiny, absolutely microscopic parasites that live on cats, on dogs and on humans and other animals, and feed off our blood. They are so small that they are nigh on impossible to catch, so killing fleas becomes a challenge that has many different approaches.
First, it is important to understand that the flea will most likely lay eggs on your carpets and furniture, bedding and other soft places, so these have to be attended to in time, but the initial detective work involves finding out where the fleas are coming from.
If you have cats or dogs they are very likely to be the culprits; fleas are so common and widespread that it is said no domestic cat or dog will go through life without experiencing fleas. Killing fleas on cats and fleas on dogs involves the application of an insecticide powder or spray (something that, I can tell you from experience, cats in particular will find very annoying indeed!) The chemicals in these are designed to kill the fleas although getting rid of fleas also involves destroying the eggs.
The best way to approach this is to get into a regular routine of vacuuming, including going over the furniture as well as the carpets; this will remove the majority of eggs and reduce the likelihood of the infestation spreading, but you also need to make sure your beloved cat has not gone out to meet his friends and brought yet more home – he will, in time.
More About Fleas
Fleas are often thought of as irritating but harmless creatures, yet they can – in kittens and puppies especially – induce anaemia from the feeding on blood and also cause allergic reactions in some. These can be dangerous conditions for infant pets to undergo, and must be kept at bay if an infestation is found. No contact with an infected animal should be allowed for kittens or puppies, and also young children should be kept away from infected animals for the same reason.
While the common dog flea and cat flea are actually different creatures from the same family, they are adaptable and can live on each others named host, but while they bite us they will not live on us. The human flea is in fact a rare occurrence, and instances of fleas living on humans are not of the commonest variety.
Controlling And Killing Fleas
The non-toxic Victor Ultimate Flea Trap detects and controls indoor flea problems. The unique lighted dome attracts fleas in 360 degrees, from up to 30 feet away, while the “Super Grabber” glue holds them fast.
The Ultimate Flea Trap includes:
- One (1) Trap
- Two (2) Super Grabber Glue Discs
The light bulb allows for easy viewing of results and a heat source to attract the fleas out of upholstery and carpeting, while the unique open dome design allows for quick glue trap replacement.
All About Killing Fleas.
Fleas on Dogs
Fleas on Dogs
We love to keep pets – the companionship and the enjoyment we get from caring for a cat or dog is something that cannot be found elsewhere – yet fleas on dogs are an almost ubiquitous problem, just as the tiny parasites affect cats to such a great degree, too.
Fleas are everywhere; these microscopic and very resilient creatures are said to affect every single dog and cat at some point during its lifetime (and in most cases more than once) and treating them is made more difficult still by the absolutely minute size.
Fleas On Dogs : Creatures Feed on the Animal’s Blood
The problem with fleas on dogs is that the creatures feed on the animal’s blood; in young dogs especially this can lead to added infection as the fleas cause blood problems and other infections which can lead to serious illness and even death in very young animals.
Dogs that associate with others are likely to contract fleas by contact; fleas cannot fly yet they have an amazing ability to jump more than 200 times the length of their body, a feat that is not matched by any other creature. This means they can easily transfer between hosts, and that they spread very quickly indeed.
One problem that is prevalent in flea infestations on dogs – and in fleas on humans, too – is that some can be subject to allergenic reactions to the presence of the creatures. This is another way in which the parasites can cause greater problems if they are left untreated.
Fleas are not just a minor problem, therefore, but one that should be treated with a serious intent. If you have more than one dog then the fleas will undoubtedly spread between the animals, making successful treatment ever more important.
Getting rid of fleas is best done by way of one of the many insecticide treatments available from vets and pharmacies widely, and these are known to have very successful results. Further help can be given by frequent and thorough vacuuming and keeping the animals washed, while combing through the hair of the pet can allow you to see fleas as they fall off onto a carefully placed sheet of white paper.
Any animals that are suspected of having fleas should be kept away from others until the infestation is known to have been destroyed, while any suspected cases of fleas need to be diagnosed quickly and correctly, and the very best possible treatment administered as quickly as possible.
How to treat fleas on dogs?
Use Advantage – For Dogs & Puppies For Fleas on dogs! Advantage is a long-lasting, once a month topical flea treatment. This over-the-counter formula is for puppies and dogs 8 weeks or older. Advantage contains imidacloprid, this fast acting flea preventive stops fleas from biting in 3-5 minutes, begins killing fleas within the first hour of application and eliminates 98%-100% of adult fleas within 12 hours of use. The ingredient imidacloprid works by affecting the flea or tick’s nervous system. Because Advantage works fast and has been found to be ideal for dogs suffering from Flea Allergy Dermatitis.
All About Fleas.
Mites Cats
Mites Cats – don’t confuse with Bed Bugs
When it comes to mites cats do not have it easy; our feline companions are prone to suffering from a number of different types of skin mites, and can be quite badly affected should the condition be left to escalate.
Let’s get something clear before we go on: mites are not fleas, which are another common parasite found on cats, but members of the arachnid family that come in many forms and, like fleas, drink blood to survive.
Mites cats may have to suffer are widely found and come in many forms: the harvest mite is one that is often found on cats that roam outdoors, while the ear mite is a common mite that – as the name suggests – likes to live in the ear where it is warm, moist and cosy, but will also exist anywhere eon the cats body, and scabies mite – or itch mite – is perhaps the most troublesome of the three and also occurs on humans. All three, too, can also be found as skin mites on dogs with similar worrying results.
Dealing with the scabies mite first, this little creature is one that has a disgusting habit: feeding off our blood is one thing, but actually burrowing under our skin to lay its eggs is quite another. This makes it difficult to find when present on cats, and as a result the best indication of mites – as it is with all – is the appearance of irregular scratching in a particular area, and possible hair loss as a result.
Indeed, it is the scabies mite that is the cause of the serious skin condition we know as mange, and this occurs when an infection is allowed to get out of control and the colony to multiply, resulting in a lot of burrowing in one area and the attendant scratching. In people, this condition is known as scabies, and has much the same results.
Ear mites may be indicated by an animal repeatedly shaking its head as if to get rid of something attached; appropriately so, as that is exactly the case. Ear mites are more prevalent in cats than dogs, but can affect canines too.
Treating ear mites is different to treating scabies mites and harvest mites, and any indication of mites on cats should be followed by a proper examination by a vet, after which either the appropriate insecticide lotion or cream or, if preferred, a natural based remedy can be applied.
