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Understanding the Flea Life Cycle to Help Control Fleas on Your Dog

May 11, 2010 By 6 Comments

flea 000002937031Medium 150x150 Understanding the Flea Life Cycle to Help Control Fleas on Your DogFleas are pesky parasites and have adapted very well to living in our houses. In fact, houses are at the perfect temperature and humidity to become hatching factories for fleas. I no longer recommend flea control just in the spring and summer, but prefer to use flea control on pets all year round. It is better to prevent a flea infestation that try to eradicate one. One flea can hitch a ride on your pants leg from visiting a friends house, and if this flea is a female, chances are she already laden with thousands of eggs. Fortunately, fleas prefer to feast on the smaller critters rather than humans, because our pet’s body temperature is a few degrees higher than ours. But if the dog, cat or ferret are not present, then fleas will indeed bite a human.

To control fleas, you must have an understanding of the flea life cycle and the points in that life cycle where they are vulnerable to eradication. You also need to know what products that will kill the fleas and which ones are safe for your pets. Because some people may have more than one species of pets in the household, you do not want to use a product on a dog that may be potentially toxic to a cat or a ferret.

flea control 300x240 Understanding the Flea Life Cycle to Help Control Fleas on Your Dog

We will start with the life cycle of the flea.

  • A female flea begins to feed on her host as soon as she hops a ride. Her blood meal nourishes the eggs and egg production begins within 20 to 24 hours after her first feeding.
  • Female fleas can lay 20 to 50 eggs a day and 2000 in her lifetime.
  • The female flea consumes 15 times her weight in blood a day.
  • A flea bites your pet 400 times a day.
  • The “flea dirt” found on your pet is the flea feces made of your pet’s blood. You can tell it is flea dirt if you put a small amount on a white paper towel and apply a small amount of water. As the dirt dissolves it will turn the paper towel red.
  • The eggs are pearly white, oval and about 0.5 mm in length. slide0004 image023 Understanding the Flea Life Cycle to Help Control Fleas on Your Dog
  • The term “salt and pepper” refers to the flea eggs that are about the size of a grain of salt and the flea dirt that falls off of the pet. It is most notable on the bedding of the pet or where ever the pet lays.
  • The eggs are laid on the pet and roll off the pet into the environment.
  • Depending on the temperature and humidity, fleas can go from eggs to adults in as little as 13 days to as long as 8 months.
  • The flea eggs hatch into flea larvae which look similar to small maggots covered with tiny hairs.slide0005 image034 Understanding the Flea Life Cycle to Help Control Fleas on Your Dog
  • The flea larvae do not like light and will crawl through the carpet to seek darkness under the furniture, in cracks and crevices of cushions and in other out of the way areas.
  • This is one reason why traditional “flea bombs” are sometimes ineffective. The spray goes up and comes back down, and does not reach where the larvae are hiding and feeding.
  • Flea larvae feed on the adult flea blood feces dropped off your pet and other organic matter in your carpet.
  • The length of the larval stage of the flea is dependent on the temperature and humidity of the house.
  • The next stage of development is the pupae or cocoon.slide0006 image041 Understanding the Flea Life Cycle to Help Control Fleas on Your Dog
  • The larvae builds the cocoon and uses some of the debris in the environment such as carpet fibers into the shell of the cocoon.
  • The shell of the cocoon is now “glued” into the carpet and impossible to vacuum up.
  • The shell also provides protection from the elements and also insecticides.
  • Fleas will emerge from the cocoon when the temperature is around 24° (75.2° F) and a relative humidity of 78%.
  • The flea can remain in the cocoon for up to 30 weeks.
  • The flea will emerge from the cocoon when stimulated by:
  1. Mechanical pressure or vibrations- such as someone or a pet walking by.
  2. CO2 – Carbon dioxide from the pet or person breathing.
  3. Increased temperature.
  • Homeowners away for a vacation can sometimes experience the sudden hatch out of thousands of fleas that were in the cocoon state ready to emerge. The vibrations of the owners returning and the exhaled carbon dioxide coupled with the air conditioner turning back on will stimulate the fleas to emerge and start to bite anything that is near. This sudden hatch out can also occur in vacant houses that have just been moved into.

Now that you understand the life cycle of the flea, let us find the points that the flea can be killed.

  • The first point is on the pet. There are newer products available that are safe to use and will kill the flea with in the first 24 hours of the flea jumping on the pet. Why is this important? Remember that the flea does not start laying eggs until 20 to 24 hours after her first blood meal. If you can kill the female flea before she begins to lay eggs, you are a giant leap ahead of controlling your flea population.
  • Point number two. Intermittently applying flea control products will result in gaps in your flea control that will result in female fleas laying eggs that can hatch out a year later. I recommend that you use the flea preventative products once a month all year round. Consider the flea not as a seasonal critter, but an indoor monster waiting to hatch out of your carpet and suck your pet’s blood.
  • Point number three. The eggs and cocoons have a protective shell that make them resistant to the insecticides. The larvae and the adult fleas are the only stages that can be killed by insecticides.
  • Point number four. Insect growth regulators are effective to keep flea eggs from hatching, but are difficult to apply in the areas that the flea eggs are hiding.
  • Point number five – Frequent use of insecticides in your house and yard can build up and may cause toxicity to you and your family.For these reasons, I do not like insecticide foggers or bombs in the house. They do not get in the areas that hide the fleas and they contain insecticides that can build up in your house.

5770857981406152 Understanding the Flea Life Cycle to Help Control Fleas on Your Dogplay Understanding the Flea Life Cycle to Help Control Fleas on Your Dog
So, what products are safe to use on my pet?

ADVANTAGE

- The advantage product by Bayer (Imidacloprid) is an excellent product for the control of fleas on dogs, cats and ferrets. (not officially labeled for use on ferret see post on http://www.allferret.com/1425/controling-fleas-on-ferrets/)

Advantage has unique crystals that are not harmful to mammals, but totally incapacitate the fleas. There is a 99% kill rate within 12 hours after applying the advantage. The obvious advantage is it kills the female flea before she begins to lay her eggs, thus breaking the life cycle. The other advantage is the imidacloprid crystals that are attached to the hairs of the pet fall off the animal into the environment, i.e. the carpet, etc. as the pet sheds hair. When the larvae emerge from the safe confines of their egg shell and come in contact with the crystals in the carpet, the result is another dead flea larvae within 2o minutes.

So by applying the advantage product to your pet once a month, all year round, you are also effectively treating the environment as the fleas are hatching out.

Check out how it works at http://advantage.petparents.com/

ADVANTAGE-Multi

(imidacloprid/moxidectin)

Advantage – multi contains the imidacloprid like the Advantage but also contains moxidectin. By adding moxidectin advantage- multi prevents heartworm disease, kills adult fleas and controls flea infestations, and treats and controls intestinal worms (hookworms and roundworms). Advantage-multi is applied once a month for both cats and dogs. We have also used it to control ear mites and other mites. Advantage -multi is only available with a prescription but is well worth it for what it covers.

For more information check out http://www.advantagemulti.com/

Revolution

Revolution is the first-ever FDA-approved, topically applied medication for dogs and cats that kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching out, treats and controls earmites, treats and controls sarcoptic mange, and also helps control the brown dog tick. Revolution contains selamectin and is topically applied. Revolution then enters the bloodstream through the skin. Concentrations of Revolution in the blood and tissues prevent heartworm disease and treats the intestinal parasites (hookworms and roundworms). Revolution selectively redistributes from the blood to the skin, where it provides protection against fleas, flea eggs, American dog tick, and mites. I recommend the Revolution be applied once a month to both dogs and cats all year round. Revolution is also only available with a prescription.

Learn more from Pfizer at http://www.revolutionpet.com/revolutionpet.aspx

Vectra 3D

Vectra 3D for dogs contains 3 ingredients dinotefuran, pyriproxyfen, permethrin. Because cats are sensitive to permethrins, you cannot use the Vectra 3D dog product on cats. The combination of Vectra’s ingredients help to protect dogs from 4 species of ticks, 3 species of mosquitoes and all stages of fleas.

Dinotefuran is a quick-kill insecticide discovered by researchers at Mitsui Chemicals. A third generation neonicotinoid, dinotefuran was synthesized with acetycholine as the lead compound, making it different from other flea control products currently in use which are based on nicotine.

Over the last 10 years, fleas have developed tolerance to older products, making them less effective in protecting pets from infestation and infection.

In addition, dinotefuran does not bind to the same insect receptor sites in the nerve synapse as imidacloprid and other neonicotinoids. The binding is permanent causing continuous nerve stimulation and death of the insect. Ingestion is not necessary. Dinotefuran kills by contact.

In numerous studies and clinics across the U.S., Vectra® vectoricides – which are based on the compound dinotefuran – have killed fleas quickly and safely for a full 30 days between applications.

The permethrin helps repel mosquitoes and ticks is not adequate enough to totally protect from heartworms. If you are using Vectra 3D for fleas, you should also use a heartworm preventative to protect from heartworms and intestinal parasites. Vectra 3D is also applied topically once a month and should also be used year round.

Vectra for Cats

The Vectra for cats does not contain permethrin.

Vectra® for Cats & Kittens and Vectra for Cats® contains a unique dual-action formulation that’s proven highly effective against fleas:

  • Dinotefuran: quick-kill contact neonicotinoid that causes continuous nervous stimulation in insects resulting intremors and death.
  • Pyriproxyfen: potent IGR prevents development of all immature flea stages; stable in sunlight.

In numerous studies and clinics across the country, Vectra for Cats & Kittens and Vectra for Cats have provided fast, safe, long-lasting protection against fleas and flea-borne diseases.

  • Kills fleas within 6 hours.
  • Kills on contact; fleas do not have to bite to die.
  • Prevents development of all immature flea stages: eggs, larvae and pupae.
  • Protects against flea-borne diseases including tularemia, rickettsiosis, bartonellosis and tapeworm.
  • One application protects cats for 1 month.
  • Safe for kittens as young as 8 weeks of age.
  • Patented applicator makes administration fast, easy and accurate.

Vectra does not cover intestinal parasites, heartworms, or earmites.

SunmmitVetPharm.com http://summitvetpharm.com/Pet-Owners/

Promeris

ProMeris® for dogs is a topical, waterproof spot-on product for the control of existing flea and tick infestations, as well as the prevention of re-infestation, in dogs and puppies 8 weeks and older.ProMeris for dogs contains metaflumizone, as well as amitraz. A single dose effectively stops and controls flea and tick infestations, prevents flea re-infestations for up to six weeks, and tick re-infestations for up to four weeks. Monthly application is generally recommended for optimal control of fleas and ticks.

The Amitraz in Promeris is also effective againt Demodectic Mange in dogs.

Promeris does not protect your pet from heartworms or intestinal parasites.

ProMeris for dogs is available with a prescription:

  • Kills the fleas that may cause flea allergy dermatitis
  • Kills the ticks that may transmit Lyme disease, canine ehrlichiosis, or Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • Provides waterproof protection
  • Includes an easy-to-use applicator
  • Is gentle enough for dogs and puppies 8 weeks and older
  • Works on indoor and outdoor dogs

ProMeris for cats is a topical, spot-on product for the effective control of existing flea infestations and prevention of re-infestations in cats and kittens 8 weeks and older. It’s the only product available from a veterinarian that contains a proven, active ingredient called metaflumizone, and research shows fleas are readily susceptible.

ProMeris for cats is available with a prescription:

  • Effectively stops and controls infestations and prevents re-infestations of fleas for up to seven weeks
  • Provides optimal flea control with one monthly dose
  • May be used as part of a treatment strategy for flea allergy dermatitis
  • Includes an easy-to-use applicator
  • Is gentle enough for cats and kittens 8 weeks and older

Visit http://www.promeris.com/ for more information.

Comfortis

Comfortis® is the first FDA-approved, chewable, beef-flavored tablet that kills fleas and prevents flea infestations on dogs for a full month.

Only Comfortis® offers you all of these benefits in a single product:

  • Fast, month-long flea protection
    • Starts killing fleas within 30 minutes
    • Lasts a full month
  • Kills fleas before they can lay eggs
  • The convenience of a chewable, beef-flavored tablet

COMFORTIS chewable tablets contain (spinosad) . Spinosad is a member of the spinosyns class of insecticides, which are non-antibacterial tetracyclic macrolides. Because it is ingested, the flea must bite the dog to receive the deadly dose. Comfortis also does not treat the environment so you will continue to find fleas for several months until all the eggs, larvae and pupae have completed their life cycle.

Comfortis does not protect your pet from heartworms, intestinal parasites, ticks or mites and is only effective against the fleas. You must use other products in conjunction with Comfortis to protect from the other parasites.

Go to http://comfortis4dogs.com/ for more information

Capstar

Capstar contains nitenpyran and is also given orally. It is effective at killing fleas in 30 minutes and the flea must bite the dog to get the lethal dose. Capstar is only effective for one day so I seldom use it especially when other products that last the full month are available. Capstar is only used to kill fleas and does not protect your pet from heatworms, intestinal parasites, mites or ticks.

A few words about OTC (over the counter) flea medications. It has been my experience that the OTC flea spot-ons sprays and flea collars are NOT effective flea control products and I do not recommend them.

As you can see, there is a variety of products available for flea control. Each one has it’s own merits and covers different parasites. If you seem at all confused, get with your veterinarian and discuss with him or her what products they recommend. Since I live in a mosquito, flea, tick, and intestinal parasite hot bed in Houston, TX, my preference has been Revolution because it covers almost everything and because it is absorbed through the skin, bathing does not remove the product. Also cats are now getting heartworms so I am also recommending the Revolution be applied to cats year round to help prevent heartworm disease. I also like the Revolution for the earmite and sarcoptic mange control as well as the intestinal parasite control.

I have given a brief synopsis and links to the supporting websites so you can be an educated consumer.

I hope this has helped.

Debra Garrison, DVM

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My Dog Has Fleas!

July 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Fleas are a problem for dogs and their owners alike. These tiny insects will live on the body of your dog, sucking the animal’s blood and laying eggs. The bites and presence of fleas will cause the dog to itch and if the dog happens to be allergic to fleas (the allergy is technically to the insects’ saliva) it can experience extreme itching, loss of fur in some places, inflammation, and infections. Regardless of whether the dog has an allergy to flea saliva, infestations must be dealt with or they will go on and on and the fleas will also infest your home, other pets, and can even live on humans. In short; you can be directly and adversely affected by an uncontrolled flea infestation.

Detecting Fleas

If you suspect that your dog has fleas because it’s been scratching more than usual, there are ways to check for their presence. Fleas are very small (about an eighth of an inch long), but visible to the naked eye, and brownish in color. Because they prefer dark places they will try to hide beneath the dog’s fur, under the collar, or on the underbelly. Their fecal material can also be seen on the dog’s coat and looks like multiple black flecks or specks – almost like pepper. If fleas or their droppings are found it is time to treat your dog to get rid of them.

Treating Your Dog for Fleas

While flea collars, powders, and sprays may help to prevent infestations to some extent, they will not help if the dog is already infested. When fleas are infesting a dog the female lays eggs at a rate of about thirty per day. These eggs fall off the dog and into the carpet, soil, or wherever the dog may be. In these areas they hatch and pupate, eventually growing into adult fleas which can then re-infest the dog. In order to halt the cycle all the fleas on the dog and in the environment must be killed or the life cycle must be interrupted.

There are several flea treatments available for dogs, but one of the best is an oral medication that will not kill adult fleas, but does kill the eggs and larva. This interrupts the flea life cycle and prevents them from coming back, as long as the dog is not continually exposed to new fleas. If that is happening, the source must be cleaned of fleas whether it is the carpet, the environment, or other dogs with which your pet associates.

Fleas can be a real nuisance for dogs and their owners, but catching them and treating the dog quickly is the key to eliminating the infestation and preventing the insects’ return.

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Kill Fleas The Advantix Way

July 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Keep your dog free of fleas and ticks with Advantix. This great product provides awesome protection for your dog. No one likes to find fleas hopping on their dogs or ticks embedded in their dog’s skin. Advantix kills nearly all fleas within the first several hours, so it is helpful in dogs with dermatitis caused by flea allergies. Safe enough to use on very young puppies, Advantix does not lose its ability to kill fleas and ticks even after getting wet while swimming or bathing.

advantix640 Kill Fleas The Advantix Wayplay Kill Fleas The Advantix Way

So if you should see a flea hopping around on your dog or find a tick imbedded in his skin, reach for K9 Advantix and protect your dog and your home from an infestation. Advantix does not need a prescription to use but may be purchased from your veterinarian.

advantixiiteal6 Kill Fleas The Advantix Way

6 MONTH K9 ADVANTIX II Medium Dog (for dogs 11-20 lbs)

K9 Advantix II for Medium Dogs up to 11-20 lbs Keep your dog safe from irritating and dangerous pests with K9 Advantix II for Medium Dogs weighing 11-20 pounds. Formulated for dogs seven weeks of age and older and weighing 11-20 pounds , K9 Advantix II outperforms its competitors not only by killing more varieties of pests, but also by repelling them to prevent future attacks. Repels and Kills Ticks, Fleas, and Mosquitos The active ingredients in K9 Advantix II help keep your dog safe from ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes. These effective compounds attack the pests’ nerve cells, paralyzing and effectively killing them, as well as repelling them from future attacks. Most ticks are repelled and killed before they can attach, which may reduce the risk of transmitting disease-causing organisms to your pet. K9 Advantix II effectively kills and repels Deer ticks, American dog ticks, Brown dog ticks, and Lone Star ticks. Flea life cycle. View larger . Fights Against Fleas at All Stages of Development K9 Advantix II protects your pet against fleas at all stages of the parasite’s development. K9 Advantix II breaks the flea life cycle by killing the living fleas on your dog before they can lay eggs. It also prevents the development of existing flea eggs, larvae, and pupae, helping to prevent future infestations. K9 Advantix II also kills reinfesting fleas (newly hatched fleas jumping back on your dog) within two hours, and it prevents fleas on a treated dog from infesting your home. Effective Against Biting Flies and Lice In addition to complete tick, flea, and mosquito protection, K9 Advantix II also repels painful biting flies from feeding on your dog, and it effectively kills up to 100 percent of lice within one week of treatment. Waterproof Formula K9 Advantix II is waterproof, so there’s no need to reapply after your dog has a bath or goes for a swim. Studies show that dogs are still protected against parasites after exposure to water, though for best results, dogs treated with K9 Advantix II should be bathed with a non-detergent shampoo. Package Contents Box includes six 1.0-milliliter tubes of K9 Advantix II for Medium Dogs up to 11-20 pounds. K9 Advantix II for Medium Dogs up to 11-20 lbs Kills and repels ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes Repels biting flies and kills lice Waterproof formula won’t wash off from swimming or bathing Includes six convenient one-month doses Easy to apply For dogs seven weeks of age and older and weighing 11-20 pounds View larger . The adult fleas you see are only a small percentage of the infestation. View larger . K9 Advantix II is Available In: Small Dog (under 10 pounds) Medium Dog (11 – 20 pounds) Large Dog (21 – 55 pounds) Extra-Large Dog (over 55 pounds) 4 month 6 month 12 month 4 month 6 month 12 month 4 month 6 month 12 month 4 month 6 month 12 month

Kill Fleas The Advantix Way

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Use The Advantage Way To Control Fleas In Your Pets

June 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

When fleas are a problem, use Advantage to kill them fast! Pet owners hope to never see a flea, but if fleas should become a problem, they need to be stopped as quickly as possible. The fleas must be killed, and their life cycle must be interrupted in order to be completely rid of the pesky critters.

With no prescription required to purchase Advantage, you can start killing fleas on your pet immediately. Advantage kills 98% of fleas with the first twelve hours and continues to work for up to four weeks with one application. It is applied between the shoulder blades of the dogs, and it breaks the life cycle of the flea when it kills the larvae. Advantage can be used on puppies as young as seven weeks, and is water resistant; it continues to kill fleas even after exposure to water. It is also safe for nursing or pregnant dogs.

There is also an Advantage for our feline pals. It can be used on kittens as young as eight weeks and also nursing or pregnant cats.

Guaranteed and US EPA approved, Advantage contains imidacloprid, the fastest known flea preventative. For ease of application, Advantage comes in an easy to squeeze tube. Advantage can be purchased for use on different weights of cats or dogs, and you can purchase four, six, or twelve months’ worth of applications. So protect your pets from fleas today with Advantage. For this and other flea control products, visit www.luvurdog.com. Your pet will be glad you did.

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Hartz 2 in 1 Flea and Tick Spray

June 22, 2008 By
pPETS 3757016t400 Hartz 2 in 1 Flea and Tick Spray

This fine mist spray will repel fleas and ticks from your pet and kill fleas and ticks already on your pet within 10 minutes. In addition, this product leaves your pet’s coat feeling soft, glossy and manageable. This fast-acting, deodorizing formula is easy to use.

 
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Five False Flea Facts Pet Owners Need to Know!

April 19, 2008 By Leave a Comment

flea640 150x150 Five False Flea Facts Pet Owners Need to Know!Fleas are nasty parasites programmed for survival and hard to eradicate. Thankfully, veterinary science has given us effective ways to control these pests, bringing relief to our dogs and cats. But what happens when people think the Internet or local store has a better solution?

Anyone who has suffered through an infestation of fleas knows these parasites are programmed for survival. In ideal conditions, fleas can complete their life cycle in just 12 days, adding thousands of new offspring. Understanding how to control this life cycle and killing adult fleas helps your pet – and your home – remain flea-free!

Flea Myth #1: Fleas go away during winter months. Although a good part of the country sees a decrease in flea cases during colder months, fleas can survive by taking advantage of our human comforts. Fleas thrive at temperatures above 65 degrees, making our homes a perfect winter refuge. The cocoon stage can actually survive up to five months in cooler temperatures – allowing the next generation of fleas to hatch and attack our pets in the spring!

Flea Myth #2: Natural remedies like brewer’s yeast and garlic are safe and effective flea control methods. For many pet owners, avoiding man-made chemicals and “going green” is important. Garlic, for example, is purported to kill fleas, but the only study conducted showed no effect. Organic and natural remedy products are not only often ineffective at controlling fleas, but sometimes even cause illness in pets.

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Flea Myth #3: Chemical pesticides are harmful to pets and to the environment. Historically, this is true! The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned products containing organophosphates like Diaz anon due to cancer risks and environmental impact. Advances in pest control provide us environmentally safe products that can be used on pets. Your family veterinarian has both oral and topical products providing effective and immediate flea kill. Additionally, these products are harmless to both pets and children.

Flea Myth #4: Fleas are resistant to these new chemicals – even products my veterinarian carries. With stories of “super-bug” bacteria making headlines, it’s easy to imagine a super flea shaking off pesticides like water. Veterinary products have a great track record of killing fleas and experts state resistance to these products has not occurred. Most perceived product failures are likely due to excessive numbers of fleas or inappropriate application. However, one ingredient – permethrin – does have a history of flea resistance. Many insects in North America are resistant to permethrin, a common insecticide found in over-the-counter medications.

Flea Myth #5: There is no difference between flea products purchased from grocery stores and your veterinarian. Unfortunately, this myth is the cause of many emergency room visits – and pet deaths. Grocery store products may contain older insecticides and chemicals like permethrin. This could mean that they are simply less effective, but in some cases, these products have actually killed pets – especially cats. In an attempt to save money, well-meaning owners have used dog products on their cats, causing the cat to seizure uncontrollably – creating a potentially fatal emergency. Flea collars contain pesticides and can either cause toxicity or the fleas are resistant to it. Bottom line. Do not waste your money.

If you are having problems with these pesky parasites, my staff and I can recommend several non-toxic products that can give your pet relief. If you do not live in the Spring area, contact your veterinarian for recommendations in your area.

Don’t leave your pet’s comfort and your safety in the hands of someone who doesn’t know your pet – see your veterinarian for the best advice on avoiding flea infestation!

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