Flea fighting info
WHAT ARE FLEAS?
Fleas are tiny wingless insects that feed on your pet, and other animals. Flea bites make some pets, that are allergic to flea saliva, so miserable that they bite and scratch themselves raw. Others do not seem to respond to flea bites with the same intensity. If you see evidence of fleas on your pet, it is essential to eradicate them as quickly as possible, before the population grows. Hungry fleas sometimes bite humans too, leaving small, red, itchy bumps most commonly observed on the wrists and ankles.
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR PET HAS FLEAS?
You may actually see the dark fleas, about the size of sesame seeds, scurrying about on the skin. Their favorite spots include the base of the ears, under the legs and the rump. Look closely to sparsely haired places like the groin for telltale signs. A more accurate way to diagnose fleas, however, when live ones aren't observed, is to part the fur in several places and look for tiny black specks about the size of poppy seeds. These specks are flea feces, composed of digested blood. If you're not sure whether you're looking at "flea dirt" or just plain dirt, place it on a damp piece of white tissue. After a minute or so, a small red spot or halo will become apparent if it's flea feces, since the blood re-hydrates and diffuses into the tissue. The flea that you see on your pet only reflects about 5% of the flea infestation in the environment.
FLEAS CAN BE NESTLED IN HIDING PLACES INSIDE AND OUT AND WITHOUT YOU EVEN KNOWING IT!
· On other pets and animals in and out doors
· Around shrubbery and bushes in your backyard where other infested animals visit
· In carpets, floors and sofas of your home
· Even if your pet never goes outdoors, other pets- and people- may bring fleas into the house.
· Flea infestations don’t happen overnight- usually begin 6-8 weeks before you ever notice a flea. That’s when your
unprotected pets bring in a few fleas from outside. Once on your pet, fleas begin feeding and breeding- and
laying the ground work for an infestation.
· By the time you notice fleas on your pet there can be thousands of flea eggs, larvae, and pupae right under your
feet.
THE FLEA LIFE CYCLE... YOU MUST BREAK IT OR ELSE... : (
· Flea infestations start with just 2 fleas laying hundreds of flea eggs within a matter of days.
· There are 4 main stages of the life cycle of the common flea including flea eggs, larvae, pupae and adult fleas.
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THE 4 STAGES OF THE FLEA LIFE CYCLE
1). Eggs 2). Larvae 3). Pupa 4). Adult In just 21 days a flea infestation can grow from just 1 flea to 1050. Vectra 3D kills and repels adult fleas, and also controls flea eggs, larvae and pupae that are about to become adults. AND AS IF THE ITCHING ISN'T BAD ENOUGH ALL BY ITSELF... FLEAS CAN CARRY ALL SORTS OF DISEASES: · Flea Allergy Dermatitis · Tapeworm disease · Bartonella · Anemia (Severe infestations) · Feline infectious anemia · Bubonic Plague |
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IT CAN TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS TO BREAK THE FLEA LIFE CYCLE.
Month 1: As these new fleas emerge, your flea problem may look like its getting worse, but this infestation is actually running its course. Once you have applied a topical (Vectra, Revolution) any fleas on your pets will be killed fast, before they can produce another generation. The flea’s biomass (eggs, larvae, and pupae) that was hidden on your home will mature into new fleas- usually within a month of when you first applied the topical.
Month 2: The infestation comes crashing down because Vectra and Revolution destroys fleas’ ability to reproduce, once all the fleas in the home are mature, the nursery is empty and the cycle is broken. This often occurs in the second month of treatment, but if it is cooler, it can take longer.
Month 3: The infestation should be under control, but you can’t keep your pets from picking up new fleas, so apply a topical monthly to all pets in the household to kill the fleas before a flea infestation can start all over again.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. Should I treat ALL the dogs and cats in my household?
YES! If you don’t treat every dog and cat, the untreated pets will continue to harbor fleas that will lay eggs, preventing the
infestation from being cleared.
2. How often should I apply Vectra or Revolution?
Every 30 days as directed. Consistency is key.
3. How long does it take for fleas to die?
Fleas die within hour of coming in contact with the treated pet. If you see a flea on your pet and it was treated with Vectra or Revoluion- it is considered to be the walking dead.
4. Where do new fleas come from?
Fleas start from eggs, which fall off infested animals and develop in to larvae and pupae (in carpet, cracks in flooring,
upholstery, pets’ bedding, under decks, crawl spaces, shrubs, and organic matter).
5. How long will it take for the infestation in my home to be cleared up?
It can take 3 plus months to completely clean up bad infestations.
6. What else should I do to reduce the flea problem in my home?
Yes! Even if your pet never goes out doors, other pets – and people- may bring them in.
8. What is the black pepper or dirt looking substance on my pet?
The black pepper or dirt looking substance on your pet is flea dirt. When I flea bites your pet a small drop of blood then
dries to your pet.
FACTS:
1. Their total life span can be as short as one year, but may be several years in ideal conditions. Female fleas
can lay 5000 or more eggs over their life, allowing for phenomenal growth rates. Average (30-90 days). A flea
might live a year and a half under ideal conditions. These include the right temperature, food supply, and
humidity. Generally speaking, though, an adult flea only lives for 2 or 3 months. Without a host for food, a
flea's life might be as short as a few days. But with ample food supply, the adult flea will often live up to 100
days.
2. Lower temperatures slow down or completely interrupt the flea life-cycle. Fleas thrive at higher temperatures,
but need 70° to 90°F (21° to 32°C) to survive.
3. If there is not an ideal host (pet) Fleas can settle in a person's hair in less than ten minutes, causing
soreness and itching.
4. Flea populations are evenly distributed, with about 50% eggs, 35% larvae, 10% pupae, and 5% adults.
5. In just 21 days a flea infestation can grow from just 1 flea to 1050.
6. Fleas can transmit diseases such as Flea Allergy Dermatitis , Tapeworm disease, Bartonella, Anemia
(Severe infestations), Feline infectious anemia, Bubonic Plague.
Month 1: As these new fleas emerge, your flea problem may look like its getting worse, but this infestation is actually running its course. Once you have applied a topical (Vectra, Revolution) any fleas on your pets will be killed fast, before they can produce another generation. The flea’s biomass (eggs, larvae, and pupae) that was hidden on your home will mature into new fleas- usually within a month of when you first applied the topical.
Month 2: The infestation comes crashing down because Vectra and Revolution destroys fleas’ ability to reproduce, once all the fleas in the home are mature, the nursery is empty and the cycle is broken. This often occurs in the second month of treatment, but if it is cooler, it can take longer.
Month 3: The infestation should be under control, but you can’t keep your pets from picking up new fleas, so apply a topical monthly to all pets in the household to kill the fleas before a flea infestation can start all over again.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. Should I treat ALL the dogs and cats in my household?
YES! If you don’t treat every dog and cat, the untreated pets will continue to harbor fleas that will lay eggs, preventing the
infestation from being cleared.
2. How often should I apply Vectra or Revolution?
Every 30 days as directed. Consistency is key.
3. How long does it take for fleas to die?
Fleas die within hour of coming in contact with the treated pet. If you see a flea on your pet and it was treated with Vectra or Revoluion- it is considered to be the walking dead.
4. Where do new fleas come from?
Fleas start from eggs, which fall off infested animals and develop in to larvae and pupae (in carpet, cracks in flooring,
upholstery, pets’ bedding, under decks, crawl spaces, shrubs, and organic matter).
5. How long will it take for the infestation in my home to be cleared up?
It can take 3 plus months to completely clean up bad infestations.
6. What else should I do to reduce the flea problem in my home?
- Vacuum floors and furniture thoroughly and regularly. After vacuuming, throw out the contents of the vacuum in a sealed bag and throw it away OUTSIDE, away from the buildings.
- Wash and dry any / all household materials in hot water. (> 140 ˚F)
- Use Mycodex spray in the house. Thoroughly mist on all furniture, mattresses and carpets.
Yes! Even if your pet never goes out doors, other pets – and people- may bring them in.
8. What is the black pepper or dirt looking substance on my pet?
The black pepper or dirt looking substance on your pet is flea dirt. When I flea bites your pet a small drop of blood then
dries to your pet.
FACTS:
1. Their total life span can be as short as one year, but may be several years in ideal conditions. Female fleas
can lay 5000 or more eggs over their life, allowing for phenomenal growth rates. Average (30-90 days). A flea
might live a year and a half under ideal conditions. These include the right temperature, food supply, and
humidity. Generally speaking, though, an adult flea only lives for 2 or 3 months. Without a host for food, a
flea's life might be as short as a few days. But with ample food supply, the adult flea will often live up to 100
days.
2. Lower temperatures slow down or completely interrupt the flea life-cycle. Fleas thrive at higher temperatures,
but need 70° to 90°F (21° to 32°C) to survive.
3. If there is not an ideal host (pet) Fleas can settle in a person's hair in less than ten minutes, causing
soreness and itching.
4. Flea populations are evenly distributed, with about 50% eggs, 35% larvae, 10% pupae, and 5% adults.
5. In just 21 days a flea infestation can grow from just 1 flea to 1050.
6. Fleas can transmit diseases such as Flea Allergy Dermatitis , Tapeworm disease, Bartonella, Anemia
(Severe infestations), Feline infectious anemia, Bubonic Plague.
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PRODUCTS FOR FIGHTING THE FLEA BATTLE
DOGS -
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CATS -
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