If you’re a pet owner, the sight of a flea on your dog or
hopping
across your rug can make you want to bring out the heavy
artillery.
But wait.
University of Georgia experts say fighting fleas doesn’t have
to mean war. It just takes strategy.
To fight fleas in your home and on your pet, UGA entomologist
Nancy Hinkle offers these suggestions.
Follow These Suggestions
* Clean your pet’s bedding once a week. Empty any dust and
debris you find into a bathtub and rinse it down the drain. Then,
wash the pet bedding in hot soapy water to kill any remaining
flea larvae.
* Before making any treatments, consider having your carpets
steam-cleaned for immediate elimination of adult fleas.
* Next, treat your home with both an adulticide (an
insecticide
that kills adult fleas) and an insect growth regulator or
"IGR"
(a chemical that prevents immature fleas from reaching
adulthood).
Remove all pets (don’t forget the fish) before applying the
treatment.
Afterwards, leave your home until the carpet has completely
dried.
Now that you’ve removed the fleas from your home, how do you
get them off your pet?
Which Product Works Best?
"Many highly effective on-animal products can be
prescribed
by your veterinarian," Hinkle said. "You can even buy
a combination product that kills fleas and prevents
heartworms."
Pills, sprays and topical applications are also available
through
your veterinarian.
"A six-month, injectable, feline formulation is also
available
for cats," Hinkle said. "Many of these products are
available only by prescription. But because they provide weeks
of control with just one application, they usually result in a
cost savings when compared to over-the-counter
products."
Hinkle warns that many over-the-counter compounds also contain
toxicants like permethrin (not found in veterinary-supplied
products).
"Make sure to read the label caution against use on
puppies
and cats, as these products can be lethal," she said.
Don’t Try Home Remedies
Applying organic products probably isn’t a good idea.
"Feeding your pet garlic, brewer’s yeast or B vitamins
hasn’t been proven to have an effect against fleas," Hinkle
said. "Neither has using pennyroyal, eucalyptus, rosemary
and citronella. And they actually may be irritating or toxic to
your pet."
To reduce the chances of fleas becoming resistant to chemical
treatments, Hinkle recommends homeowners use a variety of control
methods to fight fleas.
