top of page

{ What are fleas and how can I prevent them? }

Rules and responsibilities

There’s no doubt about it — the mighty flea is the toughest of adversaries and the bane of any dog and his owner’s lives.

 

They only have six tiny legs and no wings, but the little critters are capable of leaping on to even the tallest of dogs in a single bound. Within just two days of landing in the comfy fur of your dog, an adult female flea will start to produce around 50 eggs a day, which will soon fall off your pet and into every corner and crevice of the home.

 

Traditionally a seasonal problem, these itchy invaders are now a year-round nuisance thanks to central heating in the majority of houses. So how can you tackle these unwanted lodgers, and just what can you do to send them packing

An itchy problem

Frequent scratching, biting, chewing, licking, and rubbing himself can signal a flea infestation in your dog. Another telltale sign is pink bite marks on your dog’s skin or even on your own ankles and lower legs. Some dogs can get allergic skin reactions from flea bites leading to inflamed, itchy areas which can develop into large, open sores and lead to hair loss.

Flea check

A good way of checking for fleas is to look for flea droppings in your dog’s coat. They will resemble dark specks. Flick the dirt off with a brush on to a piece of damp white paper and if it is flea dirt it will dissolve and show up as reddish-brown stains.

The flea life cycle

Stage one
While on your pet adult fleas mate and within 36 – 48 hours the female begins laying eggs in your dog’s coat.

 

Stage two
After one or two days the eggs hatch into larvae, which avoid light and feed on environmental debris such as adult flea droppings and human skin scales. They can be found deep in carpet fibres, mattresses or sofa stuffing materials.

 

Stage three
The mature larvae spin a protective cocoon around themselves and develop into adult fleas. They can survive in this state for up to two years.

 

Stage four
Once a flea emerges from the cocoon it immediately begins searching for a host. It feeds by inserting its long mouthparts into the skin, followed by an injection of saliva to prevent the blood it sucks from clotting.

Treatments

A wide variety of anti-flea products can be found on the shelves and at the vet’s in the form of powders, collars, shampoos, sprays, tablets, and spot-on applications. Some are insecticidal, some repel, and others act as a kind of flea contraceptive, which can be helpful in preventing resistance developing to regularly used products.

 

Each product varies in terms of its length of effectiveness, ranging from 24 hours to three months, and how fast it kills fleas. Some will zap them into touch within three or four hours, while others can take between 12 and 42 hours. Some active ingredients can be lethal to other household pets so take care when selecting a product.

 

Always wear disposable rubber or plastic gloves when applying treatment and follow the guidelines on the packaging. Making a visit to your vet is a good first port of call for advice on suitable treatments for your dog.

Six-step plan to keeping your dog and home flea free

1 Home treatment

Once you have treated your dog, banish fleas altogether by treating your home. Various spray products are available to use on furniture, dog bedding, carpets, and those hard-to-reach areas. Remember to check what they contain as some can be toxic to other household pets.

2 Vacuum

Blitz the house thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner, including soft furnishings, cracks, and skirting boards as fleas can lurk anywhere and everywhere. Regular vacuuming can be an effective way of eliminating fleas. Place an insecticidal flea collar inside the dust bag, seal, and dispose of it afterwards.

 

3 Natural remedy

Other methods of flea control are available for people concerned about using medical treatments. You may need to combine several of these instead of relying on just one. They include flea combs, electronic flea combs and brushes, food supplements such as garlic and brewers’ yeast, and flea traps placed in areas your dog frequents.

 

4 Other pets

All pets should be treated for fleas at the same time even if they show no immediate signs. Fleas also carry tapeworm and can transmit them from animal to animal so keep worming programmes up to date, otherwise your dog could reinfect himself.

 

5 Groom

Regular grooming sessions can make it difficult for fleas to hang on. Dip a flea comb in soapy water to drown any unwelcome guests. Alternatively, give your dog a bath using a flea shampoo.

 

6 Wash

Stop fleas in their tracks by washing all your pet’s bedding in hot soapy water as flea eggs and larvae will usually accumulate in it. Do not forget fleeces and throws used to protect furniture or car interiors.

Did you know?

  • 95 per cent of flea infestations live in rugs, carpets, sofas, and beds.

  • A flea accelerates 50 times faster than a space shuttle.

  • The most common species found on dogs is the cat flea.

bottom of page