Flea Control,Flea Control
other pests. Advantage is not recommended on pregnant animals. Revolution may be used in pregnant and nursing animals, and also allows for use in younger kittens and puppies. Besides these liquids, there are also collars treated with the same type of chemicals, which by theory, spread themselves down through the fur, and protect an animal for several months.
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer a true flea infestation, it’s important to remember that you have to treat the premises, as well as the animals. Generally you can tell by the size and colour of the fleas you are finding, how far things have progressed. If they are only small, and almost black, you may be in the early stages. If you are large ones that are more of a dark, reddish brown, they are mature fleas which may have already begun to lay eggs in your house.
There is no truly effective “natural” remedy for this problem. But in resorting to pesticides, seek a veterinarian’s advice on the type and efficacy. Many people think that spraying their floors and furniture is enough. But fleas can burrow into your baseboards and right down to the underlay of your carpeting to lay eggs. So while the top layer which is hit by sprays may die, you could get a surprise several months down the road, when fleas emerge from the carpet. Be prepared to treat your whole house, and reserve a second treatment for down the road, or in cold climates, the Spring- which is when warmth and moist air brings the hatching cycle into play.
While there are herbal or “natural” products recommended for flea prevention, such as using cedar for bedding in dog houses, or wiping cedar oil on your baseboards, if you have fleas in the house, you have a problem. Not only dogs can be allergic to their bites (flea dermatitis is often a cause of “hot spots”), but people as well.
If you don’t want to spend the Spring and Summer, and possibly a good part of Fall wondering if that itching is just you, or Fluffy has brought home some friends, talk to your vet about the best choices for you and your pet.
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