Most people want to know how to solve the immediate crisis first. Start with fleas ON your pets. But don't stop there.
Pet professionals such as groomers (who deal with dozens of flea-infested animals every day) don't have fleas in their own homes. What do they know that you don't know? Nothing, if you read these articles about flea control.
Flea products have changed radically in the last 2-3 years. The new ones are safer, easier, and more effective.
Most well-stocked flea armories contain a flea and tick shampoo. Shampoos kill fleas on contact and give your pets instant relief. The newest ones not only clean but also leave behind flea-killing and flea sterilizing residuals thus alleviating the need for further treatment of the pet with dips or spot treatments. They represent the best of both worlds: clean AND flea-free. Other new veterinary shampoos are designed to bathe your dog in a detergent-less formulation to prevent the washing away of your spot treatments.
Dips are still very good products, and there is a lot of new research creating pet-friendly, environment-friendly, human-friendly dips that are still flea-deadly. Pyrethrin dips are quite successful at being mild, safe, quick flea-killers. They are a quick pre-emptive strike and give several day's residual power.
The new non-alcohol sprays give a satisfactory immediate response to any sign of fleas and a good barrier to any flea re-incursions. They are less hassle than shampoos and dips and work very well in between baths as a flea deterrent. Your well-stocked arsenal should probably contain a spray.
These are a key weapon in the battle, but not all collars are created equal. Many have harsh and potentially dangerous chemicals, and their placement around the neck can lead to serious compromise of the nervous system if improperly used or mixed with other toxic agents. Permethrin collars are the best approach.
Spot Treatments are the new front line in the flea battle. Applied only once a month, some will actually repel a significant number of fleas--a great benefit to the allergic pet who cannot tolerate even one bite. The best will also help prevent re-infestation by rendering the fleas unable to reproduce.
But, be careful. More expensive is not always more efficient. The battle against fleas is matched only by the battle of the giant manufacturers to lower the prices of the spot-on products. Great strides are being made this year in lowering cost AND in treating CATS. Look for more great inexpensive products to come and for new shampoos that act as one-step shampoo-and-spot residuals.
Flea and tick powders are easy the convenient to use, but they often present problems with dry skin. They have been eclipsed by other more favorable means of flea protection.
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Continue: 100% Flea Control (Part 4)