Pet Love: Fleas, Ticks & Mosquitos
YOU can protect your pets Now!
Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of animals and people.
In Texas, most flea problems are caused by the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. This flea feeds on cats, dogs, and wildlife. Other kinds of fleas, such as the dog flea, human flea, and rat flea, are less common on pets and in homes. Fortunately, fleas need not be a serious problem because there are effective treatments.
Fleas and ticks are a threat to pets everywhere. Keep your pet protected with a fast-acting treatment.
Providing pets with continuous flea and tick protection is essential – whether the pet goes outside or not.
Fleas are the most common parasite found on dogs and cats and can be a significant problem if your pet becomes infested. Fleas can carry serious diseases, and some can even be life-threatening. The flea lifecycle is long, and monthly or weekly treatments may be needed if infestations are heavy. It can take several months to rid your pet of fleas. Ticks also pose risks to pets and can be stressful to pet owners
Identifying the problem
Adult cat fleas are about 1/8 inch long (1 to 3 mm). They are brownish-black, flattened looking, and without wings. Backward-pointing bristles help fleas move through the hairs or feathers of host animals and make them more difficult to remove by grooming. The six legs, especially the hind pair, are long and adapted for jumping.
Flea larvae are less than 1/4 inch long (6 mm), legless, and dirty white in color. The most likely place to find larvae is in infested pet bedding.
Understanding fleas
During their life cycle fleas pass through four stages–egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Although they can jump, adult fleas do not usually travel long distances without a host. Fleas prefer to wait and jump onto a passing animal. Once aboard, they remain until they are dislodged or groomed from the animal. Without a host, adult fleas live only a few days to 2 weeks. On short-haired cats and dogs, fleas survive an average of 8 days; they live longer on long-haired animals.
The female flea begins laying eggs within 2 days of her first blood meal. Four to 9 days later she produces an average of 27 eggs per day, consuming about 15 times her body weight in blood daily. Much of this blood is excreted as partially digested feces. Flea feces are fine, reddish-black dust seen in pet fur and bedding.
Flea larvae feed on adult flea excrement. Without it, they cannot survive, although they also may feed on organic matter such as food particles, dead skin, or feathers. Larvae develop in 5 to 11 days.
Moist, shaded spots near pet resting areas are the places to find fleas. Indoors, flea larvae are usually found under furniture and in pet bedding. The pupa is the transition stage between the larva and adult.
For severe flea problems, use an insecticide that kills adult fleas, fipronil. The product has low toxicity to mammals and poses little risk to pets or people. It also kills ticks for up to 1 month after application.
Don’t wait until fleas get out of hand. Begin your flea control program early for best results. Start a frequent and thorough sanitation program, regularly inspect your pet for fleas, carefully follow the label directions of the insecticide product you choose, and dispose of all pesticides safely.
For heavy infestation treatment Call 214-325-1609