Warm weather means longer walks, and days spent out in the yard. Warm weather also means fleas, which spring to life when the thermometer passes 65 degrees and the air gets humid.

Fleas hatch in warm weather, mate and lay eggs within 36 hours (laying up to 2,000 eggs in their 50-day life spans). They are more than just annoying – fleas can carry worms and diseases, and the scratches your pet makes in his attempts to get rid of them can get infected. And don’t think your pet will keep all those little fleas to himself – they may jump to you and your family, too, bringing with them diseases that can affect humans.


DO WE HAVE FLEAS OR NOT?
Your pet will probably start scratching or biting its tail when it get fleas. Of course, skin irritation can be caused by a number of factors, so check your pet’s skin for more information. The skin may be covered with blotchy reactions to flea bites, or scratch marks his reaction to the itching.

Look for “flea dirt,” which looks like ground black pepper, on your pet’s skin. If you see these specks, drop a few on a wet paper towel – if they cause little red stains, it’s “flea dirt” and your pet has fleas.

OK, THEY’RE HERE – NOW WHAT DO WE DO?
First, remember to treat both the pet and your house, since there will be plenty of flea eggs sitting in your carpet, on your furniture and wherever your pet likes to sleep. If you have a yard, and the weather is warm, treat the yard, too.

Second, since flea eggs will survive flea sprays and other treatments, repeat your treatment process each 7-10 days for at least a month, or until the infestations stop.

The easiest and most reliable way to get rid of fleas is to hire a good professional groomer for your pet, and and a pest extermination company for your home. Have the groomer apply veterinarian-approved flea treatments to your pet, and while you are there have a pet removal service spray your carpets and furniture (and the pet’s bed) with a non-toxic flea control solution.

For do-it-yourself treatments, we suggest getting your vet’s recommendation on the best shampoos, powders and other treatments. Conventional, non-prescription treatments include flea baths and flea collars. The baths can be effective at killing and repelling fleas, but some of the insecticides in some powders may be absorbed by your pet, with toxic effects. There are natural remedies that use plant extracts (pyrethrins, which repel fleas, and may actually kill them. From certain species in the chrysanthemum family) to repel fleas, but these may just repel fleas and not kill them. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before prolonged or repeated use of any flea treatment products.

For long-term, safe protection against fleas, your veterinarian can prescribe pills that will repel fleas or interrupt their breeding cycles. These pills are usually administered once a month or so, and are designed to be harmful to fleas without building up to toxic levels in your pet. These pills have names like Program, Sentinel and Revolution (which also protects against ticks, heartworm, and ear mites).

Daily Paws wishes you all a flea-free summer.



We went to reliable sources for the above information, but don’t forget – we’re just cats and dogs. Always consult a veterinarian, professional trainer or other expert.