Flea & Tick Control

The common cat flea, or Ctenocephalides Felis, is a widespread pest The adult flea lives on blood by biting its host, and can cause itching, hair loss and misery for your pet. Identifying and treating them on your pet is part of the battle, but to prevent them from quickly re-infesting, you will also need to eradicate them from your house at the same time.

Keep in mind that cat fleas are commonly found on dogs too. They will also bite humans, especially in the ankle areas, but cannot infest them. Understanding the life cycle of the flea is important to successfully treating your pet and ridding them your home.

An adult flea lays its eggs on your pet. As the eggs dry, they drop off, settling into your furniture and carpets. As they hatch into the larval stage, they survive on organic matter and the fecal matter of the adult flea, which contains the blood the adults have ingested. In essence, the adult fleas provide food for their young by feeding on you and your pets.

From this stage, the larvae spin cocoons and enter a pupal stage. They live in this stage until the presence of a host presents itself, and are very resistant to flea treatments. Once the tiny flea leaves its cocoon, it can jump onto your pet within a few seconds, begin biting and feeding on its new host within several minutes, beginning the cycle all over again.

If you suspect that your pet has fleas, you can try this simple trick to check. Dampen a paper towel and spread it out under your pet. Gently brush the animal, letting the hair and dander fall onto the paper towel. If there are small, dark particles, watch them for a short time. If they dissolve on the moist paper towel and turn red, this can be evidence of flea excrement, and an indication that your pet has fleas. It is always recommended that you confirm this with your veterinarian.

Once you know for certain that it is fleas you are dealing with, you can begin the flea treatment. Ensure that you read and follow the label carefully, as some products are very specific to the type of pet it should be used on. They can be dangerous or even fatal if not used properly.

Be certain to treat your entire home. If your pet spends a lot of time in your yard or vehicle, it can be a good idea to treat those areas too. Always vacuum thoroughly, especially before you begin as this can help to stimulate the fleas to leave their cocoons and be more susceptible to the chemicals. Ensure that you clean your vacuum after use, and throw the bags away outside.

You'll find a wide range of flea & tick control here at ePetGroomingSupplies.com.