FLEA CYCLE |
The battle
against fleas is far from easy, but these armored pests can be controlled
by easy steps we can take.
Health Concerns: In addition to being annoying, fleas pose
several health problems to your pets. The common internal parasite,
the tapeworm, is transmitted to your pet by biting an infected flea.
Also, pets can become anemic if they have many fleas feeding on their
blood, which will result in a lethargic and depressed pet. Flea infestations
can cause coat problems, obsessive grooming behavior, not to mention
flea allergy dermatitis. |
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Understanding
the Flea Cycle:
To fight or prevent flea infestations, one must understand
the life cycle of the flea. The average flea cycle is approximately
21 days if environmental conditions are right. Fleas prefer
temperatures of 65-85 F with humidity of 75 -85%. Thus,
North Carolina is a prime spot for year round infestations.
Roll
over each flea stage below to learn more!
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Preventative Measures:
1) On your pet - Although past treatments for fleas were
messy, time-consuming, smelly, and potentially harmful, we have
easy and effective products today that are safe and odorless. Two
of the most popular products, Advantage and Frontline, are liquids
that you apply to the back of your pet's neck once a month. In addition
to controlling fleas on your pet, these products are safer for young
puppies and kittens than previous treatments.
2) In your pet's environment - You must also remember to
treat the environment in which your pet lives. This applies to both
indoor and outdoor pets. Fleas only spend 10% of their lives on
your pet. The other 90% of their time is spent in the nearby environment.
Also, fleas have a life cycle of 21 days from egg to adult. Therefore,
it may be necessary to treat the environment more than once to eradicate
the fleas. |
Ask your veterinarian for the best line of defense against fleas for
your pet's health, and visit our website
coupon page for special savings on flea products in March. |
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