It’s summer and it seems like fleas are everywhere. Luckily, today’s pet owner has an arsenal of flea treatments at their disposal. Pyrethrin is a safe and widely used insecticide. Methoprene and Fenoxycarb are insect growth regulators (IGR) which prevent eggs and larvae from developing into pupae. Always treat bird dogs and their environment at the same time.

A flea’s life span can range from 2 weeks to 8 months. Because the pupa is wrapped within the protection of a cocoon, insecticides will not affect them one bit. This is why they are extremely difficult to kill, and also the reason why pet owners experience another flea outbreak just 2 weeks for the first treattment. As the pupa stage ends and the adult flea develops, you are left in the same position you began.

Flea Baths
Using a regular flea prevention shampoo can help with flea control. One thing to be careful about though is flea dips – especially if you have children in the house. Flea dips are very harsh and most leave a residue on your dog – they’re only recommended in cases of very extreme infestation and should be discussed with your veterinarian before use.

Spot On Medications
This type of flea treatment is administered between the shoulder blades of the pet. It’s a monthly treatment that will kill adult fleas for sure, and some brands will even prevent larvae and egg growth. These medications can only be used on dogs older than eight weeks. Water activities, like swimming or baths can make spot on medications less effective.

Pill Flea Treatment
Known for its effect as a “flea birth control”, this is also a monthly treatment. When the flea bites your dog, they become sterile and die without every laying eggs. When this happens, the fleas will die out completely, leaving you flea-free. Since this type of treatment can’t be washed off in water, it is great for pets that live indoors.

Natural Methods
Not everyone likes to use chemicals for flea control purposes. If this is the case, you should vacuum thoroughly as often as possible. In addition to carpets, vacuum furniture, pillows, and bedding. Properly discard the bag, or burn it, right away. Secondly, you should wash everything in the hot water cycle. Lastly, use dried pennyroyal, diactomaceous earth, or pyretthrum powder. Apply it on pet bedding and underneath cushions and mattresses. However, don’t use pennyroyal if your dog is pregnant. Repeat this process every few days.

Clean from inside out
Pet bedding, furniture, cushions, and thick carpets are fleas’ havens. Before treatment, always vacuum everything and everywhere in your home. Then, burn or properly discard vacuum bags immediately. Fleas love dust and hair, so this is important. It’s also important to wash all pet clothing and bedding in hot water. Insecticides are most effective on young, immature fleas.

Outside, fleas love wet, shady areas like dog houses, flower beds, and under decks or porches. Treat any location where your pet spends a lot of time. Fully mow and rake your yard. Get rid of leaves in flower beds and under bushes to increase the areas exposed to insecticides. The garage, basement and other places with non-carpeted floors should be thoroughly mopped to get rid of flea larvae hiding in crevices. Wash pet carriers and vacuum the car!

You can also choose a fogger or spray for your home, yard, and other areas, as they are very effective. You may need to repeat treatment in areas of severe infestation, usually every 2 or 3 weeks.

Flea bites cause all kinds of problems for pets and people. Intense itching can lead to skin problems, hair loss and infections. A bad infestation can lead to anemia and tapeworms. Allergies to flea saliva can cause flea dermatitis. Getting rid of a flea infestation is imperative for the health of your pet. Following these steps will help your pet and your home stay flea free.

There are lots of hunting dog supplies out there on the market, they range from dog crates, to dog collars, to electronic hearing protection. Make sure you do your research before you buy something to make sure it offers exactly what you want.