Historical April 1993 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
As the temperatures warm, the annual flea season begins in earnest. Complete flea control can be difficult and frustrating.
It is helpful to understand the life cycle of the flea and the effects of flea infestation to maintain adequate flea control. Fleas spend 80% of their time OFF your animals.
Most of the eggs, larvae, pupa, and adults will be found in your pet’s favorite resting places. Common sites include chairs, beds (both on and under), rugs, under porches, next to garages, and in cool places in basements. Because cats and dogs have higher body temperatures than humans, the fleas generally prefer the animals.
However, fleas will “catch rides” on your clothing and be transported into areas of the house where the animals are not given access. Although not the rule, when people are bitten by fleas, the resulting reaction is quite pruritic (itchy) and the bite often becomes infected. Flea bites also can transmit diseases such as Bubonic plague which is still a problem in the southeastern U.S.
Some animals are allergic to fleas.
The results produced by the bites of one flea can be very severe. Sometimes it is difficult to understand that the loss of hair, scabs, thickened skin, and offensive odor produced by flea bite dermatitis can be caused by just a few fleas. Other animals, less sensitive, can carry around hundreds of fleas, and rarely seem bothered. Complete flea control must be aimed at getting rid of the fleas on the animal and controlling the flea population in the animal’s immediate environment.
A flea bath with a good flea shampoo will effectively rid an animal of fleas.
It is sometimes necessary to bathe an animal as often as once a week during the height of the flea season.
A flea dip will also kill fleas but is not recommended for cats.
Following a bath, these measures can be used to continue to repel fleas: spraying lightly 3 to 7 times weekly, powdering lightly 2 to 3 times weekly Indoor flea control measures begin with thorough vacuuming, especially sleeping areas. Thorough cleaning under furniture also is necessary. Be sure to discard the vacuum bag after vacuuming.
In addition, it helps to launder or dispose of any bedding used by the pet.
For the best results, guaranteed flea control by a professional exterminator is advised.
After chemical treatment, regular vacuuming and laundering of bedding is recommended.
If your pet spends most of its outdoor time in your own yard, flea control measures are needed here as well. Limiting access under porches and cutting down tall weeds or grass will be helpful. Regular spraying by a professional exterminator may be beneficial too. Although the height of the flea season is August through November, early spraying of your yard may keep the flea population from reaching large numbers. Successful flea control is best accomplished before you notice a flea problem. Early yard spraying, routine laundering of bedding, regular vacuuming, and occasional flea baths should reduce the chances of a major infestation. Should fleas become a problem, combined effort on the part of the pet owner, veterinarian, and exterminator is often effective at flea control. People have asked occasionally about using garlic and brewer’s yeast as natural flea repellents.
I have had mixed reports from those who have added these substances to their dog’s diet.
The following is a dosage recommended by Dr. Fox: For every 30 pounds of dog, give 1 large chopped garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of brewer’s yeast and 1/2 teaspoon of powdered seaweed (kelp) daily.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April 1993.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1993_04.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
