To help understand the priciples of flea control a few basic concepts need to be understood
- 1) Only 5% of fleas live on the animal, the rest ar in carpets, soft furnishings or dark places.
- 2) Very few products will kill fleas in the pupal stage (chrysalis).
- 3) In cases of infestation live fleas may be seen for a few months after treatment as chrysalis hatch. (ESPECIALLY IN SPRING AND AUTUMN).
- 4) Most flea treatments do not kill the adult instantly, they act by paralysing the fleas nervous system until it dies.
Practice policy on flea control:
This practice recommends routine flea control to prevent a build up of fleas within you and your pets' home.
How to control fleas:
a) If you are not aware of infestation.
Routine monthly treatment with Effipro will prevent an infestation establishing.
b) If you have an infestation:
The use of a household treatment such as Indorex will help reduce the numbers of fleas emerging from your carpets and soft furnishings. To maximise the effect of these treatment it is best to encourage any pupae to hatch. Optimal hatching conditions are warm and humid (26 centigrade) and with vibration present.
- 1) Turn heating up to 26C
- 2) Spray Indorex onto some tissue and place in vacuum cleaner.
- 3) Place wet towels on radiators to increase humidity.
- 4) Vacuum thoroughly paying particular attention to shaded areas (eg skirtings, under furniture) flea larvae do not like light and can travel at 1/2 metre per hour - including upstairs!
- 5) Spray area vacuumed with Indorex again paying particular attention to shaded areas.
- 6) Routinely treat your pets with Effipro. The practice recommends every 1 - 2 months.
Ticks: Effipro is effective against Ticks for up to 4 weeks and is also an accepted acaricide under the pet travel scheme.