A Pet's View / May 2006
Scratch That!
The world flea population includes about 2000 species. Fleas have been found on over 1600 different mammals and 543 birds although the most common one is the cat flea. Five kinds have been found on a single animal.
The nastly, wingless bloodsuckers are excellent jumpers, leaping vertically up to seven inches and horizontally thirteen inches.(The human equivalent would be 250 feet up and and 450 feet horizontally.) Far from admiring their athletic ability, most people despise fleas and estimates are that pet owners spend spend over $1 billion each year controlling fleas.
In any flea infestation there are four stages of the flea life cycle present: the egg, larva, cocoon, and the adult. The adult is the most visible stage of the flea development, but it accounts for only 1% of a typical infestation. Adult female fleas feed, then lay their eggs on a host. Eggs make up 34% of the infestation. The eggs fall off the host into carpet and upholstery where they hatch into larvae within10 days. Larvae make up more than half of a flea population. After feeding for 5-11 days, they produce a silk like cocoon and enter the pupal stage. New adult fleas usually emerge from the pupal stage in 8 days
One adult flea can lay 50-60 eggs each day.
Under ideal conditions, in a month, ten female fleas can multiply to over a quarter million flea in various stages.
Since optimum temperatures for the flea’s life cycle are 70°F to 85°F and optimum humidity is 70 percent, summertime is easy livin’ for fleas.
Like most insect control, successful flea treatments must stop the flea’s life cycle.
Since most of a flea’s lifetime is spent in pre-adult stages-as an egg, pupae or larvae- and most of the flea population is in a pre-adult stages, living in the yard and home, killing fleas in the pre-adult stages breaks the flea lifecycle and eliminates adult fleas.
Although there are many formulations of shampoos, dips, sprays, powders, collars, and monthly tablet or liquid treatments, the most effective pet treatments are available through licensed veterinarians.
Local veterinarians advise flea control from April through October since West Virginia has a great climate for fleas. Most recommend pet treatment with either Advantage™ or Frontline™.
Advantage™ kills adult fleas on contact on cats and dogs before they can lay eggs, breaking the flea life cycle. At least 98 % of adult fleas are killed on the pet within 24 hours by a spot application on the back of the neck for cats and between the shoulder blades on dogs. A single dose works for at least four weeks. There’s no waiting period to handle pets after application and even dogs who get a weekly bath experience nearly 90 percent flea control efficancy.
Advantage doesn’t kill ticks, but is fine for cats since they groom themselves and get ticks off before they attach. Advantix™ is not recommended for cats, since it contains a mosquito repellent that can be harmful to them.
For flea and tick control, Frontline™ kills adult fleas up to three months on dogs and a month or more on cats. Ticks are killed for a month or more on both. The Frontline™ Top Spot can be used on puppies, kittens or pets receiving other medications.
For best results, don’t bathe the pet two days before or after treatment. The products control fleas on the pet, but they also affect the pet’s environment. It may take a while, but eventually all fleas will go to the pet and be exposed to the active agent. Flea treatments are a safe, effective way to keep pets comfortable and healthy. If the pet spends a lot of time both inside and out, owners should treat the pet, yard and home. With fleas, an ounce of prevention goes a long way.
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