Fleas and ticks are common problems for pets and their owners. They can cause your pet to scratch and itch, cause skin lesions, pass on tapeworms, and pass on diseases to both pets and owners. Because they multiply exponentially, prevention is the best control. Control fleas and ticks using topical products, grooming, and environmental control measures. 


The flea passes through four life stages: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult. The egg phase is 50% of the life cycle, 30% larvae, 15% pupae, and 5% biting adult. The completion of the life phase varies from two weeks to eight months, depending on the amount of "food" available.

A female lays an average of 15 to 20 eggs per day or 600 per lifetime. The eggs hatch within two days to two weeks into the larvae form.

Inside the home, they drop into cracks, crevices of the floors, in rugs and carpet, and furniture.  The larvae are blind and avoid light, which is the reason why they prefer the shady and protected areas of the yard.  The larvae's food supply involves digested blood in the adult flea feces, sloughed skin cells, hair, feathers, and organic debris. Larvae do NOT suck blood.

Once the larvae reach full size, they form a silken cocoon and enter the pupae form.

In five to fifteen days, the adult flea emerges from the cocoon or stays within the cocoon when one of the following occurs:  vibration (pet and people movement), pressure (being laid upon), heat, noise, or carbon dioxide levels increase (signalling a potential blood meal). Adult fleas cannot survive or lay eggs without a blood meal, but they can hibernate up to one year without feeding.

Treating the pet

Preventing and treating your pet is the easiest part of controlling fleas. Topical flea control products are the safest and most effective means. The products that have growth inhibitors are the best products to use. We recommend the use of Frontline PLUS for dogs, Fiproguard PLUS for dogs, Advantage II for dogs, and Biospot for dogs. Fiproguard PLUS is the generic version of Frontline PLUS. PLUS products have the growth inhibitors.  How to apply topical flea products                                                         

 

Homeopathic treatments

Garlic (potentially toxic)
While the verdict is still out, there are various statements made in magazines, books, and the internet regarding the use of garlic for flea control. Apparently, fleas do not like the taste of garlic, so they don't feed on your pet. Garlic can be toxic for dogs and cats. It causes a Heinz Body anemia, a breakdown of the red blood cells which can be life-threatening.The toxic level appears to be dose related, and cats are more sensitve than dogs to the toxic effects. All parts of the garlic plant from the bulbs, bulbets, flowers, leaves, and stems are potentially toxic.


"Veterinary Herbal Medicine, Susan G Wynn and Barbara J. Fougere, 2007  Elsevier lists the following dosages for dogs

Fresh garlic
   1/4 clove (less than 1 gram) 10 pounds
   1/2 clove (1.5 to 2 grams) 20 to 25 pounds
   1 clove (3-4 grams) per 40 to 50 pound dog 

Dried garlic:
    small dogs 50 to 100 mg
    medium dogs 100 to 200 mg
    large dogs 300 to 600 mg
    giant dogs 600 - 900 mg

    The recommended dosages should be divided into two to three meals.


Brewers Yeast (very safe)
This is a very safe, natural product. It appears to repel fleas and ticks. It comes in tablet and powder form. You add this to the pet's diet. Add per instructions on the product. You can give one full dose in one meal or spread it  throughout the day.


Please note that neither homeopathic method kills the adult flea or inhibits the growth of the flea.  


Treating the Indoor environment
Wash your pet's bedding regularly. Vacumn carpet, floors, couch cushions, anywhere your pet rests on a regular basis. If your home has an extreme infestation, it would be best to contact a reputable professional pesticide company. Because of the flea's life cycle, it will take several treatments.


Treating the Outdoor environment:
Remove brush and leaves regularly, they provide shade and moist environments for the larvae. Access to chemical sprays is becoming harder and harder to purchase because of their toxic natures and the enviromental impact. We advise contacting a reputable pesticide company . Ask them to give you the name of the brand and/or ingredients that they plan to use and research the product safety.