What's The Best Way To Control Fleas?

Fleas are often the bane (no pun intended) of both dogs and their owners. Mercifully, today we have many excellent ways to control them. If your dog is suffering from fleas there is help. Here's a look at some of the best ways to control fleas.

Once upon a time, fleas were an unavoidable part of living with dogs. If you lived in the South, especially, summertime was all about flea bombs, dog dips and waging a war on fleas. Dogs with flea allergies suffered terribly.

Bayer Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment

Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for Dogs

Today's generation of flea control is largely focused on topical applications. These flea preventives include Frontline and Advantage as well as the topicals you can find in any pet store. They are easy to use and usually very effective. To use one of these topical flea preventives you simply squeeze the product on the dog (usually between the shoulder blades) and that's it. Don't bathe the dog for 48-72 hours. The product is absorbed into the skin or hair. The flea control typically kills the fleas that are already on the dog within the next 24 hours and then prevents other fleas from taking up residence on your dog. You usually need to reapply in a few weeks.

Topical flea control products are very good for people who don't have a bad flea infestation and who can afford to wait while the product takes effect. There have been some reports in the last couple of years from people who claim that their dogs have had bad reactions to these products. The FDA is investigating. The problem may be due to misuse of the product. However, different products rely on different chemicals. If your dog has a bad reaction to one product he may be able to use a different product. Always keep the package any product comes in until you see how your dog will react to it. If you have a problem call the company and ask to speak to a veterinarian for help. 

SENTRY Capguard (nitenpyram) Oral Flea Control Medication

If you bring home a dog who has a bad flea infestation you can use a product such as CapStar. This product begins to kill fleas on your dog within 30 minutes.

Program Oral Treatment for Small Dogs

Program is a pill that you can give your dog to break the life cycle of the flea. The flea bites your dog and then becomes unable to reproduce. Program is effective but the drawback is that the flea has to bite your dog in order for it to be

Program Oral Treatment for Large Dogs

effective. Program does work well in conjunction with a good flea spray to kill existing fleas.

All of these products depend on introducing chemicals into your dog's system in order to work. Some people prefer to try to control fleas using natural methods. These methods can be kinder to your dog's system but they are not always effective.

First of all, make sure you keep your house vacuumed regularly and wash your pet's bedding frequently. This will eliminate a lot of fleas immediately. You can put down borax powder in your carpets. Borax dries out flea eggs and prevents them from hatching. You can also spread diatomaceous earth (the garden kind, not the pool kind) in your backyard to dry out the exoskeletons of fleas there. Use it generously.

You can also plant chrysanthemums and marigolds around your house. These flowers are known for keeping fleas away.

Herbal flea collars are still popular though they aren't always effective. Be careful of using them if you are pregnant since they usually contain pennyroyal and other herbs which can cause miscarriages.

Vets Best Natural Flea and Tick Home Spray

Some people like to use a nice, homemade spray on their dogs to control fleas. You can place a sprig of rosemary and lemon peel or citronella oil in a pint of water, let it sit overnight and use it as a flea spray. Your dog probably won't like the scent but it may keep the fleas away if you use it regularly.

Fleas are relentless so whatever method of flea control you use you'll need to keep using it. Check your dog for fleas regularly and if you go to places with other dogs check your dog when you get home. You can use a simple flea comb (found at pet stores) to remove any fleas you see on your pet. This can stop fleas from getting started in your home.

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