If I Give My Cat Flea Treatment and He Goes Outside Will He Have Fleas Again

What lays eggs, drinks blood, and is the second-best jumper of all known animals? No, this isn't the outset of a bad joke. Information technology's the mutual enemy of all pet owners: the tiny flea.

One flea tin lay thousands of eggs in a lifetime. Fifty-fifty though the average developed only lives a few months, the right temperature, nutrient supply and humidity tin can extend that lifespan up to xviii months. Unfortunately, your household pet provides exactly the weather condition fleas need to thrive.

Have you been struggling to eradicate fleas? Here are ten reasons why your pet may still have them:

1. Neglecting flea hotspots

Most homes have 'hotspots' where flea eggs and feces collect. You tin can usually find these areas where your pet rests during the day or beds down for the nighttime. Since the flea larvae that hatch from these eggs don't travel very far, targeting these areas is your number i defence force against fleas.

If possible, sentry your pet throughout the day and run into where he or she spends the nigh time. Lounging, grooming, napping, and but lying around may not look like much, but these tranquility intervals give flea eggs the chance to autumn to the ground and begin the wheel all once more. Focus your treatments on these areas, and if electrical outlets are located nearby, try plugging in electrical flea traps to reduce the population.

If the trap isn't catching fleas within 48 hours, motion to a different location near another hotspot. And don't forget to treat your vehicle if your pet spends time travelling with you. Car seats, blankets, crates, and carriers offering another ideal place for potential hotspots to develop. For more information, see our Natural, Non-toxic Flea Control Guide

two. Non treating the surroundings

The ideal flea environment is between 70-85°F (most twenty-thirty°C) with a humidity of 70%. If you tin, keep your home below 70°F and use a dehumidifier or air conditioner if you take trouble with humidity. A pet's hirsuite body provides the moist, warm home that fleas need, peculiarly if your pet goes outside a lot and gets wet from the outdoors. Dry out your pets when they come inside and run a flea rummage through their fur, checking for fleas as you go.

iii. Not treating often enough

Fleas get through a life wheel of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just impale adult fleas, only fleas tin can continue to emerge for months after you recollect an infestation has concluded.

When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within 1 twenty-four hours. Regular treatment is the key to keeping fleas at bay, but bathing your pet does nix to prevent fleas. While many adults will wash away, the eggs volition remain. Equally shortly equally you finish rinsing the soap, more than fleas will jump right dorsum on (and more volition hatch).

Whether you lot are using a natural flea handling or not, a regular regimen is necessary to combat fleas.

4. Only treating the fleas y'all see

Adult fleas only make upwards about 5% of an infestation, and these are mostly the ones you come across on your pet. The rest you lot can't meet: the eggs, larvae, and pupae.

Eggs hatch inside 21 days and the larvae settle into fabrics like furniture and carpet. Here they will banquet on expressionless skin cells and hair. Since 95% of the flea's life is spent outside the developed stage, flea infestations tin accept a long time to eradicate.

To treat the fleas you lot can't run into, wash all of your bedding, blankets, and pillows in very hot h2o. Steam make clean other fibrous materials, particularly those in the living and bedrooms, since studies have shown the highest flea concentrations are usually in these areas.

Employ food-form diatomaceous globe effectually hot spots, including around pet bedding and resting areas. This natural flea control works by dehydrating insects and is non-toxic to pets. Y'all can treat both carpets and wood floors, applying in lines around areas about frequented. For more than information, read Diatomaceous Earth: Non-toxic Pest Control for Your Home and garden

five. Using the wrong treatments

Many flea treatments are toxic to children and pets. This includes drops that are practical to the fur, powders, collars and sprays. These are pesticides and should not be used without serious thought.

There are at present chewable forms of flea treatment that are far less chancy, although slightly less constructive, than straight-up pesticides. Ane of the most pop is called Comfortis, which lasts a month per dose and is prescribed past your veterinarian. The central ingredient is Spinosad, which is a natural substance that is made from a soil bacterium that has been tested heavily past the EPA for health effects.

It's also very important to realize that treatments for killing fleas on dogs can impairment cats, and a small-scale canis familiaris will demand an entirely different treatment than a large dog as well. Don't buy flea treatments from the pet store until you have consulted with your veterinarian to talk over the right handling for your brute. Natural sprays and electric flea traps can give you even more protection. In that location are also refillable pads for flea traps to keep them working their best.

half dozen. Re-infestation from outdoors

Airflow and sunlight kill flea larvae, so the brighter and airier your 1000, the less probable your pet will bring a flea inside. Go on your yard clean and gratis of debris. That ways mowing your backyard regularly and trimming shrubs so that fleas have fewer shady places to live. Keeping your yard clean also discourages wild animals from thriving there, bringing their fleas with them. Raccoons and stray cats are the most common trespassers.

Research also suggests that flea-eating nematodes are extremely effective at killing flea larvae outdoors. If you suspect your pet'south fleas are coming from your yard, purchase nematodes from your local garden middle and apply to shady, moist areas where fleas thrive using a lawn sprayer. Within 24 hours, the flea population usually declines substantially.

seven. Infestation from other pets

If more than one pet lives in your business firm, care for each one as a potential host for your flea problem, even if only one is scratching. Combing, proper grooming and household cleanliness goes a long way, but getting tough with vacuuming, flea traps and diatomaceous earth is more than effective.

Care for all your pets' beds and resting/sleeping areas. You lot can fifty-fifty rub diatomaceous earth into your pet's fur, but because it is a fine dust, be careful not to create lung bug for any family members who might suffer from asthma or other breathing difficulties. Additionally, avoid applying near a house fan or in windy environments.

8. Non treating year round

Information technology's just non true that your pet can't get fleas in the winter. Fleas can alive outside in temperatures as depression equally 33°F (0.v °C) for five days, and thrive in clamber spaces and porches. The pupae can prevarication dormant for over a year until they notice themselves in the right temperature.

Yous can take the risk of ignoring fleas for a few months, but chances are that one flea volition multiply as shortly as it hitches a ride into your abode. Proceed upward your flea treatments during cold atmospheric condition for as long as necessary.

9. Ignoring carpets

As mentioned before, carpets are a major haven for flea eggs and larvae. They should be vacuumed frequently and if possible, steam cleaned to kill eggs. Exist certain to remove vacuum bags from your auto later cleaning and place outside the business firm to preclude re-infestations.

A vacuum with a True HEPA filter will be able to effectively reduce the population dramatically. Yous tin can also treat your carpet using food-grade diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle over areas used oftentimes past your pet, including those under pet bedding. Wait two to three days, and then vacuum up. You tin can also spread diatomaceous earth in lines along walls and in crevices most carpeted areas.

10. Using flea treatments improperly

This is a no-brainer and a common theme in all of these strategies, but doing just half the chore or the wrong thing is worse than not doing it at all, because fleas readily adapt to their environs. Treatments used improperly allow fleas the chance to get immune to controls with each new generation. This tin atomic number 82 to endlessly larger outbreaks as fleas continue to multiply and become more resistant. Don't put your sanity or your pet at risk by declining to follow instructions.

Staying flea-free

Fleas are uncomfortable for your dog and information technology's worth taking them seriously. Not only can they bite and crusade infections, they can transfer tapeworms to your pets. Their power to bound 150 times their own length, drink 15 times their ain torso weight, and go for 100 days between meals makes them difficult to gainsay, but by beingness proactive you lot can prevent infestations. A holistic plan that includes cleanliness, preparation, natural treatments, and a high-quality diet can ensure that your pet stays happy and flea-gratuitous.

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About the Author

Nicole Faires
Nicole Faires is an urban farmer and best-selling author of books on sustainable agriculture and food policy. Originally from Montana, she now lives with her family on the West Coast. Observe out more at deliberatelife.ca or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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