Final up to date on October 17, 2023 By Pet Leaks 9 Feedback

What’s the very first thing that involves thoughts once you hear the phrase fleas? For me it’s creepy little bloodsucking freaks that infest your home and are inconceivable to eliminate. I say that as a result of I’ve handled fleas a few occasions, and it’s no enjoyable in any respect — and to high all of it off they’re notoriously exhausting to eliminate.

When my canine acquired fleas a couple of years again I panicked. After 20 years of proudly owning pets I’d by no means needed to take care of these pests earlier than. I went to the shop, purchased a bunch of merchandise and set to work. After every therapy I’d let loose a sigh of aid, and but a couple of days (or weeks) later the fleas could be again.

After studying a little bit bit extra about their life cycle I began to grasp why they generally tend to maintain coming again, and learn how to successfully eliminate them. Right here’s 3 the reason why fleas are so exhausting to eliminate, and what to do for those who discover fleas in your canine.

Fleas Can Lay As much as 50 Eggs Per Day

The primary motive fleas are so exhausting to eliminate as a result of they reproduce (lay eggs) like loopy. An grownup feminine flea lays 20-30 eggs on common per day, however they will lay as much as 50. So in relation to eliminating fleas simply treating for the adults isn’t sufficient — you additionally have to deal with the setting to eliminate all these eggs they left behind.

As a way to lay eggs a flea will need to have entry to meals, and within the case of fleas which means the blood of their host. Flea eggs have a rounded oval form with a clean floor. Once they’re first laid they’re moist and sticky, however they shortly dry out. And since fleas solely lay eggs on their host (often our pets) these eggs find yourself falling off far and wide.

That is why fleas are notoriously exhausting to eliminate. We deal with our pets for grownup fleas once we see them, however neglect about all these eggs they’ve left behind. And after a pair weeks these eggs hatch and the method begins over again.

When you have got fleas in your house you must eliminate them in any respect life levels, together with their eggs. Flea eggs fall off their hosts, main them to get caught in carpets, in cracks and crevices, in pet beds and beneath furnishings. That is why repeated vacuuming and cleansing your flooring is important when eliminating fleas in your house — particularly in areas the place your canine hangs out loads.

Cat fleas are extremely reproductive. A single wholesome feminine produces a median of 20-30 eggs per day, roughly one egg an hour. – How Many Eggs Do Fleas Lay?

There Are 4 Phases within the Flea Life Cycle

One more reason fleas are exhausting to eliminate is because of their life cycle, and that cycle occurs with out us even noticing. We use remedies which might be efficient for killing grownup fleas, however these remedies don’t essentially work on the opposite 3 levels of their life cycle.

Fleas have 4 levels of their life cycle — egg, larva, pupa and grownup. The egg stage lasts wherever from 2 days to 2 weeks. The larva stage develops over a couple of weeks by consuming “flea dust” (grownup flea poop) and different natural materials it finds within the setting. The pupa stage, usually known as the cocoon stage, lasts for a pair days to a few weeks. If the setting isn’t proper for the pupa to emerge as an grownup the cocoon can shield the growing flea for months or years in sure situations.

As talked about above a feminine flea can lay as much as 50 eggs per day, so it’s essential to repeatedly clear and vacuum your flooring when attempting to eliminate fleas. If any eggs get left behind they will hatch into grownup fleas, and your infestation can begin over again.

In case you neglect to deal with the pet’s setting (the premises), you’ll miss greater than 90% of the growing flea inhabitants — the eggs, larvae and pupae. – Ridding Your Dwelling of Fleas, College of Kentucky

Not All Flea Therapies Work The Similar

In terms of choosing a flea therapy you have got a ton of choices. There’s prescription drugs, IGRs (insect progress regulators), sprays, foggers, collars and spot on remedies. And whereas having all these choices is sweet it does make the method of attempting to decide on the appropriate one complicated to say the least.

I’m not right here to let you know what therapy to make use of to eliminate fleas, however I’m right here to let you know that the overwhelming majority of them don’t disrupt the flea life cycle utterly. IGRs for instance will kill grownup fleas, eggs and larva, however they don’t impact the pupa stage. These pupa can hatch, and some weeks after utilizing an IGR chances are you’ll discover fleas beginning to present up once more. That doesn’t imply IGRs and different flea remedies are ineffective as a result of they don’t kill fleas in any respect levels of the life cycle — it simply means you’ll additionally should deal with your setting with one thing that works on pupa.

So how do you deal with the setting? Plenty of cleansing and vacuuming. It sounds easy I do know, however it’s efficient at choosing up all these nasty little eggs, larva & pupa these fleas have left behind. As quickly as you’ve handled your canine for fleas it’s time to start out cleansing your flooring, focusing closely on the areas and/or upholstery the place your canine spends a number of time.

When eliminating fleas bear in mind to deal with your canine and the setting. Many flea remedies solely deal with eliminating grownup fleas moderately than disrupting them in any respect levels of their life cycle.

The right way to Get Rid of Fleas

Fleas are so exhausting to eliminate as a result of we are likely to solely deal with eliminating the adults. To eliminate fleas you must deal with your pet and the setting. So which means discovering a therapy in your canine that kills grownup fleas, after which eliminating all of the eggs, larva & pupa they left behind.

One of the best ways to eliminate fleas is to select a therapy in your pet to get rid of grownup fleas, after which work on treating the setting. And in most situations that may be performed with a little bit elbow grease. In case you vacuum sufficient and clear the areas the place your pet likes to hang around you may not should deal with your own home with any further remedies.

After treating your canine for fleas, constant vacuuming will assist get rid of all these eggs, larva & pupa they’ve left behind. Give attention to areas the place your canine spends a number of time such because the sofa or their mattress. Vacuum beneath furnishings as effectively since a number of flea larvae and eggs could be discovered on the base of furnishings. You’ll additionally need to wash any bedding or blankets your canine has come into contact with in sizzling, soapy water.

After we had fleas I vacuumed 3 times a day for a pair weeks. Flea eggs can take 2-3 days to hatch, so persistently vacuuming for a few days will assist be sure that you’re eliminating fleas in any respect levels of life.

As a result of pupa can lay dormant for months it’s essential to repeatedly deal with the setting. Repeated vacuuming is really useful to take away flea eggs out of your carpets & flooring. Be certain that to empty your vacuum instantly afterwards and take it outdoors — these eggs can hatch whereas inside your vacuum bag.

In case your canine is experiencing excessive itching or any hair loss I make an appointment together with your veterinarian. Some canines are allergic to fleas, and might have extreme reactions to a flea infestation.

Conclusion

If in case you have fleas in your house you have got my permission to freak out a little bit. I do know I did. However don’t fret an excessive amount of — you possibly can eliminate them so long as you bear in mind to deal with your own home in addition to treating your canine.

In case you spot fleas in your canine do not forget that solely a small proportion are in your canine at any given time. The eggs, larvae, and pupa are literally discovered on the bottom, usually embedded in carpet and different locations the place your canine spends a number of time.

As an alternative of simply specializing in the seen fleas you must get rid of all these little nasty eggs, larvae & pupa they left behind. In case you’re solely killing grownup fleas it’s only a matter of time earlier than all of the eggs hatch into an entire new infestation.

Please share with your mates