You know fleas and ticks are gross. You also understand that these pests carry life-threatening diseases with hard-to-pronounce names like ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. But do you know what to do when you’re treated with a monthly topical pest treatment and still see fleas on your dog or cat? Read on to find out.
A majority of the fleas are not on your dog or cat. They are in your carpets, bedding, furniture, and yard. If you are only treating your pet, you are missing out on a significant portion of your home’s flea population. It’s like only following 1/3 of a recipe – you may end up with some lovely cookie dough, but if you want cookies, you’ve got a problem.
Getting rid of an active flea infestation can take up to three months.
To help shorten this timeframe, follow this easy three-step program:
- Treat your pet: Treat once a month with an easy and effective flea and tick topical product to kill fleas and ticks on your pet. These products kill before fleas and ticks before they have a chance to bite and detaches ticks that are on your dog or cat.
- Treat the home: To kill the adult and pre-adult fleas hiding in pet bedding and carpets, treat the premises with a flea and tick household spray or powder. Make sure you clean the areas your pet frequents. This includes vacuuming floors and spraying baseboards and furniture. You may need to up the ante a bit for a severe infestation and use a fogger.
- Treat the yard: Read the label. Check the product to ensure it is for outdoor yard use only, what pests it kills, how much area it covers, and how long it will last. These factors will vary by manufacturer.
So, if you’re only doing one or two of these steps, you may be missing a vital link in flea control. Make sure your home and your pets stay safe from the discomfort and dangers of fleas and ticks by adequately treating your pet, home, and yard in the 3-step process.
