Tips to a Flea-Free Summer

The warm weather comes with a lot of increased pest concerns for families.  We protect ourselves and our kids from ticks, mosquitoes, and bees and protect our home from ants, termites, and carpenter bees.  Hopefully, you have a plan for how you will protect your pet from the dreaded flea.  Fleas love the hot and humid weather of the summer months and the furry coat of your cat or dog provides the perfect breeding place.  Flea populations soar at this time of year.  And there are many more opportunities to pick up fleas when the weather warms, consider these factors:

1. You and your pet are outside more frequently which increases your chances of picking up fleas and bringing them back home with you.  Being out and about near other pets increases your chance of picking up fleas from another animal that may be infested.
2. Fleas can thrive outdoors, especially in shaded and protected areas where your furry friend or other outdoor animals might like to lay down and sleep. 
3. Once your pet picks up a few fleas they will reproduce quickly as the female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day!  Consider how your pet then travels around to different areas of your home and the opportunity for those fleas to infest furniture, rugs and other areas.  This is how flea infestations can become a problem throughout your home very quickly.

Now that we understand how infestations happen let’s take a look at how to best prevent a flea infestation in the first place.  Here are some tips to get you on your way to enjoying the summer months flea-free:

1. Ask your veterinarian for the best treatments to help prevent your pet from getting fleas.  There are many different flea species and your local veterinarian should recommend the type that will work best in your area.  We have seen higher success rates from veterinarian-suggested products versus the over-the-counter flea products available. 
2. Inspect your pet and their bedding often!  Be vigilant about doing regular flea inspections by separating the animal’s hairs and looking for the very small pieces of flea dirt or possibly even spotting a flea jumping from one hair to the other.  Be certain to look at the base of the tail, behind the ears, on the backs of the legs, the stomach, and around the pet’s neck.  If you spot one flea you can feel certain there are many others hiding on the pet.  Catching a flea infestation early can help protect your pet from the itching and discomfort that fleas can cause. 
3. If you suspect you have a flea infestation we highly recommend you call a professional in quickly.  Professionals will diagnose just how severe the infestation is, they have access to better treatment options and can address both indoor fleas and, if necessary, treat outdoors for severe infestations. 
4. Some at-home tips you should employ to control fleas:
   1. Immediately limit the areas of the home that the pet can access.  Fleas can fall off of pets like salt falls from a shaker so limiting the areas of the home where the pet goes can also limit the infestation.
   2. Wash all throw rugs as well as the pet’s bedding.
   3. Vacuum often all of the areas the pet has been, concentrating on areas that the dog typically hangs out.   Vacuum thoroughly all upholstered items, rugs, cracks, and crevices. 
   4. Remove clutter which provides lots of hiding places for fleas. 
   5.  See your veterinarian to ensure that you are using the best flea treatments on your pet. 

If you and your pet are suffering from flea infestations Cowleys can help!  We will create a custom flea control plan for your home and yard, if necessary.  Contact us today to read more about how we can control fleas in and around your home and for a free quote!