Throughout the dog’s life, it is inevitable that they have ticks on them. It is a very common problem that can be prevented, but due to the ignorance of many, this problem persists. It is so expensive to get a vet to treat a common tick problem when the alternative is so much cheaper! We will be suggesting an effective dog flea treatment method in this post.
EFFECTIVE DOG FLEA TREATMENT METHOD
First things first, let us state some facts about ticks
What Are Ticks?
Ticks are essentially arachnids and are relatives of spiders. These small creatures live primarily in grass fields, woodlands and yes they can be found around your home too! This may come as a surprise to many, as they assume that the ticks that got onto their pet came from the grass fields only. One common furniture in the house is the carpet, and it is a prime breeding place for ticks.
The reason why they like to cling onto living things is because they need the blood to survive. Infected fleas can pass diseases from one host to another.
Ticks cannot fly, nor do they jump. They simply reside on low lying plants and wait for a potential host to pass by. When the host brushes against the plant, the tick will attach itself onto the coat or clothing. It will then crawl and look for a suitable place to start its feeding frenzy.
It doesn’t matter if your dog is of a bigger breed, or they are minute in size. All sizes of dogs have the same equal chance of getting fleas. However, due to the size of smaller dogs, it is easier for them to contract tick borne diseases.
How did the ticks get onto my dog?
There are various ways at which dogs can get ticks or fleas from.
Other Canines
Whenever your dog comes into contact with other animals whom might have ticks on their coats, the ticks will simply move over to your dog when their coats are in contact with one another. It won’t be easy to detect which dog has a flea-infested coat.
From The Environment
This is perhaps one of the more common causes. As mentioned earlier, ticks can’t fly nor jump. So, the ticks will simply move to the host when the host moves around the tick-infested area. Do note that places like trekking trails and poorly maintained gardens or parks does have a higher chance of inhibiting fleas.
At home
It is not unusual for ticks to be present in the house, especially on carpets and rugs. Ticks love to hide in warm dark places, and the above mentioned items are ideal locations for them to hide, multiply and eventually moving on to hosts.Also, places like the dog’s bedding and kennels are obvious places that ticks can be present.
This video from Novartis shows you the hidden danger of fleas in rugs
Ways to prevent or kill ticks
There are in fact many ways at which we can prevent ticks from crawling onto our dog’s coat, and many of the preventive measures requires effort from us as owners.
Operation Clean Up
First, we should look at preventive measures that can be taken to ensure that the entire house is tick free.
Ensure that the dirty laundry is not left around the house. The dirty laundry should be put in a proper place. There are many websites that recommends washing the clothes in hot water as the hot water kills the ticks. While heat can kill ticks, hot water merely tickles them! Also, you would not be able to remove ticks from clothing simply by washing them.
It is a very good practice to dry our dirty clothes in the dryer before washing them as the high heat in the dryer kills the ticks. Deer ticks are susceptible to drying while the American Dog Ticks and Lone Star ticks are hardier. To ensure that your dirty clothes are tick-free, cook them in the dryer for 15 minutes, and the ticks will be roasted dry.
Next, we will be looking at cleaning the carpet thoroughly. There are a few steps needed to ensure that the carpet is free of these pesky little creatures. Fist of all,. we have to vacuum the carpet completely. Ensure that the vacuum’s suction power is fairly good. However, this process usually only eliminates the eggs and adult fleas, but the larvae clings onto the carpet.
To clear the carpet of these larvae, we can turn to commercial products to assist us on this. There are are substances which can assist us in clearing them off safely and effortlessly, and one of them is Diatomaceous Earth.
Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring powdery substance that breaks down the exoskeleton of the ticks and eventually killing them off. We recommend using Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade for your home.
Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade is natural product and is safe for human and animal consumption. It meets the U.S. Food chemicals codex standards, and it doesn’t contain additives and contaminants. It is fairly simple to use this product.
- Vacuum the area at which you will be applying the substance on. Ensure that the surface is not damp.
- Apply Diatomaceous Earth on the targeted areas. Use applicators like All Stop Pest Pistol Duster.
- After a few days, vacuum the areas that you have applied Diatomaceous Earth on.
- Bath your dog since it would have come into contact with the substance.
- After bathing, comb your dog with a flea comb. It is recommended that you repeat the above process twice every week, leaving the substance on the surfaces for about 2-3 days before starting the vacuuming process.
This is one of the most effective dog flea treatment method that is easy and effortless on our part.
Applying insecticides
Using insecticides to exterminate ticks is again a no-brainer. We recommend using 3/4 gal Talstar Pro / One Multi Use Pest Control Insecticide.
Talstar Pro is one of the most trusted insecticides used by many pest control companies these days and is regarded as an effective dog flea treatment method. Whenever you see your regular pest-control guy, check out his equipment, and more often than not, they will be using products from Tastar Professionals. Talstar Pro exterminates over 75 pests and can be used indoors and outdoors. It has a residual, so it keeps on killing these pests for over 3 months. This is by far the most effective insecticide that most people have used. Many people have mentioned that this product shaved dollars off their yearly bill on engaging various pest control companies. Use this product if you want an effective dog flea treatment method.
Dog Flea Shampoo
If you wish to protect your dog further, consider using Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo with Precor. This can be an effective dog flea treatment method.
Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo with Precor is enriched with oatmeal, coconut extract and is a concentrated lathering shampoo. It protects the dog for up to 28 days of control of pre-adult fleas. It does its regular job of removing dirt and whatnot too. Many other commercial shampoos claimed too exterminate ticks, but none of them received so much rave reviews as compared to Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo.
Flea Collar
Last but not least, we can always use flea collars as an additional preventive measure. There are generally 2 functions of flea collars. Flea collars can either emit a smell to repel pests, or that can contain medication that slowly seep onto the layer on the dog’s skin. Some collars only have 1 of the above-said functions, so read carefully at the labels before deciding on purchasing them. We recommend using Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for your dog.
Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar protect your dog from ticks and fleas for a period of 8 months. The sustained release technology means that the ingredients are released into your dog’s skin over a sustained period of 8 months. It helps to prevent infestations, and it also repels and kills ticks, hence serving the 2 functions that were stated earlier. It can be worn even when swimming or bathing your dog as it is water-resistant. But if the dog swims more than once a month, the effectiveness of the dog collar reduces to about 5 months. This is again one of the most effective dog flea treatment method! You just have to put on the collar, and the technology does the rest for us.
Factors to Consider
When choosing the right flea treatment for your dog, consider the following factors:
- Dog’s Size and Weight: It’s essential to select a flea treatment that matches your dog’s size and weight. For instance, a treatment suitable for a small Chihuahua may not be effective for a large breed like a Great Dane. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines to ensure the right dosage for your specific dog.
- Age of Your Dog: Different flea treatments are formulated for various age groups. Puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs may have different requirements when it comes to flea control. For example, some treatments may not be safe for puppies, so it’s crucial to choose a product appropriate for your dog’s age.
- Existing Health Conditions: If your dog has pre-existing health conditions, it’s imperative to consult with your veterinarian before selecting a flea treatment. Some treatments might interact with your dog’s medications or aggravate their health issues. Your vet can recommend a safe and suitable option, ensuring your dog’s overall well-being.
- Effectiveness of the Product: Not all flea treatments are created equal. Research and read reviews to determine the effectiveness of the product you’re considering. Look for products with a proven track record of killing and repelling fleas. You can also consult with fellow dog owners or online communities to gather real-world feedback and recommendations.
- Safety and Allergies: Prioritize your dog’s safety when choosing a flea treatment. Some dogs may be sensitive or allergic to certain ingredients found in flea products. For example, a dog with a history of skin allergies may react negatively to a specific ingredient. Carefully examine the product’s ingredients and consult with your vet to avoid potential allergic reactions.
- Environmental Factors: Consider your local environment when selecting a flea treatment. If you live in an area with a high prevalence of fleas, you may require a more potent and long-lasting solution. On the other hand, if fleas are less common in your region, a milder treatment may suffice.
- Lifestyle and Activities: Your dog’s lifestyle and activities can also influence your choice of flea treatment. A highly active dog that spends a lot of time outdoors might require a different type of protection compared to a more sedentary indoor dog. Be sure to select a product that suits your dog’s daily routines.
How To Ensure House Is Free Of Fleas
If in the event that your house is infested with fleas, you will need to start to do some cleaning in the house as fleas do multiply fast, and it can affect both your family as well as your pets. Here are some of the things that you can start doing.
1. Vacuum frequently
Vacuuming your floors, furniture, and dog’s bedding regularly can help to remove fleas and their eggs from your home. When you vacuum, make sure to pay special attention to areas where your dog spends a lot of time, such as their bed or a favorite spot on the couch. Vacuum bags should be disposed of immediately after use to prevent the fleas from escaping.
2. Wash your dog’s bedding
Washing your dog’s bedding in hot water (at least 130°F) can kill fleas and their eggs. It’s important to use hot water to ensure that the fleas and eggs are eliminated. You can also use a laundry detergent that is specially formulated to kill fleas.
3. Treat your yard
Fleas can also live in your yard, so it’s important to treat the area around your home. You can use a flea and tick control product to kill fleas and their eggs in your yard. These products can be in the form of granules, sprays or dust and can be applied to the lawn, shrubs, and other areas where your dog spends time.
4. Use flea sprays
Flea sprays are specially formulated to kill fleas and their eggs. They can be used to treat your home, furniture, and dog’s bedding. You can use a spray that contains pyrethrin, an insecticide that is safe for use around pets, to kill fleas and their eggs.
5. Flea comb
Regularly combing your dog’s coat with a fine-toothed flea comb can help to remove fleas and their eggs from your dog’s fur. It’s important to do this in a well-lit area so you can see the fleas and eggs, and to comb all the way down to the skin.
6. Preventive treatment
There are flea prevention treatments available like topicals, oral and collars which can be applied on your dog to prevent the fleas from infesting on your pet. Topical treatments are applied directly to the dog’s skin, oral treatments are given as a tablet, and collars are worn around the neck. These treatments contain insecticides that will prevent fleas from infesting on your dog.
It’s important to note that flea infestations can be difficult to get rid of, so it may be necessary to use multiple methods at once to effectively eliminate them.
