Last night, Mr. Fish, the venerable Geronimo's retired store kitty, started scratching, then licking, then scratching again, a sure signal he has some fleas. Poor fella, fleas love his delicate and papery elderly skin, but he is also very allergic, so it's important to get control quickly. A single flea can bite 400 times in a one day, and if your pet is sensitive, like Mr. Fish, the bites can result in serious skin problems and hair loss.
This time of year, flea control is a major problem for many of us here on the island. A long stretch of hot and humid weather produces an ideal environment for the flea lifestyle. In fact, experts warn that climate change, with warmer summers and winters, is creating more favorable living conditions for disease-carrying insects that feed on warm-blooded creatures. For the future, longer periods of pest activity and wider range of territory means pet owners will need to be even more vigilant about protecting pets from ticks, fleas, flies and mosquitoes.
The most common customer complaint regarding flea control is the diffi- culty of eradication once they get established. It's true, they are pesky, resilient little devils and a one-shot approach will not do the job. I always urge a methodical, multi-pronged and persistent attack. Mark your calendar for an every two week assignment and faithfully apply topical preventives on schedule each month, preferably year-round.
When I spot a flea or notice scratching, my first offense is to give all my pets Capstar, a pill for fleas you can give to both dogs and cats. Available from the MSPCA, this is an over-the-counter product that starts working within 20-30 minutes and will kill off 98 percent of the fleas within five hours. Capstar can be used along with other flea medications and can be given daily. It is best used to give immediate relief; it kills only adult fleas, but does not impact eggs, larva or adult fleas that may bite after application, and because there is no residual effect, it is not a good long-term solution.
My next strategy is to give a flea and tick bath. Fleas can also be killed by drowning and by using a good flea and tick shampoo you can eliminate many of the adult fleas. There are several shampoo products available using either natural or chemical repellents, but the application process is generally the same. Wet down your pet and start by applying the shampoo at the head and neck area to prevent the fleas from running into ears and nose openings and work your way back down the body and legs. Let the shampoo remain on the pet for 5-7 minutes, then thoroughly rinse.
After your bath, wait about 36 hours before applying a topical, spot-on product. Topical products are very effective and, depending on the product, can provide long-term protection against fleas, flea eggs, mosquitoes, flies or ticks. These are applied directly to the skin once a month. The price varies widely among some of the most familiar brands such as Frontline, Frontline Plus, Advantix and Bio Spot.
Next you have to deal with the environment. Depending on the level of your infestation, you might need to use a carpet powder, spray or foggers to knock down the fleas or neutralize the flea eggs in your home. Foggers are easy to use and will give the most comprehensive coverage, but the mist won't go down the hall or get under big pieces of furniture. I always caution that you should plan to do this at least twice, two weeks apart, and most likely more often if you have a severe problem.
Having said all this, one caution is to not go crazy and throw the works at your pet.
Our pets are not meant to endure a chemical cocktail of flea preventives. Pick one or two chemical products that will come into direct contact with your pet, then use other non-chemical methods to help control the fleas. Vacuum frequently with a snip of flea collar placed in your disposable bag or reservoir. Give your pet a bath without any shampoo to drown adult fleas. Use natural, botanically-based products to spray in the house or on pet bedding. Frequently wash your own bedding, particularly if your pet shares your nighttime space, and also wash pet bedding often.
Some plants have natural pesticides and you can use these plants in your garden or around your yard to naturally repel fleas. Lavender was used in the middle ages as a cure for the plague because it kept fleas away and it also scented the clothing. It is an easy grower here and generally not toxic to either dogs or cats. Fleas dislike the smell of eucalyptus, most readily available through craft stores as decorative branches, and the leaves can be scattered under furniture; however, it is considered toxic to animals so it should be used only in areas inaccessible to your pets. Mint is also a natural repellent and quite safe. Keep your yard areas mowed and trimmed.
The key to effective flea control is having a plan that fits your budget, your time, your philosophy regarding insect control and your adherence to a schedule.