When you see your pet scratching more than usual, it may be an indication of a possible flea infestation. You give it a treatment as soon as you find a flea. A couple of days after, you see a few more of them crawling on your fur baby’s coat.
This happens because fleas reproduce rapidly and multiply in numbers once they find a host. Not only do they infest your pet but also spread the infection in surrounding areas within 6 to 8 weeks before you realize.
You’ll be surprised knowing that adult fleas only comprise 5% of total flea population of your house and the rest 95% include flea eggs, larvae and pupae which you do not get to see with a naked eye. So, shattering flea growth seems to be the only way to stop these blood sucking parasites. But the question is how do you do that?
With a logical and systematic approach, you can get over them for sure. Here’s a perfect trio to get rid of these insects:
- Develop an understanding about fleas
- Give your dogs an effective flea-treatment, and
- Flea-proof your home
Methods to Keep Your Fur Babies and House Flea-Free
1. Understanding Fleas
A flea goes through four stages in its life cycle; egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. Flea growth majorly depends on environmental factors such as temperature and humidity and it varies from two weeks to months. Ideally, fleas thrive in temperatures between 65-85°F with humidity ranging between 60-70%.
Flea Eggs
- Flea life cycle begins as soon as an adult female flea lays eggs. Flea eggs are white objects, smaller in size, and are laid in your pet’s fur and in their surroundings.
- Flea eggs comprise approximately 50% of your home’s total flea population.
- In ideal environmental conditions, flea eggs develop within two days to four weeks.
Flea Larvae
- Flea larvae are white, legless, and 1/4 inches long. They make up approximately 35% of the total flea population of your house.
- Larvae emerge over several weeks by feeding on flea dirt and other debris.
- In general, flea larvae will take anywhere between 5-20 days (about 3 weeks) to hatch from the eggs.
Pupae
- Also known as cocoon stage, pupae accounts for about 10% of total flea population of your home.
- The cocoon protects developing fleas for several months, if the conditions are not appropriate for exposure.
Adult Fleas
- Once a flea emerges from the cocoon, it begins feeding on the host in a few hours.
- Soon after the first meal, an adult flea will start to breed and begins laying eggs.
2. Using An Effective Flea Treatment
Now that we’ve learned about the enemy, the next step is combating them with an efficient treatment. There are endless treatment options available to tackle canine flea problem.
Nexgard happens to be one highly effective, vet-recommended, flea treatment for dogs. It is a small, bite-sized, beef-flavored chewable flea and tick treatment for dogs.
This oral flea treatment makes it relatively easy and simple when it comes to tackling flea problems on your dogs and in your home.
Let’s learn how.
Easy and Uncomplicated Administration
- Nexgard should be given orally, once-a-month.
- Alternatively, this chewable can be given with dog food. Observe your dog while it takes the dose with food and ensure dog completes the meal.
- If your dog vomits within a couple of hours after the dose, give one more dose.
- If you miss giving Nexgard on a scheduled date, administer a dose as soon as you recall dosing, and continue with monthly dosage regimen.
[Also Read] Which Flea & Tick Treatment is Right for Your Dog?
Complete Flea Control
Nexgard Chewable is formulated with a high-quality ingredient, afoxolaner to offer a minimum dosage of 1.14 mg/lb (2.5 mg/kg).
Monthly administration of Nexgard kills adult fleas; treats and prevents flea infestations, and provides complete flea control. Let’s understand how.
Nexgard Dose #1 – Fleas Are On The Rise
Flea eggs and larvae mature into adults and new fleas keep on emerging in the house. Adult fleas start feeding on your dogs and begin breeding.
The flea problem seems to be worsening.
Nexgard acts fast and provides effective flea control. The active component, afoxolaner, begins killing adult fleas within four hours after initial administration.
A single dose of Nexgard keeps on killing adult fleas throughout the month before they can lay eggs and keeps your dog protected for 30 days (about 4 weeks).
Nexgard Dose #2 – Flea Infestation Collapses
Nexgard keeps killing new fleas before they can lay eggs.
As soon as flea eggs and larvae mature into adults and jump on your treated dog, they die, and flea life cycle is stopped.
Flea infestation collapses soon after the second or third dose of treatment depending upon environmental flea population.
[Also Read] When Is Flea and Tick Season? A Region-wise Guide
Nexgard Dose #3 – Consistency Leads To Complete Control
It is nearly impossible for you to prevent your canine from catching new fleas after you’ve treated them with Nexgard. Fleas will keep coming back.
Only by administering Nexgard once every month will enable you to keep fleas at bay from your canine.
So, don’t just stop at the second or third dose; instead, give Nexgard Chewable once a month, all year round and protect your dogs from those blood-sucking insects.
3. Flea-proof Your Home
When your dog acts as a carrier of adult fleas, your house becomes a nursery. So, you must treat your home as well to completely eradicate the flea infestation.
Here’s a list of how you can do this:
- Wash your pet’s bedding
- Use vacuum to clean carpets and furniture
- Regularly mow your lawn
- Remove trash
- Avoid overwatering your yard/lawn
- Use effective flea spray
Home Remedies to Control Fleas
End Note
When you have your pet’s health on the line, you don’t want to leave any stone unturned. And if your fight is against fleas, don’t get frightened and make things complicated. Keep a good head on your shoulder, follow the methods mentioned in this article and soon you will find yourself waving goodbye to fleas.
