My Dog has Fleas!
Flea Life cycle
The fleas you see on your dog only make up 5% of the flea population. The other 95% are in different stages of development (eggs, larvae and pupae), and will develop into fleas over time. This means that a VERY IMPORTANT part of killing all stages of the fleas life cycle is to treat your house!
Treating your house
Treating your house is crucial if your dog has fleas. This is because flea eggs will likely be in the house, which in turn will develop into larvae, pupae and then adult fleas when the time is right. Unfortunately, the pupae stage can last for months, as they wait for the right environmental conditions to become adult fleas.
Using an insecticidal spray will kill fleas in the house, but only once they hatch from the pupae. You cannot kill the pupae, unless you burn your house down (NOT recommended!!), but you can trigger their development into adult fleas by vacuuming. By vacuuming daily for 7 days, the pupae will develop and the insecticidal spray you have used will then kill the fleas.
Cheap sprays and bombs are not as effective, and you will end up spending more money and time in the long run by using them.
Treat your dog
A good flea treatment for your dog, and any other animals in your house, is crucial to break the life cycle of fleas in your house. Prescription only flea treatments can be very fast and long acting and will be 100% effective, compared to many shop bought products which have varying degrees of effectiveness.
Washing Bedding
Washing any bedding your dog or pets have been lying on at 60 degrees will kill any fleas/eggs/larvae. It is worth doing this several times over a few weeks .
Regular flea treatment
If your dog is allergic to flea bites (and gets very itchy if ever they appear), it is important to ensure regular flea control.