As spring approaches, signaling the departure of chilly winter days, pet owners must remain vigilant. It also marks the beginning of flea season. While fleas can threaten pets throughout the year, their activity peaks during the warmer months, typically starting as early as March in certain regions of the United States.
Fleas thrive in moist environments and prefer temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Consequently, the arrival of spring creates ideal conditions for flea eggs to hatch and for these pesky parasites to become more active.
Where You Might Find Fleas
Flea eggs typically take between two days to two weeks to mature into adult fleas. Therefore, it's crucial to begin monitoring your pets for fleas as soon as the weather starts to warm up. Fleas have a versatile life cycle, with eggs capable of remaining dormant for over 100 days. This means they can be found anywhere, whether it's indoors or outdoors in the garden, as temperatures rise.
Checking For Fleas In Your Pet
If you observe your pet scratching excessively, it could indicate the presence of fleas. Please take a moment to inspect your pet's fur, paying close attention to areas like their ears and rear, where fleas commonly hide. Fleas typically appear as tiny black specks. Even if your dog or cat isn't showing signs of scratching, conducting a daily check for fleas is advisable, as some pets may have a higher threshold for itchiness and may not display typical symptoms.
Treat Your Pet For Fleas In Spring
Ensuring effective flea control in spring begins with proactive measures taken before the season starts. Providing your dog or cat with ongoing protection against fleas is essential. This can be achieved through the use of either oral or topical medications.
Topical Treatment
Revolution and Frontline Plus are two widely recognized and efficient monthly treatments for eliminating fleas, eggs, and larvae on your pets. These treatments provide comprehensive protection for dogs and cats, lasting 30 days with each application. Designed for monthly use, they effectively prevent new infestations from occurring.
Oral Treatment
To effectively combat fleas, eggs, and larvae and prevent new infestations, consider administering Bravecto chews for dogs or Bravecto topical for both cats and dogs every 12 weeks. These treatments provide long-lasting protection. Additionally, NexGard is available for dogs, offering 30 days of flea protection and killing fleas, eggs, and larvae. It's suitable for puppies as young as eight weeks old.
Spring Deep Clean
Springtime calls for thorough measures to eliminate fleas from your surroundings. Start by deep cleaning your home to prevent flea eggs from maturing into adult fleas. Since flea eggs and larvae cannot withstand direct sunlight, opening windows to let in fresh air and sunlight help eradicate them. Vacuum meticulously, wash all linens, and expose them to sunlight for drying.
If you suspect a flea infestation, you might need to take additional steps to eradicate them. Remember to tend to your yard as well. With the arrival of spring, there may be an increase in bushy growth, dead leaves, and woodpiles, which serve as breeding grounds for fleas. Remove debris, mow the lawn, and maximize sunlight exposure in your yard to effectively eliminate fleas during the spring season.
