Killing Dog Fleas

Since fleas are such a common problem among our canine companions, there are naturally a lot of questions on how to get rid of them. Below are some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on killing dog fleas. Chances are you’ve asked quite a few of them yourself.

Q: What are the more common ways of killing dog fleas?

A: This is a question usually asked by owners trying to deal with fleas for the first time, hence its general nature. Some of the more established methods of killing dog fleas include giving dogs baths using chemicals or oils that suffocate adult fleas and remove flea eggs from their fur, feeding dogs certain foods like garlic and vinegar, applying a variety of topical treatments, and making use of sprays and powders that drastically reduce the flea population in both dog and home.

There is hardly a shortage of options in treating dog fleas, but some may be more effective on your dog than others. If you’re new to the game, you should probably allot some time for experimentation to find the method that works best on your dog.

Q: My flea treatments don’t seem to work anymore. What happened?

A: There’s a good chance that the fleas you’re currently dealing with have developed some sort of resistance to the products you’ve been using, especially if you’ve been using them exclusively for some time. Don’t panic, though. Just because they have developed an immunity to a certain treatment doesn’t mean they are no longer vulnerable to others.

Mix it up for a while. Try out some alternative remedies; they are plenty for you to choose from. You may even be able to go back to the old treatment after some time and notice that it is, once again, effective.

Q: Are natural remedies just as effective as the chemical-based flea killers out on the market today?

A: Contrary to popular opinion, natural remedies may be just as effective as chemical-based products in treating dog fleas. Natural remedies ? which are sometimes referred to as ?home remedies? because the materials needed for them are typically found at home ? are capable of killing dog fleas in great numbers just like their chemical counterparts, albeit not as quickly.

Though they oftentimes lack the the immediate effect of chemical foggers, sprays, and powders, they also lack their considerable health risks, making them a popular option for the safety-conscious.

Q: I finally got rid of the fleas on my dog, but there’s still a lot running around the house. How do I get rid of these pests before they set up camp on my pooch again?

A: There’s no better way of killing dog fleas fast than the use of chemicals foggers. These flea killers cover vast areas all at once, speeding up the body count exponentially. Foggers are notorious for leaving certain areas untreated, however, so you may want to follow up with a spray to be sure. Spray the spots behind and underneath all furniture, as well as the far ends of the room to do away with potential survivors.

If you’re against using chemicals, feel free to try this reliable home remedy: salt. Surprisingly, table salt does wonders for flea control. Sprinkling salt all over the floors of your house (paying special attention to areas you suspect might have an overabundance of fleas) should keep the number of fleas at a minimum.

Q: I kill more and more fleas everyday, but they still keep coming. Why is that and how do I make them stop?

A: The reproduction rate of fleas would truly be something to behold if we didn’t have to suffer as a result of it. Just think: one flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, and up to 2000 in its lifetime. Add this to the fact that eggs can hatch in a a matter of days under adequate conditions, and you’ll have an idea why they keep coming in even greater numbers than before.

The trick is not to focus on killing dog fleas, but breaking their life cycle. Many chemical products act as Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) which render live fleas incapable of reproduction. Making use of these should assure you that you won’t be treating dog fleas a month after you’ve killed off your current batch of bloodsuckers.

Q: Do I have to buy IGRs separately from the other chemical products I use for treating dog fleas?

A: Not necessarily. There are actually some products that act as both adulticides and IGRs, saving you money, time, and effort. Adulticides, as their name implies, do away with dog fleas, while the IGRs make sure that any survivors won’t be able to reproduce and spawn entire armies of fleas to once again stage an invasion.

Continued use of these products until your dog and home are completely flea-free is highly recommended, since they would ensure the fleas that have yet to hatch will be dealt with soon enough, and won’t be having any eggs of their own in the meantime.

With that ends the FAQ on killing dog fleas. There are surely lots more frequently asked questions on this subject, but the ones we’ve covered in this FAQ should address the more pressing concerns. Remember that knowledge is half the battle. By knowing the answers to these questions, you’ve secured a huge advantage in the war against fleas.