Protect your Pets, Children and Household From Fleas

If you've been watching the news recently, then you may know..

... the ASPCA made an official announcement this week warning dog and cat owners about using spot on type flea and tick treatments because of the alarming number of reports they receive about dogs and cats becoming ill and dying.         

The EPA followed up on the ASPCA's warning by announcing it's intesifying its scrutiny of the commercial flea and tick control for pets industry.

The timing couldn't be worse because in the US and UK its coming into prime flea-season.

  There is a natural way to get rid of fleas which will give your dog  the healthiest and most flea-less summer of its life.

All dogs are extremely susceptible to fleas.

Fleas can be seen quickly moving over the dog's skin and are particularly partial to the base of the dogs tail and behind his ears. Flea droppings look like specks of grit and are especially visible on the dogs stomach.

Dog fleas are quite indiscriminate and will infest the clean healthy dog just as much as the dirty neglected animal. Flea bites can cause extreme irritation to the dog. Some dogs can also become allergic to the saliva which is injected into the skin when the flea bites. As well as the irritation of the flea bite fleas are also the intermediate host of the tapeworm.

At one time flea infestations were confined to the summer months but nowadays with more and more homes being centrally heated that is no longer the case. Fleas like warmth and will lay their eggs in the gap between the skirting board and the carpet, between the floorboards, in the pile of fitted carpets and in the dogs bedding and basket.

After the eggs hatch the larvae stage can remain dormant for anything up to a year if the temp is not warm enough, before jumping onto the next passing host--perhaps your dog or worse you!--for a meal. Fleas do not live on the dog but simply use him as a source of food. They will live in your home and anywhere where the dog regularly goes, such as the car.

Only fastidious attention to flea control will ensure that your dog is kept clear of these prolific parasites.

You must treat the home and car regularly in order to kill off the larvae and any adult fleas. As fleas like warmth areas you need to pay special attention to those areas in your home such as the carpet beneath the radiators,the settee and the bedroom. Do remember to treat all pet bedding as well. If you only treat the animal and not its environment then you will be leaving all the eggs to hatch out and re-infect the animal.

One of the best ways to prevent fleas getting a hold in your home is regular use of the vacuum cleaner. This will suck up the eggs around the edges of the carpets,before they have had a chance to hatch