Flea and Tick Control

Pet flea and tick control is a multi-step process. Adult fleas and ticks spend most of their time on an animal, but flea eggs, larvae, and pupae are most often found in the pet's environment - especially in carpeting, bedding, and under furniture edges. For every flea that you see on your pet, there are likely to be hundreds of eggs and larvae in your home and yard. Ticks can hide just about any place and are difficult to eradicate. Think about the "3 Ps" when you want an easy and effective flea and tick control program.

PURGE
If your dog already has a flea and tick infestation, your first step is to eliminate the parasites from your pet. Choose a flea and tick spray to keep adult fleas and ticks off your pets and to keep the insects from reproducing. Or, bathe the parasites off of your dogs with a flea and tick shampoo made for dogs that kills fleas and ticks. A good flea and tick shampoo will also leave your pet’s skin supple and his coat shiny.

PREVENT
Once you get rid of these pests in your home, keep them off your pet. You may want to apply a once-a-month topical to your dog like Frontline® Plus or K9 Advantix®. The best topical products kill any adult fleas and ticks your pet might encounter plus eliminate juvenile forms of the flea and flea eggs. If you prefer, use a flea and tick collar instead of a topical. Flea collars can be convenient for some since they typically last longer than topicals.

PROTECT
Your home is a desirable flea habitat because the fleas are shielded from the outside elements. They will stay inside all year round if you do not continually protect your home. This involves mechanically removing all stages of the fleas, killing any remaining adults, and preventing immature forms from developing. The only way to win the battle against fleas and ticks is to use this multi-focal approach. Be systematic and thorough and you will find that you and your pet can enjoy life without these pests.