Most species of fleas prefer warm, humid environment, which is why they are more problematic during the spring and simmer months. Once the temperatures begin to warm, these blood-sucking parasites will emerge from their dormant egg state to wreck havoc on dogs, cats and other warm-blooded animals. With that said, fleas may still prove to be a nuisance during the fall season as well. If you’re a pet owner, you should follow some basic precautions to ensure your furry four-legged friend is safe and protected from these parasites.
Turn Down The Thermostat
One of the easiest, and arguably most effective, forms of flea treatment for the home is to lower the thermostat. Fleas thrive in environments of 68 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer; therefore, lowering your thermostat will create an environment that’s unsuitable for them. This isn’t a foil-proof method to keep fleas from entering and/or living inside your home, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Bathe Your Pet(s)
Bathing your pet (or pets) on a regular basis is also an important step in the prevention of fleas. This will give you the opportunity to see and remove individual fleas, and it will promote a healthy, brilliant coat. So, how often should you bathe your pet? It really depends on your pet’s fur, breed and nutrition. A good rule of thumb, however, is to bathe dogs once every two-to-three weeks and cats once every three-to-four weeks. And to make baths more productive, it’s recommended that you use a special flea-medicated shampoo.
Insect Growth Inhibitor
Insect growth inhibitors (IGI) refers to a unique category of flea treatment and preventative medicine that breaks the flea’s life cycle. While some products kill fleas on contact, IGI medicine breaks the flea’s life cycle so they are no longer able to reproduce. Most veterinarians recommend pet owners use an IGI product to treat flea infestations while subsequently protecting their pets from these blood-sucking parasites.
Vacuum The Floors
We can’t talk about seasonal flea prevention medicine without mentioning vacuuming. A study conducted by the University of Florida found that vacuuming alone eliminated up to 96% of the flea’s population — and that’s not factoring in other methods. To eliminate the most fleas possible through vacuuming, it’s recommended that you pull out your furniture beforehand, vacuuming up against baseboards, corners and other hard-to-reach areas.