The most important thing to understand for effective prevention of fleas and ticks is how fleas and ticks find and attach to your pet.
Most fleas attach to your pet outside of your home. You may bring fleas in on your pants leg or your shoe, or you could have a visiting dog that brings fleas in, but usually, fleas ride into your home on your dog or cat.
Once an adult female flea has had a blood meal, she starts laying eggs. These eggs fall off of other animals and land in your yard. Fleas can be on a wide variety of mammals that scurry across your lawn. The eggs soon hatch into larvae. These tiny worm-like pests evolve into cocoon-covered pupae. This is the point at which fleas are most likely to find their way onto your pet.
When the pupae are ready to hatch, the young fleas immediately seek out a host and a meal. Vibrations on the ground, heat, and carbon dioxide signal to the pupae, “Hey, come on out, here’s some food!” and the cocoons hatch. Your innocent pet just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fleas will jump up on humans for a snack to help them get by, but they continue to see out their ideal host, which is your pet or another small mammal.
Most people think ticks jump or hide out in trees waiting to fall on animals and people when they pass by. It seems this way because of the strange places we find ticks, like in our hair. Ticks are most commonly found in tall grass, weeds, and bushes. As we come hiking through with our pets, we brush against them where they attach.
Ticks can go without a meal for a full 3 years so there are many out there waiting patiently for the opportunity to eat. Once they are on board, they bite and begin to feed with the help of a secreted glue-like substance that keeps them firmly attached.
“A prescription-only medication that will require approval from your vet, it’s one of the best flea and tick preventatives on the market.”
“The application process is a breeze, especially if your dog tends to turn up his nose at medications disguised as treats.”
“Ideal for dogs weighing between three and 10 pounds, this monthly topical preventative protects against fleas, eggs, and larvae.”
“It starts to work within 24 hours, and lasts far longer than topical treatments—saving you from constant treatments for your pet.”
“This natural, plant-based product uses ingredients like peppermint oil and clove extract to kill fleas, ticks, and flea eggs on contact.”
“Safe to use on dogs that have sensitive or flaky skin, and leaves coats shiny after every use.”
“A chemical-free mix of essential oils and natural ingredients that kills fleas, flea eggs, and ticks, while also repelling mosquitos.”
“A single dose of this oral treatment kills 90 percent of adult fleas, and can be given once a day until the infestation has been resolved.”
My name is Susie McManigal. I am very blessed to be able to raise AKC Registered English & French Bulldogs. I have been breeding Bulldog Puppies for 15 years, and can honestly say that I have loved every minute of it. My dogs are not just a job, they are my life. I love each and every one of them dearly!