Flea and Ticks in Pets

Fleas are the bane of any pet’s existence. However, they’re more than a mere annoyance. Fleas can harbor disease, cause severe allergic reactions in some animals, and they are the classic mode of transmission for tapeworm eggs to find their way into the intestines of cats and dogs.

Flea and tick prevention isn’t so much a matter of difficulty as it is one of timing and perseverance, regardless of whether you use conventional or natural methods of control. In addition, it’s not enough to treat the animal; you must also treat the environment, both indoors and out.

The Life Cycle of Fleas

While the average life span of a flea lasts only about six weeks, they can live up to a full year under the right circumstances. Furthermore, there are four distinct stages of life for a flea, each of which progress according to environmental conditions. Incredibly, up to 95% of the life of a flea is spent in your yard and house, not on your pet.

The life stages of a flea:

• Adult: Only 5-10% of the entire population is at this stage at any time and this is the only time the species will be taking up residence on your pet.
• Egg: An adult female flea will lay up to 600 eggs during her lifetime. However, eggs fall off of the animal and hatch in pet bedding, household carpeting, etc.
• Larvae: After hatching, the flea larva will spend the next 7-14 days feeding off of the feces of adult fleas before spinning a cocoon to await the next stage, which can take up to 140 days.
• Pupae: Heat, humidity or even vibrations in the environment will eventually stimulate the flea to shed its cocoon and emerge as an adult. From here, the entire life cycle is repeated in the next generation.

Ticks Can Be Tricky

Ticks come in several varieties, all of them being a cousin to the spider and each capable of transmitting disease, such as Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Like fleas, ticks are more active in spring and summer, but they may also remain active through fall and even survive freezing temperatures if the conditions are right. Ticks hide in grassy or sandy areas until the opportunity arises to hitch a ride with an unsuspecting host, namely your dog or cat.

If your pet is permitted outdoors, it’s important to give your pet’s skin a daily check for ticks, especially during the warmer months. If you discover a small bump that feels like a pimple, chances are a blood-sucking tick has burrowed its head into your pet’s skin for a free meal.

To remove a tick from your pet:

• Spread the fur surrounding the area apart as much as you can with your fingers.
• Using tweezers, slowly grasp the tick as close to the head as possible and pull it straight out, being careful not to squeeze or pull the tick away from the head.
• If you live in an area where Lyme Disease is known to occur, bring the tick to your veterinarian for identification.

How to Keep Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases Away from Your Pet

In the case of ticks, prevention is more efficient than cure. If you live in an area where ticks tend to thrive, or where Lyme Disease has been reported, discuss the possible use of ‘spot’ treatments formulated to kill ticks, many of which are also effective at deterring fleas. You may also wish to consider giving your pet the Lyme Disease vaccination.

Natural Prevention of Fleas and Ticks

While conventional flea and tick preventions designed to be applied topically as a spot treatment may be effective, there’s little doubt that they contain chemicals with potential health hazards and side effects. Fortunately, there are several natural options to help deter fleas and ticks instead:

Start with a natural diet for your pet:

A healthy animal is less likely to become the target of parasites, particularly fleas. In fact, fleas seem to find an animal with a strong immune system much less appetizing.

Give your pet supplements:

Garlic, vitamin B complex, burdock root, dandelion and red clover are some of the supplements reputed to repel fleas and ticks.

Treat your pet with topical applications of essential oils:

Dilute 10-15 drops of the essential oil of cedar, citronella, rosemary or lavender with ½ cup water. Work the solution into the fur (or spray on) and then comb your pet’s fur with a flea comb, rinsing the comb on each pass in water. If you wish, you may follow up with a rinse of lemon juice and water. Repeat this procedure weekly.

Treat the outdoor environment:

Applications of neem, diatomaceous earth (the kind from garden supply stores, not pool supply outlets) or beneficial nematodes (tiny worms that feed on pests) are quite effective at reducing the flea and tick population living in your yard. Also, keep the grass cut short and avoid providing safe havens where flea eggs and larvae can lay in wait, such as piles of leaves, debris etc.

Treat the indoor environment:

Wash floors regularly and vacuum carpeting and area rugs daily during flea season, paying particular attention to cracks and crevices. (If your vacuum uses bags, dispose of them immediately after vacuuming.) Also, wash your pet’s bedding every week.

Trap fleas with a nightlight:

Let any existing fleas in your home warm up to a nightlight pointed toward the floor (close to your pet’s bedding is ideal) with a dish containing soapy water underneath. The fleas will be attracted to the spot and end up going for a late night swim. A squirt of dish detergent in the water ensures that the fleas will sink rather than float on the top. Be sure to change the dish of soapy water daily.