How to deal with fleas

BE CLEAR ON FLEAS & FLEA CONTROL Looking after your dog

Being wise about fleas will help protect your pet and your family home. As pet professionals, Wags Dog Salons groomers are here to help you become clear on fleas, which can be a huge problem to everyone, but with the right control can be fairly easily kept at bay.

THE LIFE CYCLE OF A FLEA

• Adult fleas jump onto their host feeding on their blood, causing itching and irritation and risk of serious disease.
• Within 48 hours the adults fleas start laying large amounts of eggs that fall off the animal into your home and any areas that the animal comes into contact with.
• After a few days these eggs become flea larvae. The larvae don’t like bright areas, so quickly crawl into cracks and crevasses, such as under furniture and deep into carpets. At this point they are virtually impossible for the human eye to see.
• The larvae spin cocoons until the conditions become right, then hatch as fleas to attach and feed on the warm blooded host.
• The life the cycle then begins again, causing rapid multiplying and infestations.

FACTS ABOUT FLEAS

• Fleas can live up to 6 months in your home.
• For every 5 fleas on your animal there is 20 times more in your home.
• Your home can become infested with eggs and larvae.
• Vacuuming alone only removes 50% of fleas.
• Killing the fleas on your pet will not stop re-infestation.

DEALING WITH FLEAS

• Learn about the flea life cycle how they develop and live
• Identify the problem and treat as soon as you become aware.

HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS OF FLEAS ON YOUR PET

• Excessive licking and scratching.
• Visible black and brown flecks on your pets fur (Flea Dirt) which is the excrement of the flea containing your pets blood.
• You can test a few flecks of this by putting it on a wet paper towel it will leave a reddish brown stain behind.