Flea Control Products

There is no single product that is a sure fire, 100% cure for fleas.  Fleas are the hardest of all pests to control on cats and dogs.  To keep you and your pets free of fleas you must do 3 things:

There is no reason why any dog or cat should ever suffer from fleas again!  REMEMBER! Always read the label of any flea product before use as not all products are safe for cats, puppies and kittens.  Also, don't forget ticks. They go hand in hand with the fleas.  And don't forget to treat your horses.

Carpet Powders - These are great for treating your home as most only have to be applied once a year, are safe for all age pets and children and will withstand vacuuming.  Some are even effective after shampooing the carpet.

House Sprays - Sprays work great to kill adult fleas.  Some have growth regulators that will prevent eggs from hatching which will help prevent future breakout of fleas.   Always test the carpet and furniture in unnoticeable location for staining before spraying the entire area.

Knockout extra strength
Knockout Area Treatment is an aerosol spray that contains nylar insect growth regulator.   One canister will treat up to 2100 sq.ft.

Collars - Help provide long term protection against fleas but are not usually effective in controlling fleas by themselves.   Flea collars should always be used in conjunction with additional products.  Collars should fit snugly around the neck.   One finger should fit easily between the collar and the neck.   Collars must make contact with the skin to work.  I recommend Preventics for ticks but I do not recommend and flea collars. 

Preventic Collar for DOGS
This is the best product on the market for preventing and killing ticks on dogs.   This collar is for DOGS ONLY.  This collar kills ticks only.  The chemical in this collar is Amitraz and is NOT safe for cats.  This collar will prevent ticks on dogs for 3 months.  Be sure to apply it snugly around the neck as it must make contact with the skin to be effective.

Dips - Dips work by killing the adult flea very much like shampoos.  Once again,  they have little to no residual effect and the pet will become re-infested immediately after the dip dries ( read the label to see if there is any residual activity).  The chemicals in dips are much stronger than what are found in shampoos and sprays so be sure to read the label to see how often the product can be used.  Also, most dips are too strong to be used on cats and kittens.  Check the label to make sure the dip says it is safe for cats and kittens.

Foggers - These are very effective if the label is followed.  They are ineffective if you do not use enough bombs to cover the appropriate square footage.  Never re-enter the area before the recommended time.  Never let your pet get exposed to the aerosol.  Pets must be removed from the premises before use.

Foams - Foams are used topically in cats. Cats really dislike the sound of a spray so it is easier to apply a foam and massage in.  Most foams have a residual effect of 3 to 14 days and some are safe for kittens.

Ecto-foam
This was a great product but it is not longer on the market and at this time, I know of no other product to replace it with.   This foam lasted for up to 8 days. It was safe for kittens only 2 weeks old.  It can also be used on dogs with sensitive skin.  Ecto-foam kills fleas and ticks.

Oral Medications - These products are taken on a monthly basis and take up to 6 weeks to get a visible response.  This is due to waiting for the adult fleas to die out from the environment.  These products work by preventing flea eggs from hatching. i.e... no babies, no adults, no fleas.  These products are very good and effective but must be given on a regular monthly basis to be effective.  It is best to use an adulticide (kills adult fleas) spray or spot-on while waiting for the oral flea control medications to take effect.

Sentinel Flavor Tabs for Dogs
This is the most complete flea prevention on the market.  Three benefits in 1 monthly tablet: prevents heartworms, prevents fleas, prevents intestinal worms (hooks, whips and rounds). Sentinel is a combination of Milbemycin which is in Interceptor and Lufenuron which is in Program.  Sold in 6 month supplies.

Shampoos - shampoos with insecticides are great for ridding the animal of the burden of adult fleas while cleaning the animal.  Shampoos usually have no residual effect (lasting) therefore, the minute the pet is finished with the bath, they will get re-invested with fleas!   Therefore, shampoos are great but need to be used with other forms of flea control products.

Spot-Ons - These are some of the newer products that work great!  These work better in my opinion) than any other product ever marketed.  These products are sold in packets that contain 3 or 4 individual applications.  The dose of these products is according to your pets weight. There are spot-ons available for dogs and cats. Most of these products will prevent fleas for a minimum of one month and some will also prevent ticks.  Some of these products claim to be better than others because they are waterproof but they all work great!  Revolution is a bit more expensive, but since it handles more parasites, this is my recommended choice of the category. 

Revolution
This is the state of the art in parasite prevention for your dogs and/or cats.  With this product, fleas, heartworms, ear mites, sarcoptic mange,  and ticks can all be eliminated with one simple spot treatment each month to the back of the your pet's neck.  This is about as easy as it gets.  It dries quickly, is waterfast, and is safe for puppies and kittens at least 6 weeks of age.  Highly recommended, this is great stuff!

Revolution comes in 6 sizes.

Special from Pfizer-- Get a free Revolution CD-ROM plus up to $75 savings in offers for your pet.  CD features an interactive trivia game, pet screensavers and heartwarming stories along with valuable information about caring for your pet.  Send in form (sent with order) with receipt and receive CD free with any 3 dose purchase.

Frontline Top Spot
Frontline Top Spot is a spot on that is BETTER THAN ADVANTAGE!  Kills FLEAS and TICKS!  LASTS up to 45 days!  WATERPROOF! SAFE for dogs and cats!  Controls fleas for up to 3 months and ticks for up to 1 month.  Effective even after swimming and bathing.

3 doses per package for topical application.

*Dogs over 132lbs will need to order additional packets to cover their weight.  For example a 100lbs dog would need 1 Purple and 1 Orange to equal 1 application.

Advantage
Once a month topical flea treatment for dogs and cats.  Safe for puppies and kittens 7 weeks and older.  This product will wash off if soap less shampoo is not used.   Swimming does not affect too adversely.

Sprays for animals - Most flea sprays kill on contact.  There is a new generation of sprays that have growth inhibitors that prevent maturation of the flea egg and therefore have residual activity against fleas.  Most sprays must be used daily.  Sprays are great for protecting your pet when they are going in to a highly infested flea &/or tick area.

Frontline Spray
Kills FLEAS and TICKS just like Topspot but more economical for multi-pet households. One 250 ml bottle will treat up to 5 large dogs when applied according to label instructions. (*Wear gloves when applying)

Davis Flea & Tick Mist with Sunscreen
Kills fleas, lice and ticks on dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, horses and foals.  Has soothing aloe, lanolin and sunscreen.

FlyPel with Sunscreen
Insecticide spray for horses. Protects continuously against biting and nuisance insects, ticks, mosquitoes and gnats.  Contains sunscreen.  Contains silicone to give the coat a glossy shine.

Sprays for the Yard - These normally contain a growth inhibitor that will keep fleas from maturing thereby having great residual effect!  Keep in mind that these may need re-applying after rain.

Mosquito Barrier #10390 Listed under Flea Products

Mosquito Barrier kills and chases mosquitoes, ticks and fleas out of your yard and away from your house immediately upon spraying and keeps them out for up to 4 weeks and longer. (Occasionally two sprayings are sufficient for an entire summer). Odor disappears in about 30 minutes. Mosquito Barrier is a very strong Liquid Garlic that is diluted in water and sprayed on grass, shrubs, flowers and into any trees in the area. One gallon covers 5 acres (or, covers 1 acre 5 times) and is all natural with no harmful chemicals or poisons. Safe for children, pets and plants.  
 

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