During warmer weather flea infestations become more apparent and tick populations increase. Flea and tick eggs hatch faster in warmer weather and those that have been lying dormant will hatch when the conditions are right. This means it’s that time of year for pet owners to be especially vigilant in prevention of fleas and ticks on their pets. Fleas - stop them before they start Research shows that the vast majority of Australian pet owners only treat for fleas when they can see them on their pets. But this is like only brushing your teeth when you have holes. Unfortunately, the adult fleas you see on your pets are the tip of the iceberg. They represent only 5 per cent of the total flea population. Ninety five percent of the problem can be found in your pet’s environment as eggs, larvae and pupae. The flea life cycle starts with eggs- they constitute half of the total ‘population’. The eggs become larvae, which emerge into pupae before finally emerging as adult fleas. When humidity levels and temperatures rise conditions are perfect for eggs to hatch and larvae to develop. Working towards being flea-free •Vacuum your home regularly to get rid of eggs and stimulate fleas to emerge. Remember to clean your upholstery too. •Regularly wash your pet’s blankets and bedding in hot water (>60°C for 10 minutes). This will kill fleas at any stage in their life cycle. Also expose clean bedding to direct sunlight. •It may be impolite, but don’t let friends’ untreated pets inside your home. •Don’t let your pets get under your house – fleas thrive in moist, shady places. •Don’t leave compost or debris in moist shady areas in your yard. These are some helpful basics- but to effectively break the flea life cycle you need to treat all of your pets every month, all year round with FRONTLINE PLUS®. It contains two active ingredients; one that kills adult fleas and another that kills flea eggs and stops larval and pupal development. This combined with the above tips is the best you can do for your dog or cat. Helping your pets to be itch-free and happy will be worth your efforts! Tackling ticks The paralysis tick is a deadly enemy of both dogs and cats. Ticks are more active in the warmer months, so now is the time to take extra care protecting your pet from them. •Keep your dog or cat away from known tick habitats. This also means cleaning up damp debris composting in your yard. •Search your pet for ticks every day using your fingertips to feel through the coat. Make sure you cover the whole coat and don’t forget skin folds, around the lips, ears and between the toes. •If you find a tick, remove it straight away and contact your veterinarian. Ask your veterinarian for advice on tick searching and removal techniques if unsure. •Treat for ticks. For paralyisis tick control on dogs, FRONTLINE PLUS® should be used every 2 weeks. For paralysis tick control on cats, use FRONTLINE® SPRAY every 3 weeks. Always read the label instructions. •The paralysis tick is found on the eastern seaboard, from north Queensland all the way down to Victoria. Ask your veterinarian if you are living in, or travelling to, a paralysis tick area.
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During warmer weather flea infestations become more apparent and tick populations increase. Flea and tick eggs hatch faster in warmer weather and those that have been lying dormant will hatch when the conditions are right. This means it’s that time of year for pet owners to be especially vigilant in prevention of fleas and ticks on their pets.
Reg Davidson is the author of this article on Frontline. Find more information about Frontline here.
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