Dog Flea Control

Dog fleas are a common problem around the UK. Itching discomfort, coupled with a biting instinct directed at areas such as the head, neck, and around the tail are the first symptoms of dog flea infestation. Not only are they an irritating nuisance, dog fleas also pose as a serious health risk to your animal, as they cause skin problems and infections. Reddish inflammations on the skin can result from the constant scratching and biting. In extreme cases, they even cause anemia as fleas can act as a conduit for tapeworms. Dealing with a flea infestation is essential to keep your pet and your home risk-free.

When your dog is suffering from a flea infestation, you may find flea dirt on your pet's skin, on its bedding, or in other areas around the household. This will normally be a combination of dried blood and flea debris and will appear like black specks on your dog’s coat. You can check your dog’s fur by combing the surface carefully and if you see tiny black insects scurrying for cover, this is a sure sign of flea infestation. Adult female fleas lay up to five hundred eggs each and can become a serious problem in a short amount of time, so controlling them early is essential to maintain your pet’s health as well as the hygiene of your home.

When you have a flea infestation, it is not enough to simply get rid of adult fleas. You need to control the eggs and the larvae as well. Vacuum regularly to get rid of eggs and larvae embedded in carpets and on the floors. Vacuum the furniture, cushions, beds, cupboards, and mattresses regularly. Washing in hot water and steaming the bedding or animal blankets will help to kill the parasites and eggs that are clinging to the material. As for your pets, chemically-based flea control products abound, from dips to sprays to powders. Such products allow for you to have an at-home treatment for flea infestations.

If all else fails, you would be well advised to consult a pest control professional who will know the right treatment to pursue and give you sound advice as to how to get rid of the particular infestation that you and your pet are suffering from. This is useful for any pet owner to know because dog fleas are a recurring problem that should be kept on top of with a consistent use of prevention products as well as following the advice from professional pest controllers.