How Long Does It Take for Flea Treatment to Work?
Fleas are extremely mobile and reproduce rapidly, so taking back control and getting on top of the problem can take time. Getting rid of fleas often involves treating both your pet and your home.
Flea control products for pets come in a variety of forms including topicals, flea collars, tablets and sprays. They use various active ingredients to kill fleas, which means they all work slightly differently. The time it takes for products to kill fleas varies depending on the product used.
Imidacloprid is an active ingredient in some topicals and collars that spreads throughout your pet’s skin and coat to kill fleas through contact; this means fleas don’t have to bite your pet to be killed.1 Other flea products, such as oral flea tablets, utilize ingredients that are active in the bloodstream; while there are many effective flea treatment options, how quickly products kill fleas can vary, so it’s always best to refer to the product’s label. Reducing the chance of flea bites by killing fleas on contact, however, helps to protect your pet against discomfort and irritation.
Along with imidacloprid, some flea collars also contain flumethrin, which repels and kills ticks. Imidacloprid also kills flea larvae in the home environment — in carpets and pet bedding, for example — helping to break the flea life cycle.
Flea treatment can also come in the form of a flea shampoo, which is applied directly to your dog or cat’s coat. Although shampooing your pet might feel like an immediate solution for banishing fleas, keep in mind that it doesn’t offer long-term protection. Bathing your pet with a flea treatment shampoo kills fleas on them at the time of bathing, so they’ll be at risk of re-infestation after the shampoo has been rinsed away. Flea shampoos are a great way to kill fleas on your pet quickly, but be sure to follow your pet’s bath with a longer-term preventive flea treatment.
By the time you spot a flea on your pet, there could be a few generations of new fleas in your home. The female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, with these eggs hatching into flea larvae in your home and burrowing into carpets, sofas, your pet’s bedding and anywhere else your pet goes. After a period of time, these larvae hatch into new fleas ready to bite your pet and start the cycle all over again. Treating your home, as well as your pet, is an important part of getting on top of a flea infestation.
Once you’ve cleaned your house by vacuuming and washing bedding, use a special household flea treatment to help break the flea life cycle. These handheld sprays can help you pay particular attention to places flea eggs, larvae and pupae like to hide, such as under beds and furniture or in carpet and upholstery.
Always follow the instructions on the can and treat your home thoroughly — fleas really can get anywhere! The time it takes to remove fleas from your home will depend on the level of infestation you have. In some cases, it can take several months to get rid of them completely. Persistence is key.
During the warmer months fleas can be a particular nuisance and even harder to get rid of. Often even after treating with a suitable flea treatment you will still see flea’s on your animal. However, this does not mean that the treatment has not worked or that the fleas are immune – the reasons are fairly simple:
‘Hitch-Hiker’ Fleas: Even when treated with a suitable flea control product such a Frontline Plus, Advantage etc it is still possible for your pet to pick up new fleas from the outside environment or other animals. Flea eggs and larvae can also be brought into the home on shoes or clothing. Provided the animal has been treated correctly, these new fleas will be killed within 24hrs preventing them from laying eggs and re-establishing a population in the home.
Treated Fleas Become Hyperactive Before Death: The most common ingredient in flea treatments – fipronil – makes flea’s hyperactive before they die. This will actually make them more visible on the pet as they will come to the surface of the coat, this can also increase the irritation to the pet for a short time and make them scratch more. No flea product kills instantly – the flea has to come into contact with the insecticide, absorb it and will then start to be affected which can take up to 24hrs. No flea treatment will prevent fleas from jumping onto your dog – regardless of which treatment you chose you will still see flea’s on your pet for a period of up to 24hrs.
Fleas are hatching in your home: Generally speaking the majority of the lifecycle of the flea is spent in the environment rather than on the animal itself. Female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day. Eggs,larvae and pupae are much more numerous than adult fleas. When the temperature and humidity are right flea eggs will be constantly hatching out. New adult fleas will also constantly emerge from the pupae stage when the conditions are right. The new adult fleas will only hatch when a host animal is close by, as they need a blood meal to survive. If your pet is treated with a suitable flea control product the new adult fleas will usually be killed within 24hrs, this will help control the flea infestation as it will reduce the likelihood of the flea laying eggs and the cycle beginning anew. To get on top of the home infestation more quickly a suitable household flea spray should be used such as Frontline Homegard, Indorex etc. This kills the fleas and larvae in the environment and will prevent eggs and larvae from developing for up to 12months. Using a flea control product which contains an Insect Growth Regulator, such as Frontline Plus or Fipnil Plus, will also help treat the immediate environment (dog beds etc) but a household flea spray should still be used in order to treat areas the pet rarely visits.
Solving a flea problem can be much more difficult than many people expect. In the case of a severe flea infestation it can take several months of diligent treatment of both your animals and your home to get on top of the problem. The process can be hugely frustrating and often feels like fighting a losing battle. The old saying ‘prevention is better than cure’, is especially true in this instance – regular application of a suitable flea treatment will help prevent your home or pet becoming infested in the first place. Understanding flea treatments demonstrates the advantage of preventing infestation, rather than trying to cure it once it has taken hold.
Fleas are uncomfortable for your dog and it’s worth taking them seriously. Not only can they bite and cause infections, they can transfer tapeworms to your pets. Their ability to jump 150 times their own length, drink 15 times their own body weight, and go for 100 days between meals makes them difficult to combat, but by being proactive you can prevent infestations. A holistic plan that includes cleanliness, grooming, natural treatments, and a high-quality diet can ensure that your pet stays happy and flea-free. Pin for later:
Use food-grade diatomaceous earth around hot spots, including around pet bedding and resting areas. This natural flea control works by dehydrating insects and is non-toxic to pets. You can treat both carpets and wood floors, applying in lines around areas most frequented. For more information, read Diatomaceous Earth: Non-toxic Pest Control for Your Home and garden
Treat all your pets’ beds and resting/sleeping areas. You can even rub diatomaceous earth into your pet’s fur, but because it is a fine dust, be careful not to create lung problems for any family members who might suffer from asthma or other breathing difficulties. Additionally, avoid applying near a house fan or in windy environments.
There are now chewable forms of flea treatment that are far less hazardous, although slightly less effective, than straight-up pesticides. One of the most popular is called Comfortis, which lasts a month per dose and is prescribed by your veterinarian. The key ingredient is Spinosad, which is a natural substance that is made from a soil bacterium that has been tested heavily by the EPA for health effects.
The ideal flea environment is between 70-85°F (about 20-30°C) with a humidity of 70%. If you can, keep your home below 70°F and use a dehumidifier or air conditioner if you have trouble with humidity. A pet’s furry body provides the moist, warm home that fleas need, especially if your pet goes outside a lot and gets wet from the outdoors. Dry your pets when they come inside and run a flea comb through their fur, checking for fleas as you go.