Beyondfleas.com » Miscellaneous Information

Flea Control Resources

Travis McGee — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:29:04 +0000

Here are some additional resources you might find useful in your battle against fleas. If you have any suggestions, please add them in the comments at the bottom of this page.

Integrated Flea Control
Good information on the flea life cycle, and various flea control products that are available, from the University of Nebraska.

Smarter Flea Control
A good summary of flea control methods and products from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.

Russian Academy of Sciences
Tons of scientific information on fleas from the Laboratory of Parasitology, Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences.

Life Cycle of the Flea
Even more in depth information on the flea life cycle.

The Flea Life Cycle
Additional information on the flea life cycle and behavior, with photographs.

The Life Cycle of the Flea

Travis McGee — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:52:52 +0000

Why Understanding the Flea Life Cycle is Critical to Flea Control

During each of the four stages of the flea life cycle, fleas are resistant to different chemicals. For best results at killing fleas in all stages, use products that contain an insecticide as well as an insect growth regulator, such as the Knockout or Siphotrol sprays available from Entirely Pets.

Flea eggs

Eggs are laid on your pet, in the hair coat, and then fall off in your house when your pet comes inside. Flea eggs are resistant to most insecticides, but can be controlled with growth inhibitors. In the home, another effective way to eliminate flea eggs is with intensive cleaning and vacuuming. See our page on home flea control for more information.

Flea larva

Flea larva develop inside your home and feed on flea excrement that fall out of your pet’s hair. Larva can be controlled with insecticides, borates and growth inhibitors.

Flea pupa

Flea pupa develop from the larvae, after the larva have spun cocoons for pupation. Pupa are very resistant to chemicals and harsh environmental factors. They can also lie dormant for many months before they emerge as adult fleas.

Adult fleas

Adult fleas usually emerge from the pupae when a host pet is around. They are very mobile, but can only survive a few days without a host, or if they are dislodged from their host.

As you can see, fleas at different stages of their life cycle are resistant to certain flea control methods. For this reason, it’s important to attack all stages of the flea life cycle with different methods and products.

Flea Bites on Humans

Travis McGee — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:02:29 +0000

How to Treat Bites and Eliminate the Fleas

All of us have experienced itchy insect bites at some point in our lives, and the experience can range from mildly annoying to totally maddening. Having either your pet or your home infested with fleas can lead to dozens of irritating flea bites on the owner.

What makes them itch?

The red, itchy bumps that result from a flea bite are the result of an allergic reaction to the flea’s saliva, which contains an anti-coagulant to thin the blood. The reaction varies from person to person, and depends on the relative allergy of the person bitten.

It’s best not to scratch

Although flea bites are relatively harmless, repeated scratching of the bite can result in secondary infections. It’s best to avoid scratching the flea bite itself, and treat the bites with something to relieve the itching.

Keep flea bites clean and treat them

Wash the flea bites with antiseptic soap to reduce the risk of infection. Frequent applications of ice can help relieve swelling and itching. Other remedies for relieving the itch caused by flea bites are calamine lotion, antiseptic creams (such as those used to treat sunburn), tea tree oil, and vinegar or rubbing alcohol rubbed on the bites with a cotton swab.

Some ways to repel fleas and prevent bites

There are also some natural, non-toxic methods to repel fleas, and prevent them from biting you. Both eucalyptus and lavender oil are said to repel fleas. You can also boil lemon peels in water, and apply when cooled.

If you don’t want flea bites, get rid of the fleas

The only effective way to prevent flea bites is to get rid of the fleas themselves. This website is designed to give you a broad understanding of flea control. For best results, be sure to treat your pets, if you have them, and your home as well. Ridding your pet of fleas won’t do any good if the eggs and larva are still in your home.