Cats have an innate ability to play, fight and sleep in the perfect flea infested areas. Fleas can be found under houses or in abandoned structures where they are waiting. These parasites simply hitch a ride back to your home and there, they multiply. Dog and cat health can be compromised by fleas and protecting them is vital in the relentless battle against the parasites. Your techniques to combat cat fleas are similar tactics used on your home and yard. As with home and yard protection, basic cleaning is a solid foundation to launch your attack.
Flea combs – A flea comb is the best tool to remove adult fleas from cat fur. Combing has many advantages. It can remove adult fleas, thereby reducing insecticide requirements. Two, when combined with an alcohol or soap solution, can kill adult fleas upon contact. Adult fleas love thick fur, so they tend to accumulate near the neck, face and front of the head.
Solutions – Shampoo can be used to chemically exterminate unwanted intruders. Soapy shampoo can be used to subdue light infestations. Allow shampoo to soak for 5-10 minutes before washing.
IGRs – These are available as pills, sprays, spot-ons, or pills. IGRs target larvae and egg development. IGR’s cause of death is that adult fleas become incapable of reproducing. Eggs die before hatching and larvae are killed before maturation. Only the adult fleas survive the IGR’s effects are the problem. To resolve this problem, IGR’s are often coupled with a mild insecticide to kill the adult fleas. Outdoor cat enclosures
Enclosure – Dog and cat enclosures allow you to choose where the animal wanders once it leaves the safety of the home. Dog and cat cages, or enclosures, are often built out to sunny spots where fleas are less likely to thrive. It is important to provide shade but keep the area dry. Parasites thrive in moist areas. You can reduce the likelihood of your pet getting fleas by keeping them out of your yard.
There are many flea-killing products. Amongst acronyms, such as IGR’s, and chemistry jargon like pyriproxyfen that only a scientist can understand, how do you sort out what does what? You don’t have to worry, I have done all the work for you. All you need to do is to read. This article is broken into three brief, concise chapters. Chapter I will provide a brief overview of the flea life cycle and how to kill them. Chapter II and Chapter III list how to protect your house, garden, and pet from flea infestation. You will find a link at the end to the specific products you need to eliminate these parasites from your house. For now, we start with an astonishing fact, how many eggs did you say fleas lay?