Prevent fleas from causing chaos in your home this fall
Fleas are a year-round threat to your pets, but fall is particularly troublesome. Fleas thrive when temperatures remain around 70 degrees. As a result, veterinarians see a dramatic increase of pets with fleas in the fall.
Fleas often find their way inside homes by hitching a ride on a pet's warm fur. Piles of fallen autumn leaves may be fun for kids to jump in, but they also create humid conditions out of direct sunlight - just what fleas are looking for.
Fleas also group in areas outdoors where pets eat or sleep, content to wait for a "ride" indoors. If food is left out overnight, raccoons might bring fleas to the area as they enjoy a midnight snack.
Most fleas find their way indoors by way of a pet, but it isn't the only way. Fleas can move into homes by way of people, too - on furniture, clothing and even skin.
Once inside homes, fleas multiply rapidly. Female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs every day. Eggs hatch into larvae within several days and then become pupae when appropriate conditions are available - anywhere from a week or two to as long as six months.
Hatching into adult fleas can be encouraged by temperatures around 70 degrees, changes in light or vibrations caused by anything from vacuuming to a possible food source walking by.
Once adults are hatched, they begin looking for a food source (yours or your pet's blood). Adult females quickly lay more eggs and the population increases exponentially. It is easy to see how just a couple of fleas can start a full-scale home invasion.
Prevent fleas from causing chaos in your home this fall by making sure your pet is protected with an appropriate flea prevention medication. There are topical medications that can be applied to your pet's skin and pills that can be taken orally. Your veterinarian can recommend the best type of medication to prevent fleas from treating your pet like a taxicab.
Regularly inspect your pet for fleas. Fleas are tiny, but you may see them move quickly across your dog's skin. You may also find flea dirt (flea poop) on his fur. A flea comb can be used to comb through your dog's fur to reveal hidden fleas.
If you do spot fleas on your pet, call your veterinarian for treatment options. If you have more than one pet, treat them all at the same time.
Back at home, begin by vacuuming every surface - floors and furniture - to suck up as many adult fleas and eggs as possible. Get rid of the vacuum cleaner bag (sealed in a plastic garbage bag) immediately after so none of them can find their way out and back into the home.
Wash, or just throw away, your pet's bedding and any other blankets on which he sleeps. Do the same with any of his soft toys.
There are flea sprays and foggers available. Be sure to follow the directions on the label to use them safely and effectively. If your flea infestation is extreme, call a professional exterminator.
Flea infestations are not easy to eradicate and can take as long as three months or more. Do your best to prevent them and take action as soon as you notice them so that you will be sharing cozy, winter nights in front of a fire with your pet, not fleas.
• Diana Stoll is the Practice Manager at Red Barn Animal Hospital with locations in Hampshire and Gilberts. Visit redbarnpetvet.com, or call (847) 683-4788 (Hampshire) or (847) 426-1000 (Gilberts).