First of all, there are several species of flea, and the species we’ll be primarily concerned with in this article is the common cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). The cat flea will bite cats, dogs, and humans while looking for a blood meal. While there isn’t an easy way to identify the difference between a cat flea a dog flea (C. canis) or a human flea (Pulex irritans), the latter two are far less common than the cat flea. So for the purpose of keeping this article short we’ll focus mainly on the life cycle, behavior, and control of the cat flea. Getting rid of dog fleas and getting rid of human fleas are entirely different subjects.
Getting rid of cat fleas requires an understanding of the flea’s life cycle and behavior. Contrary to popular belief, fleas spend a considerable amount of time hiding in your pet’s bedding, your carpets, or pretty much anywhere they can find suitable shelter. They lay their eggs which then turn into larvae, who then feed on the excrement of the adult fleas and other organic material like your pet’s dander (dead skin). Once the larvae has fed enough, it forms into a pupa which takes around two or three weeks to become an adult flea. Temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees F and higher relative humidity (75%+) will speed up the flea’s life cycle considerably, allowing an adult female cat flea to lay about 20–25 eggs a day (800+ in a typical female flea’s adult life). Knowing these facts we can then explain to you some of the traditional methods of flea control and why they work.
Controlling Fleas
flea shampooThe first treatment you will want to try to get rid of fleas immediately is a bath in soap and water. Soap in lukewarm water acts as an insecticide, actually. In fact, they are technically referred to within the gardening and pest control industries as “insecticidal soaps.” Some people have come to believe (for whatever reason) that bathing your pet as a means of flea control is ineffective. This isn’t true; the fatty acids in soaps will kill fleas just as fast as any synthetic insecticide. However, you should not rely entirely on baths to control fleas, especially if you’re dealing with puppies and kittens.
flea dipsFlea dips are your next step to get rid of fleas after a bath in soap and warm water. Many dips use an active ingredient called pyrethrins. Pyrethrins are the active ingredient found in the natural insecticide, Pyrethrum. Pyrethrins are only different because they an extract, or a concentrated form of pyrethrum. They are considered one of the most effective and least toxic insecticides on the market, which explains their extensive use in pet flea control products, with the exception of flea products for cats; cats are extremely sensitive to pyrethrins. Pyrethrin-based flea dips, on the other hand, are also convenient because they quickly cover the entire pet. Adam’s makes a good Pyrethrin-based flea dip.
linalool limoneneIf a flea dip isn’t effective at getting rid of fleas or you prefer not to use pyrethrins, you may want to consider a linalool/d-limonene spray. Linalool and d-limonene are extracts from citrus peels, and they happen to be very effective insecticidal flea treatments. They are mostly sold in sprays, and as I mentioned in the sidebar to the left, products that contain both linalool and d-limonene will kill fleas in all stages of development, including the eggs. These sprays should be applied to the whole animal, but try to keep it out of their eyes, nose, and mouth. You may also use linalool/d-limonene products as bedding treatments to kill any larva, pupa, eggs, or adult fleas hiding in your pet’s bedding.
Sevin dustCarbaryl and Malathion dusts are just as effective at getting rid of fleas as flea sprays are. Carbaryl is actually the insecticide of choice when treating cats for fleas because cats tend to be less sensitive to Carbaryl-based products. You can also purchase carbaryl, sold most commonly as Sevin, from a garden supply store on the cheap. Malathion can be purchased the same way, but malathion doesn’t kill adult fleas like carbaryl, pyrethrins or limonene. Malathion is a insect growth inhibitor, which stops fleas from either reaching the pupal stage or developing beyond it. Make sure to brush your pet well—clipping any matted hair during the process—before working the dust into the coat as thoroughly as possible.
diatomaceous earthAn absorptive dust like food grade diatomaceous earth would be your final follow up treatment to both kill fleas and prevent recurrent infestations. Diatomaceous earth in powder form is a natural micro-abrasive dust that actually scratches the exoskeleton/outer cuticles of the flea, which results in the dehydration and eventual death of the flea. In fact, once this dust is worked into the coat of your pet, you may notice fleas stumbling out from beneath the fur and dying right there in front of you. Diatomaceous earth is an amazingly safe and effective flea control dust that can be purchased cheaply from almost any gardening supply store. It may also be used to dust your pet’s bedding to kill fleas and prevent fleas from taking refuge there again.
Choosing the Right Flea Treatment
What you need to take into consideration when choosing the right flea control treatment is the type of pet and your pet’s age. Puppies and kittens should not be given dips or oral flea treatment medicine without first consulting your veterinarian. Most of these treatments are not registered for use on pets less than 4 months old. Below are some very basic rules for deciding which flea treatment is best for your pet.
If you have a puppy or a kitten less than two months old, I strongly encourage you to see a veterinarian immediately because of the risks associated with flea infestations in very young pets.
If you have a puppy or kitten that is three months or older, it’s a good idea to use a flea spray or powder that is labeled for use on puppies or kittens of a certain weight. Advantage flea control products are an excellent name brand that labels all of their products with a weight threshold, allowing you to choose the right strength for your pet. The same goes for Frontline Flea control products, which are labeled for 2 puppies and kittens two months or older.
If you have an adult cat, you will want to stay away from any oral flea treatment. None are registered for use with cats. If your cat is good about dips and baths (most are not), you can try bathing them with a carbaryl-based flea control product. If your cat is not good about baths, then a carbaryl-based (Sevin) flea powder or a Fipronil-based flea spray are your next best choices.
If you have an adult dog, most any flea dip will do the trick. Dogs are less sensitive (in most cases) to insecticides than cats, so any product based on pyrethrins, carbaryl, or even pyrethroids should do the trick. Just make sure you shampoo your dog with an non-medicated soap before applying a flea shampoo.
Stay away from flea collars, they’re ineffective and dangerous.
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