Adams™ Flea & Tick Products
Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply the Adams™ products?
Adams Flea & Tick is an extensive line of products specifically designed to treat your cat or dog for fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and several other pests listed on the package label. Always read the entire product label before each use. It is a violation of federal law to use any Adams product in a manner that is inconsistent with its labeling.

Flea & Tick Mists: Cover animal’s eyes with hand, and with a firm, fast stroke to get a proper spray mist, spray head, ears and chest until damp. With fingertips, rub into face around mouth, nose and eyes. Then spray neck, middle and hindquarters, finishing legs last. For best penetration of the spray to the skin, direct spray against the natural layer of the hair. On long-haired dogs and cats, run your hand against the lay of the hair, spraying the ruffled hair directly behind the hand. Make sure spray thoroughly wets ticks. Repeat every 9 days.

Shampoos: Thoroughly soak animal with warm water taking 2-3 minutes to wet hair. Apply on head and ears and lather, then repeat procedure with neck, chest, middle and hindquarters, finishing legs last. Let animal stand 3-5 minutes (this is an important part of the grooming procedure), then rinse animal thoroughly. Repeat every 2 weeks. For extremely dirty or scaly animals, the above procedure may be repeated.

Pyrethrin Dip: SHAKE PRODUCT WELL BEFORE EACH USE. DOGS AND CATS: To kill fleas, ticks, and lice thoroughly mix ½ oz. (1 tablespoon) of Adams PYRETHRIN DIP with one gallon of warm water. For outdoor animals in areas of severe infestations, 2 oz. (4 tablespoons) per gallon may be used. Make fresh solution daily. If animal’s coat is very dirty, bathe first with an Adams shampoo. Dip should be applied to dry or damp (not wet) coat. Sponge or dip animal with diluted Adams PYRETHRIN DIP making sure all areas are soaked to the skin. Let drip dry on animal. Do not rinse off. Repeat treatment every 7 days if necessary.

Flea & Tick Collars: Place collar around pet’s neck, adjust for fit, and buckle in place. The collar must be worn loosely to allow for growth of the pet and to permit the collar to move about the neck. Generally, a properly fitted collar is one that, when fastened, will snugly slide over pet’s head. Leave 2 or 3 inches for extra adjustment. Cut off and dispose of excess length. Wash hands after installing collar on pet. Under normal conditions, replace collar every 6 months. Under conditions of severe infestation and where continued rapid kill is desired, collar may be replaced more often.

Carpet Spray: Do not allow children or pets to come in contact with treated surfaces until spray has dried.
INDOORS: Thoroughly vacuum all carpeting, upholstered furniture, drapes along baseboards, under furniture and in closets. Seal vacuum bag and dispose of in outdoor trash. Spray from a distance of two to three feet from surface being treated. Apply with a smooth back-and-forth motion to carpets, drapes, rugs and upholstered furniture. Avoid wetting or saturating carpets or furniture. An evenly applied fine mist spray is sufficient. Do not spray wood furniture, floors or trim as water spotting may occur. Repeat treatment as necessary to eliminate fleas and ticks. Apply directly to exposed insects: roaches, ants, spiders, crickets, centipedes, waterbugs, silverfish and sowbugs.

PET BEDDING: Treat pet bedding and resting places. Apply a uniform spray to nearby cracks and crevices, along baseboards, window and door sills and localized areas where fleas, ticks or lice may be present as these are primary hiding places for these pests. Removal and replacement of pet bedding after treatment is not necessary.

What is the difference between mists and shampoos?
Adams mists differ from shampoos because they are designed to be used on the pet itself or as a premise control product. Adams mists can be used as a complement to your pet’s regular flea and tick control maintenance program. Mists can be applied directly onto the animal as well as treating pet bedding, carpet, and upholstery to kill and temporarily repel fleas, ticks, lice and mosquitoes. Shampoos are gentle formulas that allow pet owners to cleanse and deodorize and add luster to your pet’s coat while killing fleas, flea eggs, ticks and lice.

 What type of results can I expect to see?
Each Adams product treats for specific problems. It’s best to choose which product best fits your pet’s needs. In general, most Adams Flea & Tick products kill fleas, ticks, lice and mosquitoes and will continue working for up to 3-4 weeks.

 Is it safe for cats and dogs?
It is always important to follow package directions before applying any flea & tick product to your pet. Most Adams products are safe to use for both cats and dogs. PERMETHRIN BASED PRODUCTS SHOULD NEVER BE USED ON CATS AS THEY ARE SENSITIVE TO THIS COMPOUND. It is not recommended to use any pesticide on kittens or puppies under 12 weeks of age. Always consult a veterinarian before using any product on debilitated, aged, pregnant or nursing animals or animals on medication.

How do I use multiple products of Adams?
With over 30 different product items in the Adams product line, there are numerous combinations that the products can be used for. Some of the most common combinations include:

Dips/Shampoos/Sprays: For severe infestation problems, dips are commonly used to provide instant, short-term control. Shampoos are used to cleanse and fight infestation problems, provide instant, short-term control while also acting as a grooming agent. Adams shampoos provide such grooming benefits as detangling and adding luster and a fresh scent to your pet’s coat. Sprays also offer a quick knock down effect and, like the dips and shampoos, other products can be used in conjunction to help combat an infestation problem until the problem is under control. Generally, collars and spot-ons can be applied after bathing or dipping to provide longer residual control.

Flea & Tick Collars, Spot-Ons and Dust: Offer residual, longer lasting control. Flea & tick collars and spot-on’s can be used after bathing or dipping an animal. Always follow package labeling instructions when applying to animal.

Indoor and Outdoor Sprays and Foggers: Provide premise control. If experiencing an infestation, it is sometimes necessary to treat the yard and house to prevent accidental re-infestation. Always follow label and package directions before use.

Never use any Adams product in any manner that is inconsistent with the package labeling. Always consult a veterinarian before using any product on debilitated, aged, pregnant or nursing animals or animals on medication.

How often do I need to reapply the product(s)?
The duration of the products effectiveness varies from product to product. Always read labels carefully and follow label instructions before reapplying.

What do I apply the product for?
Most of the Adams products kill and prevent fleas, ticks, lice and mosquitoes. Products can be applied as a preventive or as a maintenance program. Repeat applications may be necessary to treat severe infestations. It may be necessary to wait before reapplying. Always refer to the product label before reapplication.

How do I know that the product is safe for use on my dog or cat?
All of the Adams products are EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved as well as registered in each state. Each product has to go through extensive testing before being approved by the EPA. All products must be kept current and registered by this agency.