| The
battle to rid pets and homes of fleas and
ticks has become an all-out war. With 62
percent of households owning pets - 68
million dogs and 73 million cats in the
U.S. - it's no wonder that it sometimes
seems like a losing battle. Even the most
diligent pet owner can't eliminate the
risk of fleas or ticks, and when preventive
methods fail, it's time to fight back.
Fighting
on Several Fronts
Putting a stop to a flea or tick infestation requires treating the pet
itself, home, yard and sometimes the car. Simply eliminating adult fleas
and ticks from a pet may not be sufficient because eggs and larvae may
be hiding in carpeting, bedding, upholstery and in cracks in doors, windows
and floors. The maturation process may take months, so thoroughness and
perseverance are key to effectively eliminating fleas and ticks.
Choosing
Your Weapons
Products that aid in flea and tick control come in many forms, including
shampoos, spot-ons, sprays, wipes, dips, collars, foggers and dusts.
Some act as repellents; some kill adult fleas and ticks; and some attack
the immature fleas, preventing them from developing into adults that
reproduce and continue the life cycle. Some products do all three. To
select the best product, always read the label carefully, follow directions
exactly, and never use products intended only for dogs on cats. Flea
and tick control products are regulated by the Environmental Protection
Agency and are available through pet supply stores and catalogs, over
the Internet and through veterinarians.
An
Effective Arsenal
Adulticides are compounds that kill and repel adult fleas, ticks and
other insects. Pyrethrins, extracted from the flowers of Chrysanthamums,
and permethrin, a synthetic form of pyrethrin, are among the most effective
and commonly used adulticides. However, permethrin CANNOT be used on
cats and is not found in cat-specific products. Insect growth regulators
(IGRs), such as Nylar®, mimic a naturally occurring insect hormone
that interferes with normal flea development, preventing immature pests
from becoming adults that reproduce and continue the life cycle.
Products
such as Bio Spot® Spot-On Flea & Tick
Control for Dogs and Adams™ Flea & Tick
Mist with Sykillstop® contain
both an adulticide and an IGR. They
repel and kill adult fleas, ticks and
mosquitoes and also eliminate flea
eggs and larvae. Bio Spot® Stripe-On® Flea
Control for Cats & Ferrets contains
IGR plus Flea Halt!™ towelettes
that control adult fleas. Other on-animal
treatment options include flea and
tick shampoos, mist-on sprays, dusts,
dips and collars.
To
assure the effectiveness of spot-on
flea control products, it is important
not to wash them off when shampooing
the pet. Bio Guard® is a gentle,
water-based pet shampoo specially formulated
so as not to wash out spot-on flea
control products.
For
a comprehensive approach to eliminating
pests, Adams™ carries a broad
line of products to treat the premises
as well. Adams' carpet powder, carpet
spray and room fogger all kill adult
fleas, ticks and other pests and contain
an IGR to kill flea eggs and larvae.
Adams Yard Spray concentrate is used
with a hose-end sprayer to kill pests
in yards.
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