FLEA CONTROL & WHAT’S NEW FAST FACTS

Flea life cycle: Control is a challenge since a large portion of the flea life cycle is not the adult flea rather it is the eggs, pupa, and larva that live off the pet. Ideal flea control programs target the various stages of the life cycle not just the adult on the pet.

1. Eggs are laid on the hair coat and fall off of the host. They are resistant to insecticides, but are sensitive to products called insect growth regulators(IGR’s).
2. Larvae develop in the environment, and feed on the flea poop(dried blood that you find on the skin or trapped in the flea comb when checking your pet). The are sensitive to insecticides, borates, and insect growth regulators.
3. Larvae spin cocoons(pupal stage) within the carpet fibers. The pupa are resistant to insecticides, dessication with boric acid, and freezing. They can lie dormant for 3 to 6 months(think problems in vacation homes with pets visiting). They will emerge into adults with vibrations of carpeting(walking into room), warmer temperatures, and rising CO2 levels(breathing).
4. Adults like to emerge when a dog, cat or human(mammals) are around within seconds. They are mobile and can live a few days in the house. Once they bite a pet to have a blood meal , they have a short lifespan if they fall off the pet. Most fleas do NOT survive over 3 days on a pet due to biting and scratching by the animal. Then entire life cycle can take as little as 16 days.

Flea control means treating the environment when infested with flea busters powders, Knock-out spray or professional exterminators

Current products on the market:

Timeline of flea control products: Veterinary line

Program (Lufenuron), anti-flea immature stage once a month  oral pill- 1994

Frontline (Fipronil) & Advantage (imidacloprid) topical (anti-adult flea) topical once a month (can be washed off by bathing) The spray formula of Frontline seems less likely to be washed off. Note frontline plus contains the insect growth regular ,S-methoprene to control of eggs and adult fleas on pets 8 weeks of age and older. Advantage can be started at 7 weeks in puppies and 8 weeks in kittens, frontline at 8 weeks of age. Advantage takes 24 hours to work, frontline takes 42 hours to zero fleas counted  1996

Revolution(Selamectin)(anti-adult flea topical) starting at 6 weeks of a pets age,42 hours til no fleas counted post application , not as likely to be washed off  – 1999

Capstar-oral adult flea pill that can be given daily as needed 2001

OTC products

• Flea collars have limited efficacy due to amount of fur on many pets
• Flea shampoos have no residual activity once the flea shampoo is rinsed away
• Natural botanicals often contain essential oils that are highly concentrated botanical compounds. Both Sassafras and Pennyroyal oil have some efficacy as does neem seed. However they have been associated with topical skin reactions, liver insult, and seizures.
• Environmental products: diatomaceous earth(watch vacuuming or inhalation of dust), pyrethrins (dermal and respiratory irritation in high doses) , and boric acid. These are consider herbals(not drugs) thus no safety and efficacy studies are performed as is required for the FDA approved products.

• Convenient topical treatment with consumer friendly applicator
• Remains effective after bathing or swimming
• Kills 96% of fleas in 6 hours
• Repells and kills 4 types of ticks
• Repells and kills 3 types of mosquitos
• Prevents developement of fleas, eggs, larvae, pupae
• Can be used on dogs and puppies 7 weeks old and older

Promeris (Metaflumizone) topical anti-adult flea  )- in the dog formulation also contains amitraz for 4 types of tick control. Prelim data suggests may be helpful to treat demodex although not currently labeled for such use.

FOCUS POINTS OF THIS NEW PRODUCT:  

• Totally new method of action
• Waterproof, i.e. keeps working after bathing or frequently bathing of allergy patients
• Useful in dogs and cats over 8 weeks of age
• Although labeled for up to 6 weeks of flea control in pets, I would use it monthly.
• It is FDA approved by veterinary prescription only

(Summary of use: pets with no tick problems with flea exposure concerns, young children in house wanting to avoid any topical products, those swimming or having frequent shampooing, and those with severe flea allergy dermatitis).

Comfortis pill(spinosad) -oral anti-adult flea  once a month

FOCUS POINTS OF THIS NEW PRODUCT

• 5 sizes for dogs
• Chewable beef flavored tablets (pork based) thus can use in pets sensitive to beef
• May give with food
• If vomiting occurs within 1 hour of administration, repeat treatment in 24 hours (notify your veterinarian)
• Not approved or tested for breeding animals
• Approved for use in dogs and cats 14 weeks of age and older. 
• Starts killing of fleas within 30 minutes of administration and is 100% efficacious within 4 hours.
• Gives 30 days of adult flea control
• Available only through veterinarians.
• ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly. Has been awarded a Presidential GREEN Chemistry Challenge award in 1999 from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.
•  If ticks are an issue, combine with the topical product ex. Frontline, for 3 months of use.

When your flea control products fail, discuss the following questions with your veterinarian.

1. Was the topical flea product applied to the skin not the hair?
2. Is the flea product application being split between 2 pets to cut costs?
3. Is your pet's environment shared with wildlife?
4. Are all pets in the household being treated with flea preventative?
5. How many applications of the product have been applied? And has each application been made one month after the last?
6. How often are the pets bathed or go swimming?
7. What has the minimum household temperature been? Keep in mind with 80 degrees and 80% humidity is when fleas thrive.

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