Our Guide to Understanding Flea Treatments

If you are reading this, you are likely feeling a little itchy.

Fleas are an uncomfortable subject and many owners worry about flea treatments not working and being cursed by these insects forever.

Ultimately there are many reasons why flea treatments might be percieved as not working. To understand, lets dive into the science behind flea treaments and the complexities of the parasite themselves.

How Do Flea Treatments Work?

Not all flea treatments are made equally. It’s important to establish that the product being used is appropriate.

Killing and Repellent Products

Some pet products are designed to kill fleas, and some products are only designed as repellents.

Most killing products (Spot-Ons, Tablets) target the central nervous system of the flea. Ultimately causing organ failure, paralysis and eventually death. Dying and disoriented fleas will rise to the surface of the coat after encountering the chemical.

So, you will see more fleas after using these products. This is normal and NOT a sign that the treatment hasn’t worked.

Repellent products are only designed to prevent fleas from being attracted to your pet. These typically make blood appear unpalatable by interfering with an insect’s sense of smell. This type of product is only to be used on pets that don’t already have an infestation.

If you use an incorrect treatment (a repellent on a pet that already has fleas), it won’t be effective. Ensure the product you have used is suitable for the situation.

Natural Flea Products

Some owners use natural products (ultrasonic collars, garlic tablets, food supplements) and never see a single flea.

However, others will find these natural products are simply not working for them. If you are going down the natural route but still routinely finding fleas, it might be worth switching to a pharmaceutical approach.

Certain areas may just be hotspots for fleas, which can, unfortunately, make them harder to control with natural means.

Another thing to note about flea treatments is that not all will have a long-term effect. Some tablets are designed to be used alongside spot-on products. The tablets quickly kill adult fleas in the coat, while the spot-on provides 4-5 weeks of continuous protection.

If you just use tablets, you won’t be keeping your furry friend protected properly and will likely continue to see fleas.

Shop our Parasite Products.

If you need help finding the right product for your pet, contact us for expert advice.

Or talk to one of our Academy Trained Staff in-store. Find your local Pets Corner.

The Flea Life Cycle

Understanding the flea life cycle is key to being successful in your flea treatments.

When you think about fleas, you likely only imagine the adults (with a shudder). The other stages of the flea lifecycle are in your home and not on your pet.

Once your pet has fleas, they very quickly start multiplying, normally in a couple of days.

Now, imagine your pet is a saltshaker and the eggs are the salt. Every movement from running, walking and scratching causes flea eggs to drop onto the floor and into the house environment.

Here is the full lifecycle of this pesky parasite:

1. Adult Flea – Jumps onto pet, starts feeding, quickly starts laying eggs (up to 50 a day).
2. Eggs – these drop onto the floor and can be moved around via our socks and shoes, so you can bring eggs into every room. These hatch within a few days.
3. Larvae- These look like tiny maggots and will bury themselves deep into the carpet or cracks in floorboards. They feed on organic debris (skin flakes, dried blood, etc). They spin a sticky cocoon around themselves and become pupae within a few days to a couple of weeks.
4. Pupae- the hardest stage to kill. These reside in their cocoons, waiting for the right environment to hatch out into. They can hatch out within a couple of weeks in a busy household with feeding opportunities (e.g. you and your pet).

Both your pet and your home need to be treated.
Watch our video and follow our three-step treatment plan.

In some cases, around 10-14 days after treating the household, you will come across fleas. This is why it is important not to clean, vacuum, sweep or mop the floors of your property for at least a week after treatment.

The longer the invisible layer of insecticide remains on the floor, the more fleas will encounter it. It is normal and natural for fleas to reemerge; depending on the severity of the infestation, you may need to retreat. This isn’t a sign that the treatment hasn’t worked; this is normal because of a flea lifecycle.

Most households will require at least two bottles of home spray to treat the area thoroughly.

Common Flea FAQS

Are some flea treatments better than others?

Not necessarily.

Different flea products will be needed for different situations. So, you must be using the right product for your pet. If you use an inappropriate product, it won’t be as effective.

It is also essential to treat the home (don’t forget the car) as well as your furry friend. If you skip this step, the flea problem will get worse.

Are fleas immune to treatment?

Although it can sometimes feel like fighting a losing battle, fleas having resistance to certain spot-on treatments has never been proven.

Certain products will also target different life stages and work for different lengths of time.

Most spot-on treatments will work within a couple to 48 hours.

Understanding this and how frequently to retreat can help you keep your pet protected all year round. Always check the instructions and read the leaflet that comes with every flea treatment.

After more parasite advice? Watch our Guide to Ticks or read about Ear Mites.