1) I went to the Vet to find the best treatment for my pets. In my case it was Frontline Plus. Frontline kills both the adult fleas and their eggs. Other good products for getting rid of fleas on your pets are Advantage and Advantix. It is very important to ask the Vet what the best treatment is to put on your pet. Also, make sure the product also kills the eggs. I had a very bad experience using a product the Vet didn’t recommend. Use a flea comb also till the fleas are gone. Always be sure to follow the Vet’s directions.

2) Get a flea and tick Aerosol or Spray that kills both the adult fleas and their eggs. The reason for this is foggers and powders don’t reach everywhere. Spray the carpets, furniture, under the furniture and anywhere else there are fleas and their eggs. Make sure your pets are in a different room from where you’re spraying and follow the instructions on the bottle or can.
 
3) This is the most important step. Make sure you Vacuum everyday for 2 weeks. Replace the bag every day after vacuuming and make sure you change the bag outside. This is very important because you don’t want even one stray flea or any eggs in your home once you have started your treatment. After the 2 weeks of vacuuming every day the fleas will be gone.

To keep the fleas from coming back, continue to use Frontline Plus or the treatment recommended by your Vet as long as it is flea season. If you live in an area where it is warm year round, then you would want to continue treating. I haven’t seen a flea in my home, or on my pet since.  Stay away from any flea and tick products containing organophosphate insecticides (OPs) and carbamates. Both of these are found in various flea and tick products. A product is considered an OP if it contains chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon, or malathion. If the product contains carbaryl or propoxur then it contains a carbamate. According to the NRDC, the potential dangers posed by these products are greatest for children and pets. The Center For Public Integrity's study said permethrin is classified under the most toxic category by NRDC because the EPA says it is "likely to be carcinogenic to humans" if ingested orally. Many pets have died or became very sick from products containing these ingredients. I lost 1 of my cats by using a product with some of these ingredients. This is why it’s important to consult your vet.

Fleas on Humans

Flea bites on humans can be very irritating. The bites look like a small red spot or bump and can be very itchy depending on how sensitive you are to them. Children can be more sensitive to these bites compared to adults. Flea bites on humans are more likely to occur on the ankles, knees, waist, elbows and armpits. Flea bites can cause medical problems including flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), tapeworms, secondary skin irritations and, in extreme cases, anemia. Although bites are rarely felt, it is the resulting irritation caused by the flea salivary secretions that varies among individuals. Some may witness a severe reaction (general rash or inflammation) resulting in secondary infections caused by scratching the irritated skin area. Medications are available for the itching and inflammation of flea bites. Basic cool compresses work to alleviate the swelling. Calamine lotion and oral antihistamines are for lessening the itch of the spots and bumps. This is not a substitute for medical advice, just a suggestion on how to treat the flea bites.

 
By Sam Litwak

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