Flea and Tick Control Basics

Dog owners that live in areas where fleas and ticks can thrive are very wary of the pests. They try their hardest to keep their dog and the dog's area clean. While these preventative measures are important, many owners know that they will have to buy some sort of flea and tick control to kill fleas and ticks. Deciding which flea and tick control to use can be a very difficult decision because many of them contain chemicals. Here is an overview of different types of flea and tick control to help owners make an informed and safe decision for their dogs.

Permethrin-10

Permethrin-10 is a safe and effective insecticide that will keep the fleas and ticks away for up to twenty-eight days. Permethrin-10 is a very versatile chemical, and it can be applied in many different ways. One way is through a spray. By creating a spray, owners can spray any fences or walls where their dog might spend time. Also, the spray can be applied to the dog's bedding and house. However, this chemical should not be applied to human bedding or directly on humans.

Permethrin-10 can also be used directly on the dog. Generally, Permethrin-10 is mixed into a dip for the dog. The Pest Control Supplies website suggests that Permethrin-10 be combined with FleaFix which will get rid of any eggs that are left after the dip. The dip would be applied monthly, and it serves to kill any fleas or ticks that try to attach themselves to the dog.

Rx for Fleas Plus

Rx for Fleas Plus is a powder used by Fleabusters. This is a powder that is used especially to control fleas. The powder is milled in a way that when it is spread on a carpeted area, the powder clings to the fibers in the carpet. Owners can vacuum the floor without worrying about sucking up the powder.

Natural Flea and Tick Control

Some owners are very cautious about using chemical insecticides to treat their dogs for fleas and ticks. This is understandable considering they could be potentially dangerous for both the dog and the dog's family. Luckily, there are some natural remedies to help control fleas and ticks. One is a light trap. When the family leaves for vacation with the dog, owners should hang a light about six to twelve inches from a piece of duct tape or a pan filled with soapy water. The fleas will be attracted to the heat of the light because there are no other warm bodies from which to feed.

One way to control keep ticks off of the dog is to stay out of tall grass or shrubbery. When hiking, owners should keep their dogs on the trail. Ticks are waiting on leave and branches to latch onto an animal. When returning home, owners should comb through the dogs fur to see if the dog has any unwanted ticks. By eliminating ticks before they have a chance to burrow into the dog's skin, owners will keep their dogs healthy and tick free. Owners should also have someone check them for ticks to ensure they have not attracted any either.

Fleas and ticks are very sneaky bugs that can cause a lot of irritation if they are not controlled. Owners have many different options when it comes to flea and tick control. Generally, one method of flea and tick control will not be enough. Owners should consider a combination of methods when trying to control fleas and ticks.

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