The recent heat wave in Oregon is a reminder that the dog days of summer have arrived along with the potential for flea activity. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has advice for pet owners on how to provide relief from fleas. Pesticide products are among the tools that can be used to effectively control fleas, but they come with the usual caution of needing to be handled properly. The blazing heat in Oregon recently can exacerbates the skin irritation of pets that comes with flea bites, and make fleas develop more rapidly. The first order of business is to verify the issue. Prevention tactics are usually best started in the spring. However, there is still plenty that pet owners can do now. A thorough cleaning and vacuuming of the house– especially where pets sleep– is a good start. The most fastidious cleaning job in the world might not be enough if your pet already has fleas. Persistence in cleaning and early treatment is the key. There are a number of adult flea control products available, including spot-on topical products that are usually applied monthly. Some also contain growth regulators that inhibit the development of immature flea life stages. Pets can also be given tablets orally containing these insect growth regulators.
