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ESSENTIAL STEPS FOR FLEA CONTROL

1. Spot treat the yard.

A. Treat shady areas, damp areas, dog houses, and other areas where your pet spends the majority of time.
B. Use recommended residual sprays for longer lasting effect.
C. Spraying is most effective when the ground is damp. (Keep pets out until completely DRY!)
D. Repeat spraying every 3-4 weeks. (Do not use these products on the pet!!)

2. Treat the house.

A. We RECOMMEND a professional exterminator. Current laws now prevent the over-the-counter sale of the most effective flea control products. Use a professional exterminator who will give you a written guarantee to solve the problem. You will find this to be the most cost-effective way to treat the house. Solicit quotes from several exterminators in the area. Be sure to compare guarantees. Get it in writing.
B. If you choose to "do it yourself," follow label precautions and use proper dilutions. Be sure to observe precautions about removal of pets.
C. Foggers can be used but be sure to use an adequate number of them and follow label directions.
D. Vacuum the house thoroughly, at least once each week to remove eggs.

3. Bathe the pet every 2 weeks in Mycodex 3x, Mycodex with Carbaryl Flea Shampoo, or Davis Flea Shampoo. These products are safe and can be used as often as necessary to keep the pet clean and remove fleas. Most over-the-counter shampoos will dry out the hair coat if used too frequently. A common complaint we hear form clients using over-the-counter products is "I bathed my pet but now he even scratches more!" That is due to using a shampoo that does not have the proper pH balance.

4. Use Advantage or Frontline TopSpot Once Each Month. These drops are applied to the skin of your pet every 4 weeks. The product is very safe and effective. This product is not inactivated by water as is the case with some other products.

5. Use an OVITROL Flea Egg Collar for flea egg control. The collar will last for 12 months. Sentinel has heartworm preventative and flea tablet that sterilizes the female flea so that flea eggs she produces before she dies will never hatch out.

6. Use cedar chips for bedding and attach a "No Pest Strip" to the underneath side of the dog house floor for dogs kept outside.

All pets in the household must be treated at the same time. To win your war with fleas, it is important to treat the yard, house, and pet at the same time using appropriate products for each.

Don't waste your money on over-the-counter products and "quick cures" unless you follow all the directions. They may not work. There is "no free lunch." Do it right-or lose the war on fleas!