Health Tip: Treat Flea Infestation on Your Pet

Fleas thrive in hot and humid temperatures. So depending on where you live, fleas can be a year-round problem or a seasonal worry.

Adult fleas are no bigger than a sesame seed, making them difficult to spot. And they can easily jump from one pet to another, or even to a person.

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation says once a female flea finds a host, it will start laying eggs within 24 hours and will produce up to 50 eggs per day.

An egg may fall off a pet and onto the floor, where a flea pupae can remain dormant for weeks before emerging as an adult flea. The flea may then live 12 days to 6 months, depending on the conditions.

Signs that your pet’s infested range from mild redness to severe scratching.

If your pet and home become infested, the foundation suggests:

Have your pet treated with a product that will kill the fleas.
Clean your pet’s sleeping area and wash all bedding.
Vacuum any floors and furniture that were visited by your pet. Do this frequently to prevent re-infestation.
Consider treating your home and lawn with an insecticide. Ask your vet what’s appropriate.

Source: HealthDay