Greensboro, NC -- Fleas. They're annoying, sometimes costly and they can be dangerous.
And in 2012, there seems to be more of them than normal. That's partly due to the mild Winter we all enjoyed.
Here are some tips:
- While you may not have needed flea protection for your pet in the past, you might this year.
- If your pet is already on some kind of flea treatment, you might need to try another product.
- Not all over the counter flea treatments are created equal. If you have a cat, be extra careful with over the counter treatments. If it doesn't specify it's for cats, don't use it.
When treating your pet, the inside of the house may not be enough. You might want to think about treating your yard. From eHow.com:
- Select an insecticide designated for outdoor use because indoor sprays may be rendered ineffective by the sun.
- Pyriproxifen is an insecticide that can be used in your yard and in your home as well.
- Make sure you treat your pet, the inside of your home and your yard on the same day.
- The procedure may need to be repeated in 2-3 weeks to kill newly hatched fleas.
- Natural options that are environmentally friendly include nematodes and diatomaceous earth. Nematodes are tiny worms that live in the soil in shady areas of your yard. they destroy flea larva and many other harmful pests. Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance composed of ground marine fossils. These tiny particles make little cuts on a flea's body, which causes dehydration and death.
Dr. Melanie Tims, Greensboro Veterinarian; eHow.com