Changes

Control of flea infestations does not involve only the affected animal as the majority of the population is fee living in the environment. A single treatment or occasional treatment of the animal will provide temporary relief but will not control the issue. In order to properly control the several stages must be followed in order to remove the initial infestation and prevent re-infestation.

Control of flea infestations does not involve only the affected animal as the majority of the population is fee living in the environment. A single treatment or occasional treatment of the animal will provide temporary relief but will not control the issue. In order to properly control the several stages must be followed in order to remove the initial infestation and prevent re-infestation.

*Single or occasional treatments will only give temporary relief from fleas as the majority of the population is '''in the environment'''

Flea control must look at eliminating all stages of the flea life cycle rather than just those on the host. Animals must be protected against reinfection from within the home and in the environment.

*The animal must be rid of its resident flea population

Flea larvae can survive consuming flea dirt and other debris in carpet and upholstery. These areas should be treated with [[Ectoparasiticides]] in the form of sprays or foggers. This should be done in conjunction with regular treatment of the host animal, which will kill hatched fleas as they attack the animal. In the outdoor environment entomophagous nematodes can be used to destroy parasite eggs as this is their food supply.

*The environmental reservoir population should be eliminated

Adulticide treatments should be used on infected animals, some of these may also have larvicidal effects and so destroy earlier life stages before more eggs can be laid.

***Adulticides with larvicidal effects

***Entomophagous nematodes (These are parasitic nematodes which predate other parasite eggs)

*To prevent resistance occurring, control methods should not rely solely on chemical methods

To prevent resistance occurring, control methods should not rely solely on chemical methods. Hygiene such as regular vacuuming and washing of the animal's bedding should also occur for the most effective treatment.

**Hygiene such as regular vacuuming and washing of the animal's bedding should also occur for the most effective treatment

[[Category:Fleas|C]]

[[Category:Fleas|C]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Parasites]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Parasites]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]