How to Kill Fleas for Good

Flea eggs and larva aren't present on your pet, but in the carpet in your home, in bedding, and outside where your pet frequents. There's no point in killing the fleas on your pet if they're just going to be reinfested from eggs and larva in your home.

Treat your pet

There are many products these days that provide effective flea control for your pets. The easiest, and most effective, are the long-term oral and topical treatments, such as Program, Frontline, and Advantage. They're easy to apply, and generally provide long-lasting protection from fleas, often for up to a month per application.

These products are the most popular and effective way to treat to treat your pet for fleas. They're simple to apply, don't require messy sprays or powders, and work for up to one month. Regular applications of these flea control products will prevent re-infestation, once you've rid your pet and home of fleas.

These topical treatments are far more effective than traditional sprays and powders. They're also less toxic, and more localized to the pet being treated, as opposed to sprays which result in a toxic cloud being released into the air, in addition to on your pet.

For many people, applying any kind of chemicals to a pet's skin is unacceptable. Fortunately, there are many natural flea control remedies available, which don't use chemicals, but instead rely on essential oils and herbs to repel fleas. Garlic, brewers yeast, and eucalyptus oil are just a few of the natural flea remedies you can use. See our natural flea control page for more details.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently warned consumers about purchasing flea counterfeit flea control products. With the onset of flea and tick season, buyers need to beware of purchasing counterfeit and ineffective flea treatments.

The EPA has published a four-page pamphlet and Q&A which explains how to identify illegitimate products, and which types of products are most likely to be affected. Some of the most commonly counterfeited flea control products are the ever-popular Frontline and Advantage.

Here are some examples of what to look for when buying Frontline and Advantage.

how to get rid of fleas

Frontline:

• The lot number on the box matches the lot number on the individual applicators.
• An instruction booklet is included in the box, and includes first-aid information, emergency U.S. telephone numbers, directions for use, and instructions on how to store and dispose of the product.
• The applicator vial is child-resistant, and directions for opening are included.

Advantage:

• The applicator vials include an EPA Registration number.
• Applicator tubes include a reference to the labeling on the box for usage directions, and the manufacturers name (Bayer).
• Applicator tubes have an active ingredient statement that matches the ingredient statement on the box.

Counterfeit flea treatments can cause serious health problems for your pet. Please read the EPA warning carefully, and refer to it when purchasing flea treatments, especially Frontline and Advantage.

If you do find yourself in possession of counterfeit products, you can report the violation to the EPA by visiting this environmental violation page. There's no penalty for purchasing these products, and by reporting violators, you may very well help save somebody's pet.