Why has my dog still got fleas after treatment?

If your dog is constantly being reinfested with fleas after treatment, it is most likely there is an environmental infestation in or around your house. The adult fleas we see on pets represent only 5% of the total population. The other 95% are immature stages in the environment.


What do I do if my dogs fleas won't go away?

Use a home spray that contains an adulticide and an insect growth regulator. These ingredients won't kill the flea pupae already present in the home, but they do reduce the number of eggs and larvae that go on to develop into pupae and therefore decrease the time it takes for the infestation to be resolved.

How long does it take for fleas to go away after treatment on dogs?

Fortunately, all flea preventions, both topical and oral, show great speed in controlling flea infestations. Topical preventions have been shown to clear current flea burdens on dogs within 12 to 48 hours, and oral preventions often work within the first 2 to 4 hours.


Why am I still finding fleas after treatment?

Often even after treating with a suitable flea treatment you will still see flea's on your animal. However, this does not mean that the treatment has not worked or that the fleas are immune – the reasons are fairly simple: Fleas are hatching in your home and re-infecting your pet.

How long after flea treatment will I stop seeing fleas?

As eggs hatch and develop, you might find fleas reappearing 10-14 days after treatment - this is quite normal and provided the insecticide remains in place it will kill them. This is why it is important not to carry out cleaning which might remove insecticide.


Episode 75: Why Isn't Your Flea Treatment Working?



Why won't fleas go away after treatment?

Fleas have a complex life cycle. At some stages of their life cycle they are resistant to insecticides and other flea control products. In order to get rid of fleas in all stages of the life cycle, two or more follow-up treatments within 5-10 days after the first application are needed.

Can I use flea treatment again after 2 weeks?

The known safe answer is to wait the period of time the product is supposed to work, typically 30 days, before reapplying. An alternative is to bathe the pet in a detergent shampoo (meant to strip off skin oils) and reapply after 24 hours.

How do you get rid of lingering fleas?

How to Get Rid of Fleas in the House Fast
  1. 1 Vacuum your home.
  2. 2 Steam-clean carpets and furniture.
  3. 3 Wash bedding in hot water.
  4. 4 Spot-treat your home with insecticide spray.
  5. 5 Set up some flea traps.
  6. 6 Apply essential oils to problem areas.
  7. 7 Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in corners.
  8. 8 Comb your pet with a flea comb.


Can fleas survive a bath?

Give Your Dog a Bath

Bathing your pet regularly will also help rid your home of fleas. Any soap will kill them, so you don't have to use a flea bath. But make sure that the soap you use is safe for a cat or dog. Some people like to finish the bath with a nice-smelling essential oil that may also help keep fleas away.

Why is it so hard to get rid of fleas?

These pests are very hard to get rid of. Fleas have flattened bodies so they can move through the fur of their hosts easily. They also have very strong exoskeletons, making them very hard to crush. They also leap out of danger quickly and are very small, so if they do get away they are hard to find again.

What to do if your indoor dog has fleas?

Treat Your Home
  1. Wash your pet's bedding.
  2. Regularly vacuum your home (carpets, floors, and upholstery) with a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner.
  3. Apply Adams Flea & Tick Home Spray or Adams Plus Flea & Tick Indoor Fogger. Both reach fleas over large areas of carpeting and other surfaces.


Should you vacuum after flea treatment?

After your treatment

You must not: enter your home for at least two hours afterwards because the insecticide spray can be harmful to people and pets. clean or vacuum the treated areas for at least 14 days to allow the spray time to work.

Can fleas drop off still alive after treatment?

Flea larvae can remain dormant in your home for months, so new fleas may continue to emerge — even after treatment. These fleas will quickly die after hatching if you've treated your home and kept up with regular flea preventive for your pet, but it can take a while for all the existing fleas to hatch and be killed.

What kills existing fleas on dogs?

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs
  • Flea Comb. An affordable and practical solution, a flea comb is a must-have for pet parents looking for a natural flea-killer. ...
  • Lime or Lemon Comb/Lemon Bath. ...
  • Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  • Collars. ...
  • Diatomaceous Earth. ...
  • Baking Soda and Salt. ...
  • Nematodes. ...
  • Rosemary.


How many fleas on a dog is considered an infestation?

As few as 20 fleas might mean your pet is infested, while the most could be between 200 to 300. Ignoring a few fleas can quickly lead to an infestation on your dog and in your home,2 because two adult fleas could lead to hundreds of eggs and pupae. Fleas start feeding on blood within minutes of landing on your pet.

What can I put on my dog to keep fleas off?

Washes, Sprays, Dips, and Rubs
  1. Essential Oils Flea Spray. Some essential oils make for excellent flea remedies for dogs. ...
  2. Apple Cider Vinegar and Salt Flea Spray. ...
  3. Lemon Bath. ...
  4. Lather Bath. ...
  5. Rosemary Dip. ...
  6. Multi-Purpose Neem Oil. ...
  7. Organic Soaps. ...
  8. Aromatherapy Spray.


Is Dawn good for fleas?

Although Dawn kills fleas, veterinarians say it doesn't repel them or prevent infestations. Think of it as more of a temporary fix than a permanent solution.


What kills fleas best in the house?

Take a look at some of the effective ways you can get rid of them in your home:
  1. Use baking soda. ...
  2. Sprinkle salt. ...
  3. Lemon spray. ...
  4. Wash all bedding in hot, soapy water. ...
  5. Use rosemary. ...
  6. Hire a steam cleaner. ...
  7. Use a powerful vacuum. ...
  8. Use a pet-safe flea spray.


How often should you bathe your dog with fleas?

A dog with a flea infestation should be treated immediately with medication and a flea dip bath. However, flea shampoos are notoriously harsh on a pooch's skin. Therefore, be certain you don't try to give your dog with fleas a bath every day. Once a week should be enough.

What kills fleas permanently?

Choose an insecticide that contains both an adulticide (kills adult fleas), such as permethrin, and an insect growth regulator (kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae), such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen.


Can I give my dog 2 flea treatments in a month?

Never use multiple flea medications on your pet, unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. Fleas can be a very frustrating problem, and some medications may not produce immediate effects.

How long can fleas live in carpet?

Fleas can typically live up to three months in your carpet if they have a host, survival is much less without. Flea eggs live for two to three days before hatching which can take up to 12 days. Adult fleas will hide in the carpet until a suitable host becomes available.

Can fleas live on bedding?

Fleas like to live on a blood host. They won't take up residence in your bed, but they will leave evidence that they've been there. If your pet has fleas, the eggs may roll off their fur and onto your bed, where they'll hatch. Adult fleas can jump long distances and may make their way onto bedding.


Can fleas live in human hair?

First, is it possible for fleas to live in human hair? The short answer is no. There are more than 2000 types of fleas around the globe. However, there is no evidence that these insects can live on the human body or scalp.

How long do fleas live in your house?

How Long Do Fleas Live In Your House? The average life cycle of a flea is about 100 days, but fleas' lifespans can be quite variable. If conditions are favorable, these insects can even live indoors for up to a year!