*NEW fipronil spray in the flea market.
*Why mix IGRs with a contact killer?
*Do we really have to treat fleas all year round?
*Comparing sprays and spot-ons, efficacy may be an issue.
Do we really need to treat our pets for fleas over the winter? Once again the marketers have been to the forefront and have been pushing winter flea treatments to “prevent the build up of fleas in the environment.” How much notice should we take of this recommendation?
The flea presents its major problem in late spring and early summer. This coincides not only with warmer weather but also increased activity is stimulated by hormonal changes in female cats and dogs as they become more sexually active in this period.
The trick is definitely to get on top of the flea population before this seasonal explosion but mid winter splashing about of insecticide with gay abandon is not necessarily the best way to do it, although it will make some drug companies happy.
The key is to keep on top of the fleas right through the spring and summer period and, if that is done it is quite reasonable, especially for pensioners, to economise by not treating pets in the depths of winter.
With the excellent 2-3 months coverage by fipronil a simple and effective programme can be advised to clients that gives excellent coverage without being too severe on the pocket. Using the top chemical in an efficient manner is cheaper than compromising with alternatives.
Labour weekend, in late October, is an easy date to remember and that should be marked down as the start of the flea programme, falling as it does just before the late spring seasonal upsurge in activity.
Two months later it is Christmas, another easy date and also coming into the peak of the summer. A hit then is ideal and a follow up on Valentine’s Day, although really only seven weeks after Christmas, gives a good double whammy right at the peak of the season.
Easter is the other easy to remember date; although it is variable it is another ideal time to maintain flea control as it generally falls within the 2-3 month period after Valentine’s Day.
From there on it is autumn, the flea population, if there is any by this stage, is quiescent and thought can be given to skipping an application or two until the next Labour weekend, always with the proviso that flea control is rigorous from Labour weekend through to Easter and that great enemy of the flea, the vacuum cleaner, is utilised year round.
This regime is not in any textbooks and certainly is not promoted in any drug company literature, but it works very well and makes the use of the top of the line insecticide affordable for everyone.
The fact that this chemical is now available in the new Fiprovet Spray makes it even more affordable.