Phone: 614-292-5274 Fax: 614-292-9783
e-mail: extento@postoffice.ag.ohio-state.edu
William F. Lyon
1. Imidacloprid (Advantage), a chloronicotinyl pesticide, is a product of Bayer that kills adult fleas on contact on cats and dogs before they can lay eggs and the flea life cycle is broken. About 98 to 100 percent of adult fleas are killed on the pet within 24 hours by a topical spot application on the back of the neck on cats and between the shoulder blades on dogs. A single dose works for at least four weeks on dogs and up to four weeks on cats. Imidacloprid has been used on pregnant and lactating dogs and one-month-old puppies with no clinical abnormalities. Apply once a month. There is no waiting period to handle pets after application. Also, treated dogs immersed in water weekly for 30 days still experience nearly 90 percent flea control efficacy. (Fleas do not have to bite pet.)
2. Lufenuron (Program), a systemic insect growth regulator, is a product of Novartis Corporation that controls fleas on dogs and cats of any size, weight or breed. Program is safe for pregnant dogs and puppies, and cats and kittens as young as six weeks. A dog is given one tablet once a month with a normal meal. Cats are given a tablet or a liquid dose once a month with a liquid meal. Lufenuron is a Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor (CSI) type of Insect Development Inhibitor (IDI) that breaks the flea's life cycle by preventing eggs and larvae from developing. Nearly 100 percent of eggs laid by treated fleas do not develop. There is no effect on the adult flea. Tiny immature flea eggs, larvae and pupae may be hidden in carpets and upholstery or yard and dog houses, so it may take a few weeks to see how effective lufenuron works. Help by vacuuming your carpet and bathing your pet. Prevent fleas by giving lufenuron tablets once a month, year-round without interruption. Lufenuron is very safe to humans, pets and the environment. (Fleas have to bite pet.)
3. Fipronil, (Frontline Top Spot), a GABA site inhibitor, is a product of Rhone Merieux, Inc. that kills adult fleas up to a month or more on dogs and cats. Ticks are killed for a month or more on dogs and cats. Frontline Top Spot can be used on 10-week old puppies, 12-week old kittens and pets receiving other medications. A pre-measured dosage in a plastic pipette is applied in a spot between the pet's shoulder blades. Be sure to part the fur and squeeze the tube to apply entire contents to the skin surface. For best results, do not bathe the pet two days before or after treatment. It remains effective after bathing or swimming. Fipronil dissolves in oils on the skin and, within 24 hours after application, spreads over the entire pet (translocation). Fipronil collects in the hair follicles and oil-producing glands of the skin where it slowly wicks out of the follicles covering the skin and fur for up to three months. Topline is also available for application in a metered spray pump. (Fleas do not have to bite pet.)
4. Pyriproxyfen (Nylar, Archer) is a product of Virbac that is a new third generation Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) - Juvenile hormone mimic. Pyriproxyfen (an IGR) + permethrin (a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide) (Knockout) kills adult fleas and ticks plus kills flea eggs for dogs. Also, Knockout is formulated as a room and area fogger, killing adult and preadult fleas for seven months plus ticks, cockroaches and spiders.
If the homeowner treats the pet, spot-ons, powders or dusts are preferred over sprays. Put on rubber gloves and apply the product thoroughly into the hair coat according to label directions. Cats are more susceptible than dogs to toxic effects of many insecticides since they groom themselves. Flea collars cannot always be relied upon to bring existing infestations under control. Collars do not kill existing premise infestations. Some animals are sensitive or allergic to collars. Watch for signs of dermatitis on the neck under the collar. Some labeled pet collar insecticides include: Pyrethrins, resmethrin, carbaryl (Sevin), diazinon, naled, tetrachlorvinphos (Rabon) + methoprene (Precor), d-limonene + linalool, rotenone, propoxur, allethrin and permethrin (Bio Spot) for dogs only. Amitraz collars labeled for dogs only are effective on ticks. After 24 hours, 95 percent of attached ticks become detached.
Indoors - Automatic aerosol foggers, available in a canister, will give good knockdown and kill many biting adult fleas. Insecticides include methoprene + permethrin, pyriproxyfen + permethrin + pyrethrins (Bio Flea Halt), resmethrin, allethrin, pyrethrins, tetramethrin, rotenone and propoxur (Baygon).
A coarse spray (40 psi) of diazinon (Knox Out 2 FM), propoxur (Baygon) and resmethrin (Vectrin) applied to cracks and crevices of floors, moldings and baseboards up to a height of one foot usually gives good results. Other flea killers include tetramethrin+pyriproxyfen (Bio Flea Halt), amorphus silica gel (Drione, Tri-Die), bendiocarb (Ficam), diatomaceous earth (Answer, Organic Plus), esfenvalerate (Conquer), linalool (Demize) and d-limonene (Flea-Stop).
Additional highly-effective insecticides available to the licensed commercial and pest control operator include bendiocarb + pyrethrins (Ficam Plus), cyfluthrin (Tempo), cypermethrin (Cynoff), deltamethrin (Delta Guard, Suspend), propetamphos (Catalyst)+methoprene (Precor) and tralomethrin (Saga). Pyrethrin+permethrin+pyriproxyfen (Ultracide) provides seven month control as a carpet spray. Water-based sprays are generally used for treating all carpeting and upholstered furniture.
Since there is no flea resistance to borates, many homeowners try switching to boric acid and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate. Boric Acid (Fleabuster, Bio Flea Halt, Biotrol) is a stomach poison killing fleas in the larva stage. Larvae ingest contaminated adult flea feces. Adult fleas are not killed. Apply directly on vacuumed, cleaned carpets where pets frequently travel or sleep. Work powder deeply into fibers with a broom or rug rake. For upholstery, remove loose cushions, apply along creases and into corner, not to exposed fabric. Any powder visible after application must be brushed in cracks or removed. Borates are environmentally safe, odorless and used in homes with children and pets. Some pest control operators give a guarantee up to one year when using borates.
Outdoors - If the cat or dog regularly goes outside, treatment will be useful. Cats generally roam over greater areas than dogs and will pick up fleas seeding the home grounds with their infestations. Cats using sand boxes and dogs sleeping under shrubs and crawlspaces provide a reservoir of fleas. Treat outdoor areas frequented by pets during the summer months with fenvalerate, deltamethrin (Delta Guard), carbaryl (Sevin), propoxur (Baygon), diazinon (Knox Out 2 FM), pyrethrins, resmethrin, rotenone or bendiocarb (Ficam). Licensed commercial operators can use fluvalinate (Mavrik, Yardex). Chlorpyrifos (Duration) is a microencapsulated outdoor perimeter treatment. Animal pens, kennels, doghouses, crawlspaces and sandy soil or gravel driveways are important to spot treat with a hand sprayer. Clean and sweep porches, mow the grass and soak the dry soil with water before treating to bring the flea larvae up to the surface. Additional treatments at intervals, according to label directions, may be needed.