Flea treatments

The itching associated with flea bites can be treated with anti-itch creams, usually antihistamines or hydrocortisone.

[2] Modern flea control is approached using integrated pest management (IPM) protocols at the host (pet) level.

This is typically achieved using an adulticide to kill adult fleas and an insect development inhibitor (IDI), such as lufenuron, or insect growth regulator (IGR), such as methoprene, to prevent development of immature stages.

Pyrethrin based flea treatments meant for dogs can be hazardous to cats.

Thorough vacuuming, washing linens in hot water, and treating all hosts in the immediate environment (the entire household, for example) is essential for successful eradication.

[4] Contemporary commercial products for the topical treatment of flea infestations on pets contain pesticides such as imidacloprid, permethrin, and (S)-methoprene.

A similar pattern of activity was observed at both 48 and 72 h, but higher percentages of larvae were killed for each of the compounds as the incubation time increased.

[8][9] Bathing dramatically reduces the flea population on a badly infested animal, especially when in combination with a mild detergent or shampoo and brushing or combing.