There is no sure way to prevent flea infestation of your pet or home. However, there are some hints to prevent long term infestation.
- The administration of lufenuron as a once monthly flea IDI will help to reduce the risk of fleas establishing their presence in your environment. Intermittent application of a topical insect growth regulator, such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen, will also greatly reduce the likelihood of flea infestation in your home or local environment. The treatment interval with topical IGRs varies with the product: methoprene requires application fairly often (e.g., days) while pyriproxyfen made be applied less frequently (e.g., weeks). See the section on insect growth regulators for more information. These products (insect growth regulators) will not stop fleas from biting your pet(s), but they will keep them from reproducing and creating a large population of fleas in your environment. They are strongly recommended for all pets in areas of the country with fleas.
- Monthly application of fipronil (Frontline®) or imidcloprid (Advantage®) on dogs and cats or pyriproxyfen/permethrin (KnockoutTM) on dogs may prevent fleas from surviving on the pet even for short time periods.
- If fleas are a problem in your neighborhood and your pet goes outdoors frequently, combing the pet after it returns from outdoors may help to pick up fleas before they can get established on the pet or in the home.
- Spraying the pet before or immediately after the pet returns from the outdoors may help to reduce flea numbers. However, remember that frequent applications of flea control products increase the chance for toxicosis. Use sparingly and read a and follow label recommendations.
- Regular application of fipronil (Frontline®) or imidcloprid (Advantage®) on the pets in the household appears to be an effective way to prevent flea infestation in the home.
- The use of one of the pour-on products (Advantage, Top Spot, ProSpot, Exspot) would be one way to prevent reinfestation of the patient and the environment. However, consider all the advantages and disadvantages of topical pour-on products.
- Pets should receive a flea bath after they have been boarded or playing with other pets (e.g., in the park)...before they are allowed back in the house.