Flea Myths

With the opportunity to have a weekend away from the practice, my sister and I took our dogs to one of the walking trails recommended in the News & Observer newspaper near Reidsville, Chinqua Penn.  For those blog followers that did not grow up in the Piedmont section of North Carolina, Chinqua Penn is the former estate of Jeff & Betsy Penn. Combining their fortunes from tobacco and electrical power, they traveled the world to bring treasures (from at least 30 countries) to their 31,00  square foot mansion built in the early 1920’s. In 1959 it was donated to the State of North Carolina until it was closed in the 2002. Then in 2006 it was sold to a private tobacco entrepreneur and reopened for tours. Unfortunately, the owner declared bankruptcy in 2012 and the house was closed and contents auctioned.

I go into such detail as I was one of  the many North Carolinians that toured the home and loved it. Now it is abandoned, stripped of its priceless treasures, and very sad. The walking tour, http://www.chinquapenntrail.org/, takes one around the farm perimeter: Brunswick stew camp with huge rock tables, pump house, summer house, rock dam, and pet cemetery. Taco Belle and her dog cousin, Hallie, had a great time.

 I enjoyed the walk immensely, yet was so sad that a wonderful home has fallen into such disrepair. Farmland adjoining the property is still operated as an experimental agricultural station by NCSU, and there are plenty of Angus cows grazing on the pastures. I was completely unaware of the changes at Chinqua Penn and the myth it would survive for future generations.

What other myths are out there this time of year regarding flea control?

IS SUMMER THE WORST TIME FOR FLEAS IN NORTH CAROLINA?

No, fall is actually the time when maximum fleas occur as one flea can lay 50 eggs a day, and thus, the total flea infestation in the environment by October is extremely high.

FLEAS ARE GROSS, ONCE THEY ARE TREATED END OF STORY, RIGHT?

Unfortunately, it is at least a 3 month cycle to treat. Even more serious are the diseases carried in the flea saliva/bite: tapeworms, Bartonella (Cat Scratch Disease), and the Plague are the three most commonly mentioned.

WILL FEEDING RAW GARLIC OR BREWER’S YEAST CONTROL KILLS FLEAS? WHAT ABOUT ULTRASONIC PET COLLARS?

Nope. There is no scientific or clinical evidence of this, and in cats GARLIC can cause anemia. Unfortunately, the ultrasonic collars can actually be detected by pets and change their behavior.

WILL SPREADING DIATOMACEOUS EARTH(DE), BORAX, AND SALT ON CARPETING, PET BEDDING, AND FLOORS AND VACUUMMING EVERY 3 DAYS AID IN THE CONTROL OF FLEAS?

This is partially true; yet not really practical. When used, application to pet sleeping area seems the most effective to desiccate (dry out) flea larvae.

WILL SPREADING CEDAR SHAVINGS, NEMATODES, IVORY SOAP, and PLANTING PENNY ROYAL IN THE YARD AID IN THE CONTROL OF FLEAS?

Soap and water work only on the adult flea, so since they are mainly on the pet, this will not work in the yard environment where there are few adult fleas (plus soap kills the grass). Nematodes, although a fad several years ago, were not proven to be effective yard treatments as there are few flea larvae in the open spaces. Cedar shavings & Penny Royal, both natural flea repellent, would be impractical to treat entire yards due the volume required for effective control.

KEEPING PETS STRICTLY INDOORS PREVENTS FLEA EXPOSURE?

Many pet owners (especially those with cats) live on the theory that being indoors lowers exposure to external parasites. Fleas, however crave indoor environments. All it takes is one pants leg, shoe, a flea hitchhiking in the house on the fur of another pet, and one male/one female flea to start an infestation of thousands in a few weeks in the Southeastern United States.

In summary, it is still open flea season in our area. Effective flea control programs include a combination of flea combs, bathing, oral/topical flea medications, and indoor/outdoor environmental control (utilizing products such as Knockout premise spray and/or licensed pest control operators). Frequent washing and vacuuming of bedding is important.  Control ROAMING of wild animals such as raccoons and opossums (the primary carriers of fleas into yard), and clearing of brush helps to control areas of flea nests.

Fleas do not spread by jumping from pet to pet,  ut rather a pet passes through an area where another host (cat/dog/raccoon/opossum) has contaminated the area with flea eggs, larvae, and pupae stages.

Visit capcvet.org for more information and flea updates by region.

CHECK OUT THE NEW NEXGARD FOR ORAL FLEA/TICK CONTROL IN DOGS TO REPLACE TOPICAL THERAPY IN A NEW , NOVEL FORMULATION.

 My thanks to the dog stars: Shayle Dettelbach, Sherlock York(dach), and my Taco belle(chi)

Betsy Sigmon DVM, Diplomate ABVP canine and feline

Hospital Director, Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Sunset over a Canadian Lake