A flea collar is a great way to help protect your dog from fleas and ticks. Unfortunately, it is not a complete solution and does not guarantee that your dog will be free of these pests.
Flea collars work in two ways – by releasing either an insecticide or a natural active ingredient (usually essential oils) that act as repellents and can kill fleas upon contact. However, it is important to note that while they are excellent at preventing fleas from coming onto the pet, they are less effective once the pests have already infested the coat of your canine.
There could be several reasons why you still find fleas on your dog despite using a flea collar with an insecticide or other active ingredients. Perhaps not enough of the repellent/insecticide has been released into the environment; some pet owners may not change their collars frequently enough; defective collars may have been purchased; worn or loose collars may have decreased effectiveness over time; environmental factors like humidity can also interfere with insecticide efficacy; and depending on how active your dog is, different levels of protection are needed to keep those pesky bugs away.
In addition, existing eggs and larvae in shelters, carpets, furniture, blankets etc., must be treated as well to completely get rid of all adult fleas. Pet bedding should washed regularly and other surfaces should be vacuumed often. It’s also important to treat any other pets in the household so that there is no cross-infestation between them. Furthermore, natural tick repellents such as Diatomaceous Earth can provide a healthy alternative for tick control for both dogs and cats.
Remember – flea serestocollars collars only prevent new infestations! Depending on the severity of infestation, additional measures including medication treatment might need to be taken if you’re still finding live fleas on your pet even after regular use of a collar or devices such as Ultrasonic & Electronic Flea Collar Repellers which act as powerful Natural Frequency Repellents .
Consider the Environment
When trying to figure out why your dog might still have fleas while wearing a flea collar, it’s important to consider the environment. Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments, and if your house is too cluttered or has excess moisture in the air and not enough air circulation, then this could create prime conditions for fleas to breed.
Similarly, spending too much time with your pet outdoors around ponds and wooded areas could give them easier access to areas where pests and parasites might live. Be sure to thoroughly inspect their fur after they’ve gone outside and take preventive measures such as adding an appropriate amount of insecticide to their fur or using other repellents such as garlic or rosemary sprays. Also be sure to clean thoroughly throughout your home regularly in order to reduce any potential hot spots for flea infestations.
Check for Expiration Dates on Products
One of the biggest factors in flea prevention not working is using out-of-date products. If you’re using a flea collar, pay close attention to its expiration date before putting it on your pup. Flea collars usually expire after around 8 months so be sure to replace it if it’s been longer than that since you bought it.
Keeping up with when products need to be replaced can be tough and sometimes they don’t even list an expiration date! In general, if the product has lost its scent or has an off odor then it’s likely best to throw it away and get a new one. An expired product won’t work as well as a fresh one because the active ingredients have slowly become less effective over time. Not only that but your dog could come into contact with some pretty nasty chemicals from old flea collars or treatments!
Use Prevention Tactics
The trick to beating fleas is in prevention. Even with the use of a flea collar, other effective flea-preventing tactics should be implemented. Brushing and vacuuming your pet regularly can help get rid of the fleas, as well as their eggs and larvae. Bathing your dog with a medicated shampoo, preferably weekly, will also help to flush out any remaining fleas or eggs they may have missed while brushing or vacuuming.
Additionally, you’ll want to establish good housekeeping habits to keep your home from being re-infested with fleas. Vacuum rugs, floors, and furniture on a regular basis. Launder your pet’s bedding at least once a week in very hot water (140 degrees F) or dry clean it for best results. You’ll also want to mow your lawn regularly and treat it for fleas if necessary to minimize potential breeding sites outside your home. Finally, make sure all members of the household are diligent about checking shoes before entering the house after time spent outdoors.
In consolidation
Using flea collars alone to prevent fleas may not be effective as there can be environmental risk factors which could weaken its effectiveness. Combined with other prevention tactics such as regular checkups and proper pest control treatments, however, it can be an effective tool in helping keep your pet away from these unwanted pests.