Are fleas just a summer problem?

Fleas are a problem throughout the year; micro-climates in homes, gardens and parks allow their survival during the coldest winters; however fleas are a bigger problem in summer as warmth and humidity speed up their life cycle. Where there is lots of wildlife, this will also contribute to the flea population your pets are exposed to outdoors. These factors increase the risk of developing a flea infestation within your home during summer.

Why is it important to treat my pet regularly against fleas?

Because the flea life cycle happens much faster during summer, if you're not treating all your pets regularly, hitch hikers from external infestations will survive on pets and start laying hundreds of eggs. These eggs aren't sticky and fall out of the fur wherever your pet wanders. The eggs hatch into tiny larvae that crawl away from light, deep into carpets, between floorboards, underneath furniture etc.... We're sure you get the picture! The larvae then spin cocoons and begin transforming into adult fleas. Cocoons hatch when stimulated by vibration and fleas jump directly onto the new host, potentially your pet, from the environment.

What do you mean by a 'hitch-hiker' and a home infestation?

It's important to know the difference between 'hitch-hiker' fleas and a home infestation.

Hitch hiker fleas - the adult fleas seen on pets come directly from the environment- an infested home, garden, park etc. They hatch from cocoons hidden in the environment and jump straight on to your unsuspecting pet. These cocoons are from an external source and so these fleas are known as 'hitch-hiker' fleas. Provided you're treating your pet regularly throughout the year with a preventative treatment such as Frontline Spot On, these pesky 'hitch-hikers' will die off before they lay eggs that would contaminate your home.

However, if the fleas are coming from cocoons hidden internally within your home, then you have a home infestation.

Click here to read about why a home infestation can occur and how it can be treated.

This content has been provided by our friends at Merial, the makers FRONTLINE ®Spot On. For more information on how to protect your pet from fleas throughout the year and to sign up to receive free email or SMS flea treatment reminders please visit www.hugyourpet.co.uk.