this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2023
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I believe the trick is to interrupt breeding for each generation of fleas - that is, kill everything that's currently active so they can't continue to lay eggs, then kill the next generation before it's old enough to lay more eggs.
The exact timing depends on the species of flea/tick/mange mite. There are several different kinds, all with different timings. And a few days makes a huge difference.
Maybe consult a vet for the latest information on what to do, when to do it, and what to use.
This field is constantly evolving, as pest resistance evolves, so what worked 5 years ago may not be effective now. For example, back in my youth you could just wash everything with gamma wash. That's almost wholly ineffective now.
Thanks mate, that actually makes a lot of sense. Is there any workable means of identifying the species and timing?
This is what the vet is for. Sticky tape can gather flea eggs (check pet bedding), and comb out pet fur on pet and put combings with fleas in a screw top glass bottle and take to vet for an expert opinion. The flea combs sold in pet shops and colesworth are good for this.
I'm a bit out of touch with what's current, but I would plan on a fortnight campaign. That is, identify the problem species, then do a blitzkrieg on the currently living, then follow up with another blitzkrieg 2 weeks later to catch the newly hatched. But the vet can probably offer much better advice.
A zillion times this on the comb. They used to cost cents, somebody has probably branded one these days. A human nit comb works too.