Mice & Fleas What is the Connection?

Despite their diminutive size, if they infest your home, mice are a big pain. Mice cause damage to food, soft furnishings, electronics and other items around the home, and are notoriously difficult and expensive to get rid of. But what connection do they have with fleas?

If you own dogs or cats, you have probably already heard of, or even encountered fleas. Measuring just a few millimetres in length and capable of jumping long distances with their powerful legs, these tiny parasitic insects are a real nuisance. Flea bites are irritating to the skin and can cause pet allergies. Fleas can also carry other parasites such as tapeworm .

What many people do not realize is that fleas do not only live on dogs and cats. Mice are commonly infested with fleas, and so fleas hitch a lift into your home with this rodent. If you have noticed that there are fleas on your pet, and can't work out why, consider the possibility of a mouse population nearby.

Mouse - Proof Your Home

If you are concerned that mice might be accessing your home, the easiest thing to do is look for signs. Check food packages for signs of nibbling, look out for mouse droppings in corners and at the back of cupboard shelves and inspect any stored items, such as clothing and bedding, for signs of damage. If you suspect that there are mice around, you can start by setting traps (humane traps are an option). Using poison is not recommended, especially if you have pets or children. If your mouse problem is out of hand, call in a pest control expert for advice and assistance. Even if you don't think that there are any mice in your home, be vigilant and make the effort to mouse-proof. Keep stored food stocks such as rice, flour and dog kibble in sturdy, sealed containers and close any small access holes (such as spaces under doors) where mice might get in.

Preventing Fleas with Frontline Plus

Following the steps described above to keep mice out of your home and garden is a good way to minimize the risk of your dog or cat catching fleas. Obviously, you can't control the population of mice outside of your property, and whether you live in the country or town, your dog or cat could be exposed to fleas any time you take them for a walk. This is why veterinarians recommend that all dogs and cats be treated with a pet medication like Frontline Plus on a regular basis. Frontline Plus is a well-known flea and tick prevention treatment which is available in both for cats and for dogs formulas. Frontline Plus is applied directly to the pet's skin by parting the fur behind the neck. After application, Frontline Plus is absorbed and redistributed around the pet's body to provide product to your pets to provide the correct level of anti-parasite protection.

Frontline Plus: A Quick Guide

Frontline Plus is a flea and tick control product made by the well-known pharmaceutical brand Merial. Containing two powerful yet safe ingredients (fipronil and s-methoprene), this parasite control product is available in two formulas:Frontline Plus for Dogs and Frontline Plus for Cats. Frontline Plus works on two levels, killing adult fleas and ticks, and preventing flea eggs and larvae from developing. A significant effect of using this product is that it breaks the flea life-cycle and prevents further flea reproduction. Frontline Plus is supplied in a user-friendly, single-use pipette, containing an oily liquid which is applied directly to your pet's skin. Absorbed quickly and when used correctly, Frontline Plus is a highly effective treatment against fleas and ticks. Just be sure to keep your pet from getting wet for a full 24 hours to make sure the medicine is fully absorbed in the body and works effectively.

How Often Should I Use Frontline Plus On My Pets?

While Frontline Plus is designed to provide dogs and cats with an excellent level of protection from parasites, it is important to remember that regular application is necessary for it to work properly. In general, veterinarians recommend that you should use Frontline Plus on your pets once every four weeks to protect from fleas. Most pet owners will find that they need to follow this flea control plan throughout the year, even in winter time. Although fleas are less abundant in winter than in summer, our warm homes provide a habitat which allows them to breed during cold weather, and re-infect pets if precautions are not taken.

Protecting pets from ticks, however, requires a different approach. During peak tick season, it is essential to follow a more rigorous tick control routine. In spring and summer (from around April to August, or depending on your local climate) a single application of Frontline Plus each month will not give your pet adequate protection. Frontline advises on their website that you should use the product every two weeks on dogs, while cats need to be treated with another product, Frontline Spray for ticks.

Is Once A Month Enough?

Frontline Plus is a tried-and-tested leader in the flea and tick control market, but it is up to us, the pet owners to make sure that our pets get the right dose of protection. While an application every four weeks on dogs is enough to prevent flea problems, when ticks are an issue, you must apply the product every two weeks for complete protection. When Frontline Plus is applied according to the instructions, both pets and owners will enjoy one whole month free of worries about fleas!