(NAPSA)—Nowis a good time to ensure that your pets and your homeareflea-free. The best way to deal with a flea problem is before you have one and thebest timeto use a flea product is before you see fleas on your pets. It’s much easier to prevent fleas than to get rid of them, because the fleas you see are just a small part of the problem. Eggs and wormlike larvae represent 80 percent of the flea population that can infest your home, lurking in the rugs and carpeting where your kids and petsplay. Under the right conditions, fleas can survive and reproduce indoors at any timeof year. In one study, pre-emerged adult fleas survived for 140 days in carpet and rugs—the ideal indoor environment. That’s why the mosteffective solution is year-round parasite prevention, as recommended by both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Companion Animal Parasite Council (www.petsandparasites.com). Fleas are more than a nuisance to you, your family and your pets. They can transmit diseases such as tapeworm, cause anemia and create a skin condition in your pets known as flea allergy dermatitis. The solution can be easy. To kill fleas on your pets and to prevent any future infestation, ask your veterinarian to prescribe proven, effective oral flea products that eliminate adult fleas within 30 minutes and prevent eggs andlarvae from developing into adult fleas. Giving your pets an oralflea preventive once a month can be easy and convenient. aa J ae a: ek fe 744 ea ee D Think vacuuming can help getrid of fleas that may infest the carpet? Vacuuming can actually encourageflea activity. Both your pets and your home will be protected and even if your pets pick up a flea it will not be able to reproduce. Signs of Fleas If you’re wondering how you spot fleas, here are someclues: Pets scratchinga lot. *Pets avoiding favorite sleeping spots because they are seeded with flea eggs and larvae. Fleaslie in a dormant state until a warm body comes along—and that body could also belong to your children. Small black specks in your pet’s fur—or anywhere in your house. Knownas“flea dirt,” these specks are actually flea waste— undigested blood that larvae feed on. Patchy fur loss and/or scabs on the pet’s coat, caused by flea allergy dermatitis. You can talk to your veterinarian about safe, convenient products from Novartis Animal Health. Find out more about preventing “bugs in your rugs” at www.growingupwithpets.com.
