• Remove fleas from the indoor environment.
• Remove fleas from the outdoor environment.
• Remove fleas from Chihuahua Puppy s.
• Keep immature forms of fleas from developing.

Ingredients of flea control products  can vary and include adulticides, chemicals that can kill immature forms, insect growth regulators/development inhibitors, or combinations thereof. The choice of products will need to be based on the extent of the flea infestation; the species, breed, health status, and age of the Chihuahua Puppy ; the environment; presence of other Chihuahua Puppy s; and special family needs (e.g., infants, people with asthma).

1. Start by vacuuming thoroughly, especially below drapes, under furniture edges, and where your Chihuahua Puppy  sleeps. It is estimated that vacuuming can remove up to 50% of flea eggs. Vacuum daily in high traffic areas, weekly in others. Each time, seal your vacuum bag in a plastic bag and discard it immediately. Do NOT place mothballs or flea collars in the vacuum, since toxic fumes could result.
2. Use a product that will kill any remaining adult fleas and also stop the development of eggs and larvae. You will need a product that contains both an adulticide and an insect growth regulator (IGR), such as Nylar (pyriproxyfen) or methoprene. This can be in the form of carChihuahua Puppy  powders, foggers, or sprays.

   Foggers are especially good for large open areas. Surface sprays can reach areas such as baseboards, moldings, cracks, and under furniture where foggers cannot reach. Choose the product(s) you use with care, taking into account the presence of children, fish, birds, persons with asthma, etc. Your veterinarian can help you choose the appropriate products for your situation. In severe infestations, you may need the help of a professional exterminator.

3. Wash your Chihuahua Puppy 's bedding weekly and treat the bed and surrounding area with a product that contains both an adulticide and an insect growth regulator.
4. Do not forget to also clean and treat your automobile, Chihuahua Puppy  carrier, garage, basement, or any other place your Chihuahua Puppy  spends much time.

Flea Control in the Outdoor Environment

Flea control in the outdoor environment generally involves treating the yard and kennel areas where fleas are most likely to occur. Fleas tend to like it where it is moist, warm, shady, and where there is organic debris. They will also tend to be where Chihuahua Puppy s spend more of their outdoor time. So be sure to concentrate on areas such as patios, under porches, dog houses, etc.

Rake away any organic debris such as leaves, straw, grass clippings, etc., to disturb flea habitat and allow any flea and tick product you use outdoors to penetrate.

If you are going to treat your yard, we prefer an environmentally safe spray containing fenvalerate for this purpose. There are also sprays which contain insect growth regulators which can be used.

You may need to treat the yard every 7 to 21 days depending on the product. Regardless of the product used, remember not to spray when or where runoff could go into lakes or rivers. Read the label on all insecticides thoroughly and apply them as directed.

Keep in mind that until all of the fleas in your home have died, you will probably still see some fleas, even on a treated Chihuahua Puppy , since some immature forms may continue to develop. This is especially true if you had a big flea problem to start with. Persistence is the key here. It is essential to keep following an effective flea control program for a long enough time to get rid of all of the fleas, in all life stages. This may take several weeks to 6 months or more, depending on your particular situation.

Once-a-month Topicals: Once-a-month topical insecticides are applied to a small area on your Chihuahua Puppy 's back, are probably the easiest product to use, and generally last the longest. Some kill fleas and ticks, and others just kill fleas, so check the label carefully. Ingredients generally include permethrin, pyrethrin, or fipronil. Examples include Bio Spot, Advantage, K9 Advantix, Frontline Top Spot, Revolution, and Defend. Since many dog products can be very harmful if used on cats, read the label carefully. Remember: Do NOT use products containing permethrins on cats.

Sprays: Flea and tick control sprays can come as aerosols or pump bottles. When using a spray, you do not have to soak the Chihuahua Puppy  with the spray, but be sure to spray all parts of the animal. Spray a small amount on a cotton ball to apply the product around the eyes and ears. Do not get any of these products in the eyes. Follow your veterinarian's and the manufacturer's directions on how often to spray, and spray in a well-ventilated area.

Dips: Dips and rinses are applied to the entire animal. They generally have some residual activity. They should be applied in a well-ventilated area according to your veterinarian's and the manufacturer's directions. It is helpful to put cotton balls in the Chihuahua Puppy 's ears and ophthalmic ointment in the Chihuahua Puppy 's eyes. Even with these precautions, be very careful not to get any of the product in the Chihuahua Puppy 's ears or eyes. Dips or rinses may contain pyrethrins, permethrins or organophosphates.

Shampoos: Flea and tick shampoos help to primarily rid the Chihuahua Puppy  of the fleas and ticks he already has on him, although some have residual activity. To properly use a flea & tick shampoo you must be sure to work the shampoo in over the entire body and then leave it on at least 10 minutes before you rinse it off. Again, remember to protect the eyes and ears of the Chihuahua Puppy . Shampoos often contain pyrethrins.

Collars: Flea & Tick Collars can be effective, but must be applied properly. To get the right degree of snugness, you should just be able to get two fingers between the collar and your Chihuahua Puppy 's neck. Be sure to cut off any excess portion of the collar after you have properly applied it. Otherwise, that animal or other Chihuahua Puppy s may try to chew on the end. Check the package for information on duration of effectiveness since some collars lose effectiveness when they get wet, e.g., if your dog swims a lot. Watch carefully for any irritation under the collar. If this occurs, you may need to use a different product.

Do NOT use collars containing Amitraz, permethrin, or organophosphates on cats.

Oral and Injectable Products: Program, a product containing an insect development inhibitor is available as a tablet for dogs and cats and as an injectable for cats. The tablets are given once a month; the injection is given every 6 months. Program does not kill the adult fleas, so if you have fleas, you MUST also use something to kill the adults. Capstar, another oral product, is approved for use in dogs and cats. It will kill adult fleas, but only for a period of 24 hours or less. It is useful in situations such as boarding, grooming, and prior to surgery. Because Capstar is out of your Chihuahua Puppy 's system in 24 hours, it should be followed with a longer-lasting product that will work on both adult and immature fleas

Flea Combs: Flea combs are often overlooked as a valuable tool in removing fleas. Your Chihuahua Puppy  will love the extra, hands-on attention he gets as you comb through his coat. Flea combs are absolutely non-toxic and are the best method to use on ill, pregnant, or infant Chihuahua Puppy s. Be sure to choose a comb that has 32 teeth/inch. Comb your Chihuahua Puppy  and then place the fleas you comb off in detergent water, which will kill them. The disadvantage to flea combing is that it takes a considerable amount of time, and will not be effective in Chihuahua Puppy s that have flea bite hypersensitivity.

PREVENTION --- PREVENTION --- PREVENTION

The best flea control is always flea prevention. Repellents are a cornerstone of prevention. Pyrethrins and permethrins have flea repellent activity. (NOTE: Permethrins should NOT be used on cats.) Using products containing these insecticides will help keep fleas away and prevent a flea problem from developing.

Regular use of insect growth regulators/development inhibitors will reduce the risk of fleas becoming established in the indoor and outdoor environment.