Well let me start of by saying there is over 2000 different varieties of flea in the world today, the female version of these small little pests can reproduce at the alarming rate of 50 eggs a day max and an average egg count is normally around 20- 30 a day. Fleas can start to lay eggs as soon as 48 hours after having their first blood meal which makes getting rid of these fleas early on essential.

Around half of the flea population are eggs, 30% larvae, 15% pupae and only around 5% of the population are biting adults. These larvae take anywhere from a week to a month to become biting fleas and as you can see by the stats, the key to stopping your flea problem and letting your dog get a good night sleep again is through getting rid of the eggs.

Fleas can’t reproduce without a blood meal from your dog or another animal but can survive for long periods of time (2 months to a year) in hibernation without a meal but usually they will die off within one week without hibernation.

They key places to look out for fleas are near your dog’s bed or under bushes outside that your pet sleeps or rests. Anywhere your dog lies for long periods of time are key areas for fleas to live.

To check for fleas on your dog you will first have probably noticed your dog being very restless and uncomfortable, so the next step is to search for flea faeces, this will look like small bits of dirt to the human eye and rubbing it between your fingers with some water will bring out the red colour of blood if it is flea faeces.

Once you have found evidence of flea faeces you are now ready to move on to the next big step and get rid of the pests that are making your dog feel so uncomfortable.

First you should keep calm and asses the situation properly; over-worrying will cause you to forget things that seem common sense to others. Start by closing all the doors in your house and properly searching your home. Dogs can find their way into most places unimaginable to us humans so look in every place possible and places you think would be impossible.

After you have search your house and dishwasher, clothes dryer, washing machine, and attic you will have to start to look outside, look in al the places your dog like to go to start with , then if not found, start to scour your neighbourhood looking underneath cars, hedges and bushes asking and taking to everyone on your travels.

If after searching your neighbourhood for your dog you do not find them, then the next day you should continue the same routine as the previous day, shouting your dogs name at all times and listening for any response.

After this stage, finding the numbers for local vets or pet health care services in your area may be a good idea to see if any injured or lost animals of your dog’s description have been rescued or found within the last few days. If not then flyers with a picture and a phone number should be posted and put up within a mile radius of your home, and checking the ‘found’ pages in the newspapers to look for any results.

If you follow the steps above you secure the best chance of finding your pet alive and well in a quick timescale and without too much worry.

Always remember to take down and remove the flyers after you have found you dog to maintain a good relationship with the people around you and a clean neighbourhood.

Holothink.