Flea control strategies and why they can fail*

Flea control strategies and why they can fail

With successive mild winters and reservoir flea populations in centrally heated homes, the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis is thriving in the UK. Fleas are a source of revulsion, distress and irritation for many pet owners but can also cause signifi can't health related issues for people and pets alike. Rising numbers of fleas therefore lead to increased disease risk and a desire on the part of pet owners to control flea infestations. Flea control can be complex and failure of treatment and control strategies are not uncommon. This leads to pet owner frustration, increased morbidity in pets and questions arising on flea resistance to chemical treatments. It is therefore vital for veterinary professionals to assess why flea control is failing and put corrective measures in place. This article discusses the principles of flea control strategies and the potential reasons for their failure.