Treatment
Treatment medications are the same as those used for prevention. Treatment of each pet in the home is necessary for any medication to work as expected and oftentimes for guarantees to be honored by any company. This is particularly where understanding the life cycle is important. For example, when treating a flea infestation which is a more common complaint received in the clinic, the medication must be given for a minimum of 3 consecutive months. The home and environment also must be treated to prevent reinfection as fleas can live in the home for years if a host is available.
In-home treatment options are widely available in the form of premise sprays and bombs.
Premise sprays are more controlled and pets can remain in the home when these are used. In bombing situations, pets are generally required to leave the home for their best health. Laundering rugs, clothing, bedding, and curtains, vacuuming carpets and shampooing furniture are some of the many methods also used in the home for prevention to be most effective as fleas will bite humans if given opportunity even if they cannot live on us (we shower too often).
Treatment of ticks is also the same method as prevention. Tick life cycles are similar to fleas and should be treated similarly. Cleansing of the home is less important in this case but ticks are also more apt to be found on humans.
A common misconception is that fleas and ticks are not a risk in the winter months after freezing. In most instances this is true but these parasites simply enter a hibernation-like state. This is why it is recommended that flea and tick prevention also be used year-round. Ticks are less common during these seasons but have been seen in homes where wood heating is used as ticks hibernate on trees and are warmed after being in the home. Fleas survive on wildlife and can enter the home in a similar manner or on the coats of animals that are hunted throughout the season.