Common Myths About Fleas

1. People with Dirty Houses Get Fleas - Unfortunately even the most spotless house can get infested by fleas. Fleas usually enter the house on your pets, so if your pets spends any time outdoors and you live in an area with fleas, it is important to protect them with a natural flea repellent at all times.
2. Chemical Spot-On Flea Products Are an Easy and Safe Way to Prevent Fleas - They are easy, yes, but their safety is a topic of much debate. There have been so many reports of adverse reactions in pets to the popular chemical spot-on products, that the EPA has begun an investigation into their safety. You can read more on the EPA website here.
3. Chemical Flea Collars Are an Easy and Safe Way to Prevent Fleas - Flea collars for pets that use chemicals as a repellent are also the subject of much controversy due to reported side effects and studies showing potentially harmful chemical residues transferred to pets. The Natural Resource Defense Council has even filed suit in California to block the sale of these products. An article with more details can be found here.
4. Fleas Live on pets, Not in the House - Fleas usually enter the house on pets, as stated above, but they can quickly find refuge in the cozy environment in the house. Carpeting, pet beds, and furniture can quickly become homes for fleas. If you find fleas in the house, you should quickly take action to eliminate them.
5. If I Have Hardwood Floors, My House is Safe - Unfortunately fleas can live in the cracks of hardwood floors, and around the edges of tiled floors. And as mentioned above, they can also take refuge in furniture, bedding, and area rugs.
6. Once My Pet is Rid of Fleas, The Problem is Solved - Fleas do not leave easily, and they reproduce very quickly. Up to half of a flea population can be in the form of eggs or in the larval or cocoon stage, and it can take weeks for an egg to hatch and turn into a flea. If you have seen fleas on your pet or in house, you need to be vigilant for months. The best approach is prevention, so always treat your pets with a natural flea repellent if they spend time outdoors.
7. There Are No Fleas in the Winter - Although the flea population may disappear in the winter in cold climates, they can live comfortably on in your house. If your pet or your house had fleas during the warm months, keep a watchful eye out during the winter months as well. And of course fleas can survive in many warm Southern climates all year long, so flea control is a year-round battle there.
8. My Veterinarian Can Most Effectively Treat Fleas - It is not a bad idea to consult your veterinarian about flea control, but be wary of the chemical flea control products mentioned earlier. We recommend trying to find a holistic veterinarian who can guide you on natural flea control products. One resource for finding a holistic veterinarian is the website for the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.
9. Natural Flea Control Products Don't Work - Although many natural flea control products don't have to go through EPA-mandated tests because they aren't classified as pesticides, this doesn't mean that they don't work. People all over the country use the natural approach to flea control effectively, and although it is not always as easy as using chemicals, you can rest assured that the products are safe for your pet and your family.
10. A Healthy Pet Won't Get Fleas - While not completely accurate, there is some truth to the fact that a healthy animal is a less attractive host for fleas. That's one reason why it is important to start with a high quality diet of natural food as a base for good health. Even a healthy pet can get fleas, however, so you must keep a watchful eye out and use a natural flea repellent even on healthy pets.