Can Fleas Become Resistant to Flea Control?
WouterA common question pet owners have is, can fleas become resistant to flea control? Unfortunately, fleas can become resistant to flea control because they can become tolerant to chemicals used to kill them. This is especially common with over-the-counter flea treatments. Because fleas don’t require a host to survive, they will continue to lay eggs as long as they are around your pet.
In some cases, it may be difficult to determine whether the resistance is a result of the chemicals used on the pests or by the environment. To help prevent resistance, veterinarians should identify and monitor flea populations for signs of insecticide resistance. Early detection is crucial for developing alternative treatments. Resistance management programs aim to improve the efficacy of host-targeted therapies.
One obvious strategy to combat resistance is to provide education to pet owners about the risks associated with fleas and ticks. While veterinarians cannot force clients to use a monthly flea control product, they can offer a variety of options to control the parasites and protect pets. In particular, veterinarians must educate clients on how to apply flea-control products properly and monitor their pets. If a flea-control product is ineffective, the veterinarian must switch to a different one.
In some cases, the eradication of fleas is necessary to keep pets healthy. However, using flea-control products without the proper precautions can make the problem worse. For example, one client told me about an incident in which their Labrador retriever slept under a baby’s crib. When she treated the Labrador with spot-on flea treatment, newly-hatched fleas jumped on the baby.
