Does a Flea Collar Lose Effectiveness?
WouterA flea collar kills fleas by trapping their eggs, larvae and adult stages. Typically, the collar is made of a mixture of plastic resins with appropriate strength and release characteristics. These properties allow the active ingredients to escape the collar at a rate that is effective against fleas, and the inert ingredients to remain in the collar. These components can include polyvinyl chloride, polymethacrylate, or other polymerized polymers.
Flea collars should fit snugly around your dog’s neck, and make skin contact. To check if it is fitting properly, you can use two fingers to poke underneath. If you notice an excess length of the collar, remove it and dispose of it. Also, it’s important to check your dog’s collar frequently for effectiveness. The collar isn’t waterproof, and it will lose its efficacy if it gets wet.
Flea collars are tested for effectiveness by intentionally infesting a dog with fleas. The dog is then put in a wire cage with paper, and dead fleas are counted after 48 hours. After that, the dog is doused with an aerosol insecticide, which should kill the remaining fleas. The paper can be examined six hours later to ensure that no dead fleas are left.
Some flea collars are not effective for a long time. However, Seresto is one of the few that provide continuous protection over a period of eight months. It is also water-resistant, and does not lose effectiveness in sunlight. The product is safe for dogs older than seven weeks old and is made with a combination of 4.5% Flumethrin and 10% Imidacloprid.
