Mary Allen
In the fall, hedgehogs are increasingly found in people’s gardens, as they are looking for a home for the winter. This means that dogs and cats are more likely to come into contact with small insectivores. However, many hedgehogs are not alone and are teeming with fleas. The hedgehog flea is not limited to the hedgehog as a host but extends to dogs, cats, and humans as well. Here’s how you can prevent an attack on your furry noses, or what you can do if your animals already have fleas.
Flea and Tick Prevention is a Good Idea in the Fall
If your pets are curious and sniff a little curled-up hedgehog, transmission can occur. Direct contact is not necessary for flea infestation. Your animals can also find small bloodsuckers on the sleeping place of hedgehogs and become infected. Therefore, they should be protected from fleas and ticks even outside summer.
If your dogs and cats come across an unprotected hedgehog, you should immediately check the coat with a flea comb. Then spread the comb on a damp tea towel and carefully examine the combed coat. If the kitchen towel turns reddish around the combed coat, the animal is infected with a flea.
In the Event of an Infestation, it is Important to Control Eggs, Larvae, and Adult Fleas
Just like other bloodsuckers, the hedgehog flea can transmit infectious diseases. First of all, you need to find the source of the flea infestation. The flea is then difficult to identify in order to use the correct control. If infected, fleas also live in carpets and upholstered furniture, as well as in floorboards, for example. There are several ways to deal with it. Some remedies fight against already grown fleas (pyrethrum or synthetic pyrethroids), while others prevent the hatching and development of larvae (methoprene).
After one to two weeks, the control measures should be repeated to avoid re-contamination with missed eggs. Fleas can also transmit tapeworms. Therefore, after the invasion, you should definitely think about deworming your four-legged friends. If your dog has been affected by a flea infestation, it is best to see your veterinarian. He can give you flea medicine.