Scratching about for a cure

For the past two years my six dogs have been plagued with fleas. Dosing them with fipronil has helped in the short term as, too, has putting their bedding onto a bonfire. A friend says this might not be enough because the fleas/eggs could still be nestling in the wood-built kennels. Is this possible?

If so, can you recommend a spray that will nip the problem in the bud?

Your friend is right, of course. Only around five per cent of fleas at

Neil says:

any one time will be present on the dog. The rest will be busy laying eggs in the environment. Your problem is two-fold. Firstly, you may not be using the most effective flea treatment. Newer products, which come in the form of spot-ons and chews claim to have superior efficacy and duration of treatment. I have certainly seen dogs that were infested with fleas despite recent fipronil treatment, although it must be said that this could be due to incorrect application or because of high flea numbers in the environment.

Secondly, as your friend identified, you must do something about the eggs and larvae in the environment. Again, newer spot-ons will eventually achieve environmental control, as the active substance is shed in bedding areas in skin dander.

Use of highly effective products will also “mop up” fleas over a period of months but environmental sprays (of which there are many, such as Acclaim Plus and Staykill) are recommended. (Be careful if you have fish! They kill them).