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How to Get Rid of Sticktight Fleas

| Updated September 26, 2017

Things You'll Need

  • Insecticide shampoo

  • Latex gloves or rubber gloves

Sticktight fleas are parasites that have been known to attach themselves to dogs, cats, chicken and other birds. A sexually mature female will mate and then attach herself to her host, dropping eggs as she goes along. The eggs will feed on their environment, including adult flea feces. They are not known for transmitting diseases, but a secondary infection can occur on the feeding site. To rid your yard or farm of sticktight fleas and/or larvae, pesticides geared toward fleas should do the trick. But remember, if you're treating an area that is frequented by animals, make sure that the insecticide will not harm them.

Washing the Animal

Put on the gloves.

Wet your animal down with water. Rinse off all excess hair.

Pour some shampoo on your animal and work it up to a good lather. Make sure all areas of the body have been scrubbed thoroughly, including in between the toes, and inside the ears. Be sure not to get the shampoo in the animal's eyes.

Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the shampoo to work, and rinse the animal thoroughly.

Search over the animals body for any sticktight fleas that may have not died. These fleas can be removed with tweezers and an antibiotic cream applied directly afterward.

Tips

  • Antibiotic treatment of the feeding site is crucial. Although these fleas are not known to transmit diseases, it is important to avoid infections that are present in an environment that includes farm and/or outside animals. Triple antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, is an acceptable antibiotic treatment. To rid your yard or farm of sticktight fleas and/or larvae, pesticides geared toward fleas should do the trick. But remember, if you're treating an area that is frequented by animals, make sure that the insecticide will not harm them.

Warnings

  • Do not get the shampoo into your animal's eyes. This will cause extreme irritation and possible blindness. Keep out of reach of children.