(and Mange)

Small, worm-like larvae (1/16 to 3/16 inches long) hatch from the eggs within 48 hours. They are eyeless, legless, and sparsely covered with hairs. The larval body is translucent white with a dark colored gut that can be seen through their skin. They feed on adult flea feces, consisting of relatively undigested blood, which dries and falls from the host's fur. They will also eat dandruff, skin flakes, and grain particles. Larvae develop on the ground in areas protected from rainfall, irrigation, and sunlight, where the relative humidity is at least 70% and the temperature is 70o to-90oF. This stage lasts eight to 24 days, depending on the temperature and humidity. These immature fleas will eventually spin silken cocoons in which they will develop (pupate) into adult fleas. Cocoons are sticky, attracting dirt and debris which will easily camouflage them. Under optimal conditions, new adults are ready to emerge from their pupal cocoons within two weeks. They can, however, remain in their cocoons up to 12 months in the absence of a host or unfavorable climatic conditions. Vibrations and/or elevated temperature stimulate adults to emerge. This ability of flea pupae to wait until a host arrives can result in a sudden increase of adult fleas when they emerge simultaneously from many accumulated flea pupae.

Adult fleas are not only a nuisance to humans and their pets, but can cause medical problems including flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), tapeworms, secondary skin irritations and, in extreme cases, anemia. Although bites are rarely felt, it is the resulting irritation caused by the flea salivary secretions that varies among individuals. Some may witness a severe reaction (general rash or inflammation) resulting in secondary infections caused by scratching the irritated skin area. Others may show no reaction or irritation acquired after repeated bites over several weeks or months. Most bites usually found on the ankles and legs may cause pain lasting a few minutes, hours or days depending on one's sensitivity.

The typical reaction to the bite is the formation of a small, hard, red, slightly-raised (swollen) itching spot. There is a single puncture point in the center of each spot. (Ants and spiders leave two marks when they bite. Mosquitoes, bees, wasps and bedbugs cause a large swelling or welt). Also, fleas may transmit bubonic plague from rodent to rodent and from rodent to humans. Oriental rat fleas can transmit murine typhus (endemic typhus) fever among rats and from rats to humans. Tapeworms normally infest dogs and cats but may appear in children if parts of infested fleas are accidentally consumed.

Fleas are excellent jumpers, leaping vertically up to seven inches and horizontally thirteen inches. (An equivalent hop for a human would be 250 feet vertically and 450 feet horizontally.)

Insects are made up of a high concentration of protein. When Kleen Green Enzymes is introduced to the insect, the enzymes act and can cause the insect to molt (shed its outer coating) prematurely. Poison pesticides attack the nervous system of the insect, which is not always effective.

Steam clean or vacuum thoroughly every day for two weeks. Dilute KLEEN GREEN ENZYMES at a ratio of 1oz. plus 7oz. of water. Spray or use in a carpet cleaner machine on and around carpets, rugs, baseboards and floors. Kleen Green is safe to spray on furniture if needed. Rinsing or wiping with clean water may be necessary if heavy applicaton is used.

Spray yards and crawl spaces with KLEEN GREEN or salt water (salt water will also kill plants).

Sprinkle baking soda/borax, or gardener's lime. Repeat as needed.

Steam clean and/or rinse-and-vac with diluted KLEEN GREEN ENZYMES. This will remove dried blood, carpet fibers and other debris, diluted excrement, flea larva and their silk, eggs, pupal cocoons, adults, feces and other food sources. Carpet is the perfect flea environment!

Use a hose-end sprayer and spray the yard (1-2 oz. per gallon) KLEEN GREEN to control outside flea sources. Note: 90% of opossums in urban Midwest areas are infected with fleas. Hot summer temperatures (especially when dry) normally prevent fleas from developing. Only shady and moist areas need to be sprayed.

• Spray or bathe pets with (4 oz. per quart) KLEEN GREEN, and wash bedding weekly in KLEEN GREEN and Borax.
• For Fleas & Ticks: Stand your pet in a container and soak them with warm water. Dilute 1oz of Kleen Green into 7oz.of water to make pet shampoo. Wet hair around neck and hind quarters first to prevent fleas traveling to these areas. Then wet down remainder of pet's coat. Take care to avoid eyes.
• KLEEN GREEN IS SAFE TO APPLY TO PUPPIES AND KITTENS WITH FLEAS AND/OR MANGE.
• Using a brush or your hands, gently massage over the entire body of your pet and leave on four approximately 3 minutes. Rinse completely with warm water and fleas and ticks will be washed away!

• Routinely monitor population levels and keep a log of your observations.
• Restrict your pet's access inside your home.
• Vacuum on a weekly basis during the year, daily in late summer and early fall when flea populations increase. Dispose of the filled bags by burning, composting or sealing in a black plastic bag. Or, place in the freezer for a few days or in a sunny location outside in a black plastic bag to "cook".
• Wash all pet bedding/rugs weekly.
• Flea comb your pet regularly. Dip the comb in soapy water or Kleen Green.
• Bathe or spray your pet with Kleen'em Away Naturally if the flea population starts to build up.

Vacuuming on a regular basis throughout the year will keep developing flea populations low by picking up adult and egg-stage fleas.

Vibrations caused by vacuum cleaners will stimulate new adult fleas to emerge from their pupal sacs. These new adults will either be exposed to any residual insecticide on the floor or captured in the next vacuuming.

Vacuuming is not very effective at capturing flea larvae in carpeting because they coil themselves around the fibers. Vacuuming does, however, pick up the dried blood that larvae feed on.

Use vacuum attachments to clean cracks and crevices. Caulk or seal these openings permanently.

Most fleas will be killed when dust in the vacuum bag blocks their breathing apparatus, but to be sure, you can vacuum up a tablespoon of cornstarch. The used vacuum bag should be disposed of immediately.

Vacuum badly infested areas thoroughly every day until the infestation is controlled.

Dogs have many parasites, both internal and external. Internal parasites are those which live in the various organs inside the dog's body. External parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, live on the outside of the body.

Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites. Two different types of mange mites are significant in dogs. One type lives in the hair follicles of the skin (demodex or red mange), while the other type resides just under the surface of the skin (Sarcoptic). Although both types of mites share some similar characteristics, there are also important differences. It is important not to confuse the two types of mange because they have different causes, treatments, and prognoses.

Contributing Factors
The sarcoptic mange mite is highly contagious between dogs. Exposure to a dog infested with this mite will likely lead to spread of the parasite.
Prevalence
Sarcoptic mange is a common parasitic skin disease of dogs.
Causes/Transmission
Sarcoptic mange is caused by a mite that burrows just beneath the surface of the skin. It may also crawl around on the skin surface. This mite feeds on material in and on the skin.
Clinical Signs
The presence of the sarcoptic mite causes severe itching. The dog will chew and scratch its skin constantly. This leads to the loss of large amounts of hair, especially on the legs and belly. Eventually, the skin will become thickened and will darken due to pigmentation. Frequent scratching and rubbing often leads to secondary skin infections.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made by a skin scraping that is examined under the microscope. However, only a small number of mites may be present. Because of this, a dog may be strongly suspected of having sarcoptic mange but multiple skin scrapings are negative. A presumptive diagnosis can be made because the signs are quite typical. Age is not a significant factor in sarcoptic mange. Although most common in puppies, dogs of all ages are at risk.
Nontoxic Treatment for Dogs and Puppies / Cats and Kittens
Dilute 1 oz. of Kleen Green Naturally Enzymes into 7 oz. of water. When batheing pet, be sure to wet down fur around the neck and hind quarters first. This prevents fleas/mites from traveling to the face and ears and anal area. Bathe dog or cat by applying generous amount of diluted enzyme onto the pet's coat. Work into a lather and allow product to remain on pet for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Kleen Green may be applied with a spray bottle to any affected area by spraying liberally and allowing to dry. No need to rinse. Kleen Green is is safe to apply to puppies and kittens. As with all products, please use caution and avoid eye contact.
Prognosis
With appropriate therapy, the prognosis for recovery is excellent. Re-infestation from a contaminated environment or other dogs is possible. Transmission to Humans.
Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious to other dogs; it is also contagious to humans. The dog's bedding should be washed in hot water with bleach or, preferably, discarded. The mites are not able to complete their life cycle on humans; therefore, they will die in a few days without treatment. However, they will cause quite a bit of itching before they finally die.