Flea Collar Effectiveness
A flea infestation is inevitable if you don’t employ multiple measures to prevent it. One weapon in your flea control arsenal may be a flea collar, but are flea collars effective?
There are three basic types of flea collars available in the market: insecticide, herbal and electronic flea collars. Insecticide and herbal flea collars release chemicals whereas electronic ones emit ultrasonic sounds to get rid of fleas and ticks.
Flea collars are effective, but more so in certain areas. For example, they are much more effective on the front half of the pet’s body, i.e. the head and neck area, than the tail end. This is why collars are more effective against ticks because they stick to the head and neck area.
Compared to flea drops, flea collars are somewhat less effective, but generally a safer option depending on your selection. Because many pets are extremely allergic to flea drop treatments, their owners may opt for a flea collar instead. However, it should be noted that even flea collars can cause pets with sensitive skin to develop an irritation (often called flea collar dermatitis) in the neck area.
For those pets with highly sensitive skin, we recommend selecting an herbal flea collar. While herbal flea treatments may be less effective and take longer than conventional insecticides, you can rest assured that your pet is much safer.
Only if your dog is rugged and spends a lot of time outdoors, should you consider the insecticide collars. The insecticide released by these flea collars stay on for up to 12 months, which ensures a year around protection against fleas. For outdoor dogs it may be the only option to avoid repeat infestations. That said, insecticides should always be a last resort.
