Newshound Ady & Flo www.sunlive.co.nz

Greetings Sunners, it's the time of year to write something about fleas, so here I go – from scratch. Get your people to act now to help prevent flea infestations, they can break the cycle by treating pets and the house at the same time.

VetCare Tauranga practice manager Anita Fellows says an early rise in the number of animals being brought into their clinic with serious flea infestations has vets preparing for a 'flea boom” come summer.
'We're seeing a whole lot of animals really badly infested with fleas for this time of year; it's still cool and it's not in typical flea season yet.
'I think a lot of people have lapsed in their flea control, which has allowed for the flea eggs to build up, and when the right temperatures arrive they
all come to party at once.”
Did you know up to 95 per cent of the flea population does not live on us animals? They go into hibernation in the floors and furniture, and they wait. When the warmer weather arrives, they all start hatching.
Anita says pet owners need to be extra diligent in their pets' flea treatment – and follow the
instructions exactly.
'We do have problems when people don't listen to, or read, the instructions and don't apply it properly.
'Flea control is much better if you do it each month. Many flea controls have wormers in them as well, which makes it easy.”
And don't forget the cat. While you have it pinned to the floor, whisper a little message in its ear from the newshounds: 'We know where you live”.
There are plenty of good products and advice within these pages to help you, and the entire household, have an itch-free summer.
Righto, that's the important stuff out of the way. Now we have some informative questions
and answers.
What insect runs away from everything? A flea. What is the most faithful insect? A flea – once they find someone they like they stick to them. What do you call a Russian flea? A Moscow-ito. What do you call a rabbit with fleas? Bugs Bunny. How do you start an insect race? One, two, flea – go.
What is a flea's favourite book? The itch-hikers guide to the galaxy.
What do you call 144 fleas in a box? Gross!

-Flo