Flea and tick populations are on the rise. Climate change has created ever-more hospitable conditions for pests to proliferate. If you’re an animal lover, this means taking increased precautions to keep biting bugs from attacking your precious pet. In addition to applying flea and tick prevention products, you’ll need something on hand in case an infestation is already underway. To help you fight the war on fleas and ticks, discover more about the best dog flea sprays.
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1. Frontline Flea and Tick Treatment Dog/Cat Spray
Pros:- Reliable performance as with Frontline Plus
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Works for 30 days
Cons:- Not effective on bedding, rugs, or furniture
- Doesn’t offer another layer of protection in addition to topical treatments
- Doesn’t kill on contact
Like the standard topical treatment, this spray bottle version of Frontline uses fiprinol to kill fleas and ticks. This is essentially a spray version of the dosage normally found in tubes, but some users report that this packaging works as a spot treatment and can be very cost effective.
While the bottle price is quite a bit more than the others on this list, Frontline is a proven product that many trust to keep control pests. Go with this one if you already trust the Frontline name and don’t need to treat bedding or home fixtures.
Find more Frontline Flea and Tick Treatment Dog/Cat Spray information and reviews here.
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2. Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Home Spray
Pros:- Safe, natural ingredients
- Kills on contact
- Won’t stain
- For use on dogs and household surfaces
Cons:- Smell may deter some cats from bedding
- Strong scent (though most describe it as pleasant)
- Some users reported limited effectiveness
This spray covers all the bases. It kills fleas, flea eggs, and ticks on contact and repels mosquitoes. The key ingredients to this spray are all-natural peppermint oil and clove extract, which means its safe to use around your animals and your kids. It contains no permethrin, so it’s safe to use in a household with cats.
For animals over 12 weeks old, spray and massage into the entire coat, repeating as necessary to kill any pests feasting on your dog. This handy spray is safe for all surfaces of your house. Choose this one if you need a natural solution that doesn’t rely on serious chemicals to get the job done.
This is available in sizes ranging from eight ounces to 96 ounces if you want to have a lot on hand. There’s also a cat formula, dog shampoo, yard and kennel spray, and pet wipes.
Find more Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Home Spray information and reviews here.
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3. Virbac Knockout E.S. Flea/Tick Spray
Pros:- Advanced solution for serious infestations
- Works for seven months
- Does not stain
Cons:- Not for use directly on animals
- Contains permethrin, which is lethal to cats
- Claim of 2,100 square feet of coverage may be generous
Opposite the Frontline above, this product is not meant for use on animals. This is a heavy-duty spray intended to destroy infestations. If you’ve been struggling with fleas for some time, this might be the solution for you.
This is considered an area treatment and is more akin to a can of Raid than the other products on this list. The manufacturer claims that one can is enough to treat 2,100 square feet of space, and prevent the return of ticks for seven months.
If you have a cat, though, be warned: this product contains permethrin, which can be lethal to cats. If you’re very careful in your application and your cat never ingests any, it may be fine, but we wouldn’t risk it. This option is for dog-only homes with stubborn flea populations.
Find more Virbac Knockout E.S. Flea/Tick Spray information and reviews here.
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4. Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray for Cats and Dogs
Pros:- Kills on contact
- For use on animals and upholstery
- Works for two months
- Repels mosquitoes
Cons:- Not a natural product
- Strong smell
- New formulation removes permethrin (safer for cats, but could be less effective)
Like the Vet’s Best, this product can be sprayed directly on dogs or on furniture. It immediately kills, fleas, flea eggs and larvae, and ticks, while also repelling mosquitoes.
It differs from Vet’s Best in that this uses chemical formulations instead of natural oils, which might contribute to better performance but also could be a concern for some buyers.
This version of the product removes the permethrin, which means it can be used on both cats and dogs, if you have a mixed household. A few reviews noted that the recommended dosage seems high, so read the instructions and use your best judgement when treating your pet. This is a good all-purpose solution that should get the job done.
Find more Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray for Cats and Dogs information and reviews here.
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5. Dr. GreenPet All Natural Flea and Tick Spray
Pros:- All natural
- Nice scent
- Can be used on both dogs and furniture
Cons:- May not be as effective as others
- Some reports of staining light-colored dogs
- Possibly better as a repellent
If an all-natural product is important to you, consider this option. It’s formulated especially as a repellent using cedar, clove, peppermint, and cinnamon oils to drive off fleas and ticks. This is certainly a safe alternative for your dog and for anyone else who may be living in your home.
Since it’s billed to repel, we’re not sure it’s the best choice for knocking down an infestation, so choose this for its natural ingredients rather than its killing power.
Find more Dr. GreenPet All Natural Flea and Tick Spray information and reviews here.
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6. Wondercide Natural Flea, Tick, & Insect Spray Kit
Pros:- Kit to treat entire environment
- Naturally derived with no harsh chemicals
- Choice of pleasant scents
Cons:- May not work as well as chemical options
- May need to be applied 2-3 times per week
- Lemongrass scent may temporarily discolor surfaces
Getting rid of fleas requires treating the entire environment, so this kit from Wondercide includes just about everything you need to do just that. With this kit, you get a home surface spray, a pet spray, and a yard and garden spray to naturally rid your home of pests.
The key to these are the use of cedarwood oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, lemongrass oil, and sesame oil to kill a wide variety of insects on contact. The home spray covers ants, roaches, spiders, and many others, while the pet spray kills fleas including larvae, ticks, and mosquitos, as does the yard spray.
For the home and pet sprays, you can choose between lemongrass or cedar scents, both of which are far more pleasant than a lot of options on this list. Each of the bottles hold 32 ounces, though you can get the pet spray in four, 16, or gallon sizes, as well. Additionally, when bought separately, both the pet spray and home spray are also available in peppermint and rosemary.
Unlike a lot of products on this list, this has to be used much more regularly to get the best results, around two or three times a week. The pleasant aromas should make that an easy sell, though.
They also make a Pet Parent Kit focusing on flea and tick as well as itch control on your pets, or you can get their shampoo bar for baths.
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7. Vet-Kem Siphotrol Plus II Premise Pest Control Spray
Pros:- Kills fleas, ticks, ants, and cockroaches
- Covers 2,000 square feet
- Prevents reinfestation for seven months
Cons:- Meant as a spot treatment rather than a whole area
- Not for use on animals
- Not safe until dry
This heavy duty option combines a little bit of everything to control a variety of pests in your home. Meant for carpets and upholstery, this can also be used on pet bedding provided it dries before your dog uses it again.
This is a spot treatment that kills not only fleas and ticks, but ants and cockroaches, as well, making it a one-bottle solution to a few different problems. One bottle covers 2,000 square feet, though it’s not really meant to be applied to large areas.
This is definitely a harsh chemical and requires proper ventilation after use and for all living things to stay out until it has dried. That said, if you’re having problems with multiple pests or other solutions haven’t worked, you could give this a try.
They also make a pump spray that kills all of the above bugs, as well as silverfish and earwigs, as well as one that kills mosquitos, gnats, and horse bots. They offer a dog and cat shampoo in either 12 ounce or one gallon bottles, as well as foggers and a yard spray.
Find more Vet-Kem Siphotrol Plus II information and reviews here.
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8. PetArmor Home and Carpet Spray for Fleas and Ticks
Pros:- Kills ticks, bed bugs, lice, dust mites, and fleas in all stages
- Eliminates odors
- Works for seven months
Cons:- Only covers 500 square feet
- Not for use on animals
- May need to be combined with other products
Much like their once-a-month topical pet treatment we put on our flea and tick prevention for dogs post, PetArmor offer a relatively inexpensive option to compete with the bigger brands on the market. This is similar to the Hartz offering, but expands on it by killing not only ticks flea adults, larvae and eggs, but also bed bugs, lice, and dust mites.
This also contains an odor eliminator, further incentivizing use on furniture and carpets. It aims to prevent reinfestation for seven months, but this is another offering where the price is low enough that re-application after just a couple won’t break the bank.
To fully solve your flea problem, this should be combined with their animal topical treatments, the spot treatment that kills an even wider variety of bugs, and their carpet powder.
Find more PetArmor Home and Carpet information and reviews here.
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9. Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea & Tick Home Spray
Pros:- Very inexpensive
- Eliminates odors
- Kills ticks and flea adults, eggs, larvae and pupae
Cons:- Not as long lasting as some other options
- Not for use on animals
- Some units ship with the top poorly secured
When treating furniture, floors, and other home environments, you’ll probably want something that kills fleas and doesn’t smell offensive. This offering from Hartz includes an odor eliminator, leaving behind a fresh scent.
It kills both ticks and flea adults, eggs, larvae, and pupae to break the reproduction cycle and limit the possibility of reinfestation. While it claims to work for seven months, the actual results are usually shorter than that. Still, at this price, you can afford to buy and reapply liberally many times before spending as much as some of the others on this list.
It should be noted that the chart on the product page says it doesn’t kill larvae, but both the bottle and the manufacturer’s website says that it does. Also, this is for treating surfaces only – you’ll want to get the UltraGuard Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs (or Cats) to apply to your pets and increase the chances of a successful treatment by using both.
They also make a carpet powder if you want to more thoroughly treat every surface.
Find more Hartz UltraGuard Plus information and reviews here.
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10. Natural Care Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs
Pros:- Kills fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes
- Kills on contact and can be sprayed on pets
- All natural product with no harsh chemicals
Cons:- May not be as effective as other options
- May stain some surfaces
- Some don't like the smell
Another option focusing on essential oils rather than harsh chemicals, this offering is meant to kill fleas in all stages, ticks, and mosquitos on contact. The continuous-spray gentle mist should work for most animals as you can use this directly on them.
The core ingredients of this are peppermint oil and eugenol, the latter of which is derived from cloves. This may not be quite as effective as harsher chemical formulations, but it’s a good first option for people trying to avoid those or for those with newer flea issues.
In addition to this spray, you can also get carpet powder, shampoo, and collars.
Find more Natural Care Flea and Tick information and reviews here.
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11. Enforcer EFT166 Flea & Tick Spray
Pros:- Prevents reinfestation for 100 days
- Kills fleas and ticks
- Tropical coconut scent
Cons:- Some don't like the smell
- May be slightly better as a long term inhibitor than spot killer
- Somewhat pricey
Combating fleas requires not only that you kill the ones you can see, but break the lifecycle. When people think common flea treatments aren’t working as they should, much of the problem comes down to reinfestation rather than failing to kill the fleas present.
The focus of this product is on providing lasting limitations to insect growth – 100 days worth, made possible by the chemical Nylar, which prevents larvae from developing into adulthood. This also contains an insecticide that will kill adult fleas and ticks, but the long term benefits may help you finally solve the flea problem.
It’s scented with coconut to prevent the heavy chemical smell of some other options. This works on both the animals themselves and their environment. For even better results, pair with Enforcer Flea Killer for Carpets.
How Do I Get Rid of Fleas?
Solve a flea infestation is a multi-step process, parts of which must be repeated several times before you have thoroughly rooted out the issue.
There's a nice guide on the Terminix website that explains the various areas to look into and steps to take. They begin with using a flea comb on your dog to determine the problem at the source. Next, you'll want to choose or consult with your veterinarian about flea treatments for dogs, which typically involve a monthly topical dose or a collar.
To kill the fleas you find on your dog instantaneously, use one of the sprays for animals on this list. A few thorough baths may also be required using high-quality dog shampoo.
Once you've done that, you can address the fleas in the carpet and upholstery in your home. Using the flea sprays on this list, treat these materials and let dry. Then vacuum thoroughly. Though most of the eggs and larvae will hopefully be dead, there will always be a few areas the spray can't quite reach and physically removing them increases your chances of success.
This is the step that most people don't do, which leads to the perception that flea treatments don't work. Vitually all flea treatments on the market are highly effective, but they're only effective on what they can touch. Without repeated vacuuming over the course of ten days to as much as a month, you'lre likely to get reinfestation.
The same is true for repeated spray application, as well. While the topical flea treatments for dogs are a once-a-month task, you should spray more regularly than that to ensure thorough disruption of the flea lifecycle.
Flea Sprays for Dogs vs. Flea Sprays for the Home
Much like spray insecticide for outside use, flea sprays kill fleas, ticks, and mites on contact or contains ingredients that repel them. Unlike spray insecticide, however, many flea sprays are meant for use both on the surfaces of your home and directly on your dog.
This means that you can provide instant relief to an itchy dog and then use that same bottle to rid your carpets, rugs, and upholstery of eggs, larvae, and adults. However, some sprays are really only designed for one or the other.
Read the bottle carefully to determine whether or not a given spray is meant for one or the other or both. Some brands, like Hartz makes one for dogs and one for home surfaces, while other brands like PetArmor make only a house spray because they also offer a monthly topical treatment, as well.
Options like Vibrac Knockout and Vet-Kem Siphotrol Plus II are only meant for the house. Typically you can tell the difference if a product expresses how many square feet it's meant to cover.
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