FAQs
Flea and tick products can often be confusing and lead to lots of questions. We’re here to help you find answers to those questions so you can best care for your pet. Use our FAQ guide below to find answers to your questions about pests, our products, and many other issues you face as well.
SPOT ONS
Are there any special precautions I should take when applying Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On for Dogs?
It’s important to read and follow all label directions before using any flea and tick product. Individual sensitivities can occur with the use of any flea and tick product or any medication or food. If a pet shows any signs of sensitivity, our labels recommend bathing the pet with a mild soap and rinsing with water. If the signs continue, a veterinarian should be consulted. Our label also recommends consulting a veterinarian before use if a dog is aged, debilitated, medicated, nursing or pregnant.
Can Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs be used at the same time as other flea control products?
As with all on-animal insecticides, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian before using this product with any other flea and tick control product or drug. But, it shouldn’t be necessary to use another product on your dog at the same time you use Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs. Using another on-animal product will not provide better protection. Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs provides up to 30 days of continuous control of adult fleas and ticks. It helps prevent future infestation by killing flea eggs. For best results, use Bio Spot® indoor premise or yard products to reduce flea populations in your pet’s environment.
Can I use Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs instead of a flea collar or dipping my dog?
Yes. Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs provides an easy-to-use alternative to collars and dipping.
Can I use Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs on puppies or nursing females?
Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs should only be used on dogs older than 6 months of age. It should not be used on debilitated, aged, medicated, pregnant or nursing dogs without consulting a veterinarian.
Can I use Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs year-round?
Yes, Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs may be used any time of the year that your dog needs protection from fleas, ticks or mosquitoes. Applying Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs to your dog in late winter is an excellent way to prevent fleas from infesting your house in the spring.
How can a few drops of Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs protect my dog from fleas?
Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs concentrated formula contains active ingredients in a handy topical application. Dips and sprays are nearly all water or other carriers. Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs’ ingredients move through the oils in your dog’s coat and skin to kill and repel fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.
How does Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs break the flea life cycle?
Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs kills flea eggs and adults. Since the eggs are killed, fleas will not develop into biting adults and the life cycle is broken.
How is Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs distributed over the dog’s body?
The ingredients in Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs are spread through the oils in the dog’s coat, moving from hair to hair as the dog moves. It contains the natural coat conditioner Lanolin to ensure even application. Depending on the length and thickness of your dog’s hair, a greasy spot may appear on your dog’s coat. This is not harmful to your dog. We recommend brushing the area 24 hours after application. Ensure that you wash your hands with soap and warm water after grooming.
How often should I use Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs?
It is recommended that Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs be applied every 30 days.
Is it okay for my pet to groom or lick itself after applying Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® products?
Normal grooming after application is expected and should not be a problem when Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® products are used according to label directions. The amount of active ingredients in each dose is just enough to be effective against a flea, tick or other targeted insect. The pet, which is much larger than the targeted pest, should not be affected by this small amount of active ingredient. It is best to keep cats from grooming other cats until the product has dried.
I applied Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Cats to my cat who was able to lick some of the product. He/she is now foaming at the mouth. What should I do?
Since the taste of the product is bitter, cats that ingest the product will sometimes hypersalivate. This is a taste reaction and will usually resolve when the cat is given a treat such as milk or tuna.
Is it okay for children to play with dogs who have been treated with Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs?
Once the liquid has dried completely, it is okay for children and all family members to have normal contact with treated dogs. For maximum safety and effectiveness, we recommend minimizing direct contact with the treated spot until it has dried, usually within about 24 hours.
Will Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs still work after my dog gets shampooed or wet in the rain?
Yes. If your dog sometimes gets wet in the rain or you bathe him with a mild shampoo, Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs should still work. However, if your dog gets wet often or is bathed with a detergent soap, some of Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs’ active ingredients may be washed away, thus reducing efficacy. Bio Guard® Shampoo from Central Life Sciences has been developed to wash up your pet without washing out his flea control protection.
Will Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs take care of all my flea problems?
As with all flea and tick control products, Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® for Dogs should be used as part of a program aimed at reducing flea populations in your dog’s environment (bedding, carpets, kennel, yard).
Can Bio Spot® dog products be used on a cat, and vice versa?
NOTE: NEVER use flea and tick control products for dogs on cats. Cats need special formulas. Only use products labeled for cats on cats. Cats and dogs can have adverse reactions to certain ingredients in each other’s products, including death. Though both products do contain etofenprox and methoprene, the dog and cat formulations are very different and each should be used according to the directions on the label. Bio Spot® brand tailors the products to fit the needs of each animal, and includes ingredients appropriate to each pet.
Can I bathe my pet after applying a Spot On® product?
Spot On® treatments can take up to 24 hours to dry. Refraining from bathing your pet during this time is recommended. If you do choose to bathe your animal prior to adding Spot On® products, wait until your pet is completely dry to apply the product.
Can I reapply if I treated a week ago with Spot On® product and am still finding fleas?
No, Spot On® products are only to be used every 30 days. We recommend that you also treat your home and yard if you are still finding fleas after one week. You may use other treatment methods such as sprays, shampoos and dips after week 3 of the Spot On® application.
GENERAL
Is it necessary to treat my home or yard?
The adult fleas you see on your pet are only 5% of the total flea population. The remaining 95% of the fleas are found in your home and yard in the form of eggs, larvae and pupae. Since Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spot On® products contain an Insect Growth Regulator which will break the flea life cycle, application of the product alone will eventually control the flea population. However, if you have a heavy flea infestation, treating your home and yard with an appropriate product will result in faster control.
How can I apply this product to my pet when the warnings say not to get on skin?
When applying a product that requires adult human skin contact, such as shampoos and dips, always wear gloves. Other products, such as mists, topicals and Premise Control Products do not require skin contact with the pet. Always wash hands with soap and water after applying any products.
If my pet has a lot of fleas, can I use more than one on-animal product at a time?
As with all on-animal insecticides, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian before using this product with any other flea and tick control product or drug. It shouldn’t be necessary to treat your pet with more than one product at the same time. Using two products at once will not kill fleas & ticks faster, or more completely. Since most of the flea stages are found not on the pet, but in the environment, it is best to treat the environment in addition to treating the pet.
Do Bio Spot® products have an expiration date?
No, Bio Spot® products do not carry expiration dates. Our products will remain effective long after their date of manufacture when they are stored according to label directions. For best results, we recommend using any flea and tick product within 2 to 3 years of purchase.
How do I protect against fleas and ticks for myself?
It is very important to treat the home environment with Premise Control Products, such as carpet powders, carpet sprays, room foggers and home sprays the same day the pet is treated in order to maintain proper flea control. All areas the pet frequents must be attended to including the home, garage, finished basement (or basements where the pet spends a lot of time), kennel and yard. In situations where the infestations remain a persistent problem even after initial treatments, treatment of attics or crawl spaces should be considered. Vacuuming is a very important part in gaining control of a flea infestation. Vacuuming before the initial treatment, and daily (or every other day) thereafter for the next few weeks is very effective at removing the newly emerged fleas and flea dirt, eggs and some larvae from the carpets. The efficacy of the actives is not compromised by the vacuuming process. Steam cleaning, as a regular household activity, should be done before treatment, since it removes the products’ active ingredient from treated areas.
How does an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) work?
An IGR mimics an insect hormone involved in egg hatching and insect maturation to the adult stage. When exposed to an IGR, insect eggs fail to hatch and die before becoming biting adults. An IGR does not kill adult insects.
FOGGERS
Do I really have to shut off my appliances when using your foggers?
Turn off ALL ignition sources such as pilot lights (shut off gas valves), other open flames or running electrical appliances that cycle off and on (i.e., refrigerators, thermostats, etc.). Call your gas utility or management company if you need assistance with your pilot lights. Use only when building has been vacated by human beings and pets. Ventilate area for 2 hours before re-entry.
How do I apply Bio Spot® Room Fogger?
Foggers save labor by providing broad coverage of each room in which they are set. However, the foggers do not fumigate, nor are they crack and crevice aerosols. They do not penetrate enclosed spaces, under/over doors or around walls. The ingredients are propelled upwards until they come in contact with a surface (usually a ceiling). They then bounce off that surface until reaching another surface (a wall), and then settle downward, similar to an umbrella distribution. Any surface (such as a wall, counter, furniture, etc.) will cause an obstruction. During settling, the actives will travel to a degree under items that have adequate clearance (6 inches or more), but will not get under things that are close to the ground (dust ruffles around furniture or beds, etc.). In order to ensure maximum effectiveness of mist distribution, select a fogger appropriate for the square footage of each room/area being treated, rather than the overall dimensions of the whole house. Handheld products will prove more effective than foggers when treating rooms that have vaulted or extended ceilings, rooms with indoor pools or fountains, or multi-level rooms. Directions for use: Use appropriate-sized fogger for each room/area in the entire house. If no obstruction (wall) divides two rooms, one fogger may be adequate. To maintain an even distribution of ingredients, all fans, air conditioning units, heaters, etc. should be turned off and all windows closed before activating fogger. Turn off ALL ignition sources such as pilot lights (shut off gas valves), other open flames or running electrical appliances that cycle off and on (i.e. refrigerators, thermostats, etc.). Call your gas utility or management company if you need assistance with your pilot lights. Remove all people and pets (mammals, birds, reptiles, etc.) for the amount of time specified on the label. Cover fish bowls or tanks with plastic wrap and turn off aerators. Regular green houseplants can be left in the treatment area. Exotic, tropical or in-bloom plants can be covered or removed during treatment, in order to avoid affecting the blooming. All open food should be covered. Open all cupboards and drawers and remove contents. The fogger should be placed on a few pieces of newspaper, either on the floor or on an elevated surface (depending upon label instructions). Leave area undisturbed for 2 hours. Check label for further instructions. Dishes, counter tops and tables should be washed off with soapy water.
CARPET TREATMENT
How do I apply Bio Spot® Carpet Powder?
Shake powder evenly across surface. Brush lightly with broom to force powder deep into carpet where fleas and their larvae exist. Wait at least 60 minutes before (lightly) vacuuming to remove visible surface powder. For maximum efficacy, delay vacuuming for up to 24 hours. When emptying vacuum bag after use, wrap contents or disposable bag in several layers of newspaper and discard in trash. Treat pets with a registered flea and tick control product prior to re-entry.
How do I apply Bio Spot® Inverted Carpet Spray?
INDOORS: Thoroughly vacuum all carpeting, upholstered furniture, drapes, along baseboards, under furniture and in closets. Seal vacuum bag and dispose of in outdoor trash. Spray Bio Spot® Inverted Carpet Spray from a distance of 2-3 feet from surface being treated. Apply with a smooth back-and-forth motion to carpets, drapes, rugs and upholstered furniture. Avoid wetting or saturating carpets or furniture. An evenly applied fine mist spray is sufficient. Do not spray wood furniture, floors or trim as water spotting may occur. Repeat treatment as necessary to eliminate fleas and ticks. Apply directly to exposed insects: roaches, ants, spiders, crickets, centipedes, waterbugs, silverfish and sowbugs.PET BEDDING: Treat pet bedding and resting places. Apply a uniform spray to nearby cracks and crevices, along baseboards, window sills, door sills and localized areas where fleas, ticks or lice may be present, as these are primary hiding places for these pests. Removal and replacement of pet bedding after treatment is not necessary.
Do my pets need to be out of the home when treating with Bio Spot® carpet spray, and if so, how long?
Leave the area undisturbed for one hour. Remove all people and pets (mammals, birds, reptiles, etc.) until the spray has dried. Cover fish bowls or tanks with plastic wrap and turn off aerators.
SHAMPOOS
How do I apply Bio Spot® Shampoo?
Thoroughly soak animal with warm water taking 2-3 minutes to wet hair. Apply on head and ears and lather, then repeat procedure with neck, chest, middle and hindquarters, finishing legs last.Let animal stand 3-5 minutes (this is an important part of the grooming procedure), then rinse animal thoroughly. For extremely dirty or scaly animals, the above procedure may be repeated.
PET SPRAYS
How do I apply Bio Spot Defense™ Flea & Tick Spray?
Cover animal’s eyes with hand and with a firm, fast stroke to get a proper spray mist, spray head, ears and chest until damp. With fingertips, rub into face around mouth, nose and eyes. Then spray neck, middle and hindquarters, finishing legs last. For best penetration of the spray to the skin, direct spray against the natural lay of the hair. On longhaired dogs and cats, run your hand against the lay of the hair, spraying the ruffled hair directly behind the hand. Make sure spray thoroughly wets ticks.
YARD & GARDEN SPRAY
How do I apply Bio Spot® Yard & Garden Spray?
HOSE END SPRAYER: Easy to use. For application to lawns, outdoor ornamentals, outside surfaces of buildings and other outdoor residential areas. 32 ounces treats up to 5,000 square feet. Snap off tab on top of sprayer before first use. Make sure knob Control lever is in the OFF position. Shake well and attach to hose. Turn water on at faucet, aim nozzle toward lawn and turn knob Control lever to ON to begin spraying. When finished, turn Control lever to OFF position. Turn faucet to OFF position. Discharge residual water pressure by turning ON and OFF again. Store out of reach of children. Do not spray animals. People and pets should not be allowed in treated areas until spray has dried. 3 Easy Steps To Mix and Apply: For lawns, measure the area to be sprayed. Calculate square feet by multiplying length by width. Use a clean sprayer. Carefully measure and mix the amount of concentrate and water as directed. Spray as directed. Thorough coverage is important. Flush sprayer with clean water after each use. Make applications when insects first appear. Repeat applications as directed. See directions for complete insect list. Use dilution rates as indicated. 1 fl. oz. = 6 tsp. or 2 Tbsp.; 8 fl. oz. = 1/2 pint or 1 cup. Food utensils such as teaspoons or measuring cups should not be used for food purposes after use with insecticides
COLLARS
Are Bio Spot® Flea & Tick Collars waterproof?
The collars are waterproof. Even if the collar becomes wet, it does not lose its effectiveness. Even so, most people find it helpful to remove the collar when bathing to get the animal fully clean, and then reapply when the animal is dry.