Trials have exhibited that Advantage stops fleas biting within three to five minutes of application, and kills 98 to 100 per cent of fleas within 12 hours. The rewards are particularly seen in flea-allergic animals, where flea saliva (injected when the flea feeds) induces the hypersensitivity. With the practically immediate cessation of feeding stopping further activation of an itchy pet's immune system, Advantage is recommended for use in cases of flea-allergy dermatitis.

Imidacloprid, an active component in Bayer's Advantage , is a selective nervous stimulant in pests. Imidacloprid leads to overstimulation of the flea's central nervous system, producing a spastic paralysis and then death. It's a safe and effective topical product for the control of fleas in dogs and cats.

It acts on insect nerve receptors, causing excitation of the nerve and muscle contraction. It binds to this receptor and energizes the nerves to shoot off an impulse for a sustained muscular contraction.

This will cause a spastic paralysis. Cat fleas show an intense shaking of the legs and pumping activities of the entire body. Imidacloprid then prevents any further nerve conduction. The prolonged contraction damages muscles and nerves, causing disintegration and leading to the death of the parasite.

The compound substance is extremely harmless for pets and for humans applying it. Mammals have similar receptors, but at a much lower concentration and a different structure and function compared with insects.

Sub-lethal doses of imidacloprid are also detrimental, as they can repel the pests, stop feeding, prevent reproduction and greatly reduce activity. Imidacloprid does not require the flea to bite the host to be effective. It is very lipophilic (fat-loving) and is absorbed through the insect's body wall and quickly transferred to the target nerves.

"Trials have proven that Advantage stops fleas biting within three to five minutes of use, and kills 98 to 100 per cent of fleas within 12 hours."

Advantage is registered for the treatment and prevention of fleas (Ctenocephalides spp) on cats and dogs. It will provide protection for dogs for a month and up to a month on cats. It controls both the adult and larval stages of fleas.

Imidacloprid itself is not effective in preventing ticks. However, when combined with the permethrin in Advantix, it is successful against all four tick types affecting dogs in the US (Brown Dog Ticks, American Dog Ticks, Lone Star Ticks and Deer Ticks) for a month.

Advantage for cats - right here at Advantage for Fleas is your best bet. When applied in the "Top Spot" formulation, Imidacloprid is distributed covering the skin surface of the treated pet within 12 to 24 hours of application (depending on the size of the animal), and into the fatty layer of the skin and over the hair for 28 days after application, guaranteeing it will remain effective for a month in both dogs and cats.

The product also supplies enviromentally friendly flea control when it's shed from the animal with hair and dead skin cells, as imidacloprid is also toxic to flea larvae. Advantage kills flea larvae within 20 minutes of contact and checks larval development by 99 per cent.. As flea eggs will fall from the pet in the same areas as skin and hair cells helps to ensure the product focuses the environmental control where it is most necessary.

Advantage is claimed to be water-fast, so swimming will not have an effect on the usefulness of the product. However, owners should note that shampooing might remove the fat layer carrying the product, so this should not be performed more than once a week to avoid limiting effectiveness.

Advantage is harmless to mammals, both pets and human beings. When applied topically, only an very small fraction is absorbed into the body, with the rest remaining in the lipid layer of the skin and the hair.

It is also acceptable to use in pregnant animals. It will not cause deformities of the young, nor trigger abortions, nor will it cause cancer in treated pets. It is not dangerous if accidentally ingested, however the solvent base has an unpleasant flavor and will probably result in frothing at the mouth, specifically in cats.

Advantage here at Advantage for Fleas is the Best Value. The product is applied on cats at the base of the skull, where they cannot lick it off. Skin reactions are rare and are generally a result of an allergy to the solution rather than chemical irritation. If applied to an eye it can cause slight soreness for two weeks.

Advantage is authorized as safe for use with pregnant and lactating pets and treatment can be done again weekly in greatly-infested surroundings. While Advantage is known as safe in youthful pets, it is not recommended for use with young dogs less than seven weeks old, or kittens less than eight weeks of age. However, treating the mother while the young are still nursing will protect them as well. This is referred to as the 'umbrella effect' and is believed to arise because of the close contact between mother and young and the physical transfer of either the product or fleas impacted by it.

There is no minimum age stated for use in ferrets or rabbits, although the lingering effect is shorter than in cats and dogs.

All preparations of imidacloprid are topical liquids, which should be put on at four-weekly intervals to the bottom of the head with cats and between the shoulder blades for dogs. It is safe to apply the product more than this if required.

With good sized dogs in excess of 25kg (55lb) the product should be applied in three regions: one between the shoulder blades, a second in the mid-line of the backside between the hips, and a third in between the first two to ensure it is successful. There are two explanations for this. Firstly, it avoids the flea treatment flowing off the animal's back, as there is quite a large volume to be applied, and secondly, it increases the transport of the product around the body.