Seed Ticks & Frontline

Frontline can kill seed ticks and adult ticks.

Frontline is the name brand for the insecticide fipronil. There are many Frontline products for pets, including sprays and topical drops. Seed ticks are another name for tick larvae. Frontline can kill seed ticks.

Types

Species of adult and seed ticks killed by Frontline include the brown dog tick, the American dog tick, the lone star tick and the deer tick. The deer tick is responsible for transmitting Lyme disease.

Function

Fipronil kills ticks by interfering with the normal functions of the nervous system. The tick adult or larvae become paralyzed and then dies within 24 hours.

Warnings

Frontline is for use on the bodies of dogs and cats but not people. Contact a doctor if a person swallows Frontline or if it gets in a person's eyes. Use latex gloves to apply Frontline to a pet, and wash hands immediately if contact occurs. Contact a vet if a dog or cat eats Frontline.

References

• North Carolina State University Extension: Ticks
• Pet Place: Fipronil (Frontline)
• "The Pill Book Guide to Medication for Your Dog and Cat"; Kate A.W. Roby, VMD, et al; 2008
• Frontline: Helpful Resources: FAQ

Resources

• Frontline
• Pet Place: How to Remove and Prevent Ticks in Dogs
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Tickborne Diseases of the U.S.