Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Adams™ Spot On® products for Dogs leave a greasy spot on my pet’s back after application and what can I do about it?Adams™ Spot On® products for Dogs contain a coat conditioner called lanolin that causes this greasy spot. The lanolin helps to spread the product over the dog’s skin and acts as a coat conditioner as well. After the product is dry, you may brush through your pet’s fur with a brush or comb for distribution of the treatment and coat enhancing lanolin. In households with cats, do not allow cats to groom a treated dog until after the product is dry.
What's the difference between the regular and water-based Adams™ Flea & Tick Pet Sprays?Adams™ Pet Spray products come in both alcohol and water-based formulas. Some contain adulticides only, while others contain both an adulticide and the Infest Stop™* ingredient, which kills the eggs and causes the female flea to lay sterile eggs. The water-based formulas are slower drying (alcohol speeds up drying process because of evaporation) but are the choice for irritated skin. The water-based formulas contain coat conditioners. The alcohol-based formulas dry quickly and the alcohol has a flushing effect on the fleas, which tends to create a faster kill. Some cats may drool upon tasting the spray on their coat. This may occur with alcohol- or water-based products. This response is generally self-limiting.
Can Adams™ dog products be used on a cat, and vice versa?No! NEVER use flea and tick control products for dogs on cats or vice versa. Cats are very different from dogs so they need special formulas. Only use products labeled for cats on cats. Cats and dogs can have adverse reactions, including death, to certain ingredients in each other’s products. The makers of Adams™ products tailor the products to fit the needs of each animal, and includes ingredients appropriate to each pet.
Can I bathe my pet after applying a topical product?Topical 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 topical products, wait until your pet is completely dry to apply the product.
If I treated my dog a week ago with a topical product and am still finding fleas, can I reapply?For a heavy infestation, you can treat again as long as 8 days have passed since the prior application.
Can I spray my pet's bed with the indoor spray?Adams™ Home Flea & Tick Spray is designed for use on all fabrics. After spraying, leave the area undisturbed for the amount of time allotted on the label. Avoid wetting or saturating carpets or furniture. An evenly-applied spray is sufficient.
Can I use Adams™ Spot On® products while my pet is wearing a flea collar?It is not recommended to use multiple pesticides simultaneously. Always follow package-labeling instructions when applying to animal.
Can my pet be treated with Adams™ flea & tick products if they are on medication?

Adams™ products are not systemically active and have no known adverse interactions with systemic medications.

NOTE: Consult a veterinarian before using this product on debilitated, aged, pregnant, nursing, or animals on medication.

Do I have to bathe my pet first before I use a topical product? How long before this product works?The product can be used after bathing, but bathing is not necessary. Once the liquid has dried completely, it’s okay for children and all family members to have normal contact with treated pets. For maximum effectiveness, we recommend minimizing direct contact with the treated pet until the pet has dried, usually within about 24 hours. Adams™ Spot On® products for dogs start killing fleas & ticks in just 15 minutes.
Do I have to stretch the collar before putting it on my pet?Some collars require that you stretch the collar to activate the insecticide generator. Always read the instructions before using. Collars tend to fit larger pets, and the excess should be trimmed to suit your pet’s size. Consider leaving 1”-3” extra to allow for some growth of your pet if it is not already full size.
Do your flea and tick products have an expiration date?No, flea & tick 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 2-3 years of purchase.
Does Adams™ Spot On® flea & tick control work?After your pet is initially treated, Adams™ Flea & Tick Spot On® products are effective maintenance products that kill fleas and ticks (and deer ticks for cats), and kills and repels mosquitoes for up to 30 days. In addition, they contain the Infest Stop™* ingredient to kill flea eggs and break the flea life cycle.
How can I apply this product to my pet when the warnings say not to get it on skin?When applying an Adams™ product that requires adult skin contact, such as shampoos and dips, always wear gloves. Other products, such as pet sprays, topical products, home products, and yard products do not require adult skin contact. Always wash hands with soap and water after applying any Adams™ products.
How do I apply flea & tick collars?Place collar around pet’s neck, adjust for fit, and buckle in place. The collar must be worn loosely to allow for growth of the pet and to permit the collar to move about the neck. However, the collar should not be so loose that it can be bitten or chewed by the pet wearing it. Generally, a properly fitted collar is one that, when fastened, will snugly slide over pet’s head. Leave 2 or 3 inches for extra adjustment. Cut off and dispose of excess length. Wash hands after installing collar on pet. Under normal conditions, replace collars as directed on the product label. Under conditions of severe infestation and where continued rapid kill is desired, collar may be replaced more often.
How do I apply Pyrethrin dip?SHAKE WELL BEFORE EACH USE. DOGS AND CATS: To kill fleas, ticks and lice thoroughly mix ½ oz. (1 tablespoon) of Adams™ PYRETHRIN DIP with 1 gallon of warm water. For outdoor animals in areas of severe infestations, 2 oz. (4 tablespoons) per gallon may be used. Make fresh solution daily. If animal’s coat is very dirty, bathe first with an Adams™ shampoo. Dip should be applied to dry or damp (not wet) coat. Sponge or dip animal with diluted PYRETHRIN DIP making sure all areas are soaked to the skin. Let drip dry on animal. Do not rinse off! Repeat treatment every 7 days if necessary.
How do I apply a flea & tick shampoo?Thoroughly soak animal with warm water taking 2-3 minutes to wet hair. Apply on head and ears and lather, and 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.
How do I apply Adams™ products?The extensive line of Adams™ Flea & Tick products is specifically designed to treat your cat or dog for fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and several other bugs listed on the package labels. Always read the entire product label before each use. It is a violation of federal law to use any Adams™ product in a manner that is inconsistent with its labeling.
How do I use multiple Adams™ products?

With many different product items in the Adams™ product line, there are numerous combinations which the products can be used. Some of the most common combinations include:

Dips/Shampoos/Sprays: For severe infestation problems, dips are commonly used to provide instant, short-term control. Shampoos are used to cleanse and fight infestation problems and provide instant, short-term control while also acting as a grooming agent. Adams™ shampoos may provide such grooming benefits as detangling and adding luster and a fresh scent to your pet’s coat.

Flea & Tick Collars and Topical Products: Offer residual control. Flea & tick collars or topical products can be used after bathing or dipping an animal although it is not recommended to use multiple pesticides simultaneously. Always follow package-labeling instructions when applying to animal.

Home Sprays, Yard Sprays and Foggers: Provide premise control. If experiencing an infestation, it is sometimes necessary to treat the yard and home to prevent reinfestation. Always follow label and package directions before use.

Never use any Adams™ product in any manner that is inconsistent with the package labeling. Always consult a veterinarian before using any product on debilitated, aged, pregnant or nursing animals or animals on medication.

How long before I can switch to another product after a topical product has been applied?This depends on the product you are switching to. Please contact the Adams™ consumer response line at (800) 234-2269 for more information.
How long before I see no more fleas?In general, most Adams™ Spot On® products kill fleas, ticks and mosquitoes and will continue working for up to 3-4 weeks.
How do I apply flea & tick pet sprays?Cover animal’s eyes with hand. With a firm, fast stroke to get a proper spray mist, spray the head, ears and chest until damp. With cloth, 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.
How long does Adams™ Spot On® treatment take to dry on your pet?Keep your pet from getting wet until the application appears dry. Drying time can take up to 24 hours. During this time, please keep objects away from the area which has been treated. How often do I need to reapply the product(s)?The duration of the product’s effectiveness varies from product to product. Always read labels carefully and follow label instructions before reapplying. Should you bathe pets before or after using Adams™ pet sprays?We recommend you bathe your pet with an Adams™ Flea & Tick Shampoo prior to using our pet spray products. Once the shampoo is rinsed off the pet, the residual activity of the insecticidal ingredient is gone, so it is important to follow up with a maintenance product to protect the pet from new fleas emerging from within their cocoons in the infested environment. Pets must be completely dry before the mist application. What do I apply the product for?Most Adams™ products kill fleas, ticks, lice and mosquitoes. Products can be applied as a preventive or as a maintenance program. Repeat applications may be necessary to treat severe infestations. It may be necessary to wait before reapplying. Always refer to the product label before reapplication. What is the Infest Stop™* ingredient, one of the actives in Adams™ Spot On® products?One of the main ingredients in Adams™ Spot On® products is Infest Stop™ (S-Methoprene). Fleas have a naturally occurring substance called juvenile hormone which normally directs development of flea eggs and larvae. Infest Stop™* is a synthetic analogue (almost an exact copy) of this substance. When Infest Stop™* is applied to these eggs and larvae, it instantly stops them from developing. Adult female fleas exposed to Infest Stop™* lay dead eggs.

What is the difference between pet sprays and flea & tick shampoos?Adams™ pet sprays can be used as a complement to your pet’s regular flea and tick control maintenance program. Pet sprays are applied directly onto the animal to kill and repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Shampoos allow pet owners to cleanse and deodorize and add luster to their pet’s coat while killing fleas, flea eggs, ticks and lice. What is the drying time on all pet, home, and yard sprays?The drying time for pet sprays may take approximately one hour but will vary based on the quantity that is applied to the pet. Home sprays take approximately one hour to dry while yard sprays may take up to 24 hours. Do not allow children or pets to come in contact with areas treated with a home or yard spray until the surface has dried. What type of results can I expect to see?Each Adams™ product treats for specific problems. It’s best to choose the product which best fits your pet’s needs. In general, most Adams™ Flea & Tick products kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes and will continue working for up to 3-4 weeks. Why has the Adams™ Flea & Tick treatment not worked?Generally, after the application of our products, you may see more fleas. This is because the products make the fleas hyper-excited, drawing them to the top of the hair coat before dying. If after 24 hours you don’t see a decrease in infestation, please contact the Adams™ consumer response line at (800) 234-2269. Will my pet get sick if he/she licks himself/herself after I use this product?When adding chemical-based treatments for care, follow the label’s instructions carefully and contact your vet with any questions. Prevent your pet from licking itself for 24 hours. Some pets may drool upon tasting the treatment on their coat. This may occur with alcohol- or water-based products. This response is generally self-limiting.

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