Is there one that you have used with success?
I am having an invasion of fleas...frontline worked for a couple weeks, and then the fleas just exploded. So on Thursday, I got Trifexis for Java, and Comfortis for Buffy (she already had a supply of Interceptor). Yes, and a $600 Vet visit because Java is allergic to fleas.
I know there are still fleas in the carpet, though. I don't see how I can use a fogger, because my 15 yr old blind Java won't go outside anymore.
Or maybe I should wait it out?
Of course, it doesn't help that the neighbors don't seem to treat for fleas...
Vetman said fleas are going to be extremely bad this year because of the warm winter, so I want to get a handle on this early.
Opinions on carpet flea spray wanted
Frontline quit working for me at least 5 years ago. The fleas have become immune to it down here. I originally switched to Advantage, which worked very well. but now mine take Sentinel tablets to prevent both Heartworms and fleas (they've been on it for about 2 years).
I had an awful flea problem several years ago andI had very good luck with (I think it was Sergent's) rug powder called "Rug Patrol", but that was at least 10 years ago, and I honestly don't know if it's available any more. Another option, although it won't give imediate results, is to treat the carpet with 20 Mule Team Borax powder (found in the laundry aisle in most grocery stores - don't confuse Borax with Boraxo, a different laundry product that isn't the same thing). It dries up the flea eggs, but does not affect adult or larval fleas, so you stop the reproductive cycle, but don't get rid of the immediate problem. A professional exterminator is also an option. You will also need to treat the yard. We used to use an over-the-counter insecticide that is now banned, but I honestly don't remember the name of if. Any garden supply or hardware store should be able to recommend something if you want to treat the yard yourself.
In the meantime - bathe the dogs frequently and vacuum often. There was a fairly recent study that showed fleas don't survive being vacuumed up, but to be safe, it's probably best to empty the vacuum immediately after you run it and throw away what was vacuumed up in an outside trash can. Also be sure to wash any throw rugs where the dog likes to lie and dog beds and mop bare floors.
We treated the house, yard, and dogs and haven't had a flea problem for at least 10 years, so there is hope.
I had an awful flea problem several years ago andI had very good luck with (I think it was Sergent's) rug powder called "Rug Patrol", but that was at least 10 years ago, and I honestly don't know if it's available any more. Another option, although it won't give imediate results, is to treat the carpet with 20 Mule Team Borax powder (found in the laundry aisle in most grocery stores - don't confuse Borax with Boraxo, a different laundry product that isn't the same thing). It dries up the flea eggs, but does not affect adult or larval fleas, so you stop the reproductive cycle, but don't get rid of the immediate problem. A professional exterminator is also an option. You will also need to treat the yard. We used to use an over-the-counter insecticide that is now banned, but I honestly don't remember the name of if. Any garden supply or hardware store should be able to recommend something if you want to treat the yard yourself.
In the meantime - bathe the dogs frequently and vacuum often. There was a fairly recent study that showed fleas don't survive being vacuumed up, but to be safe, it's probably best to empty the vacuum immediately after you run it and throw away what was vacuumed up in an outside trash can. Also be sure to wash any throw rugs where the dog likes to lie and dog beds and mop bare floors.
We treated the house, yard, and dogs and haven't had a flea problem for at least 10 years, so there is hope.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Just want to say, there has so far been little evidence that fleas are resistant to Frontline (or Advantage for that matter). The vet community believes it is because owners are not applying the topicals regularly and not treating their environments (or repairing homes with cracks, broken or torn screens etc). Then we have the nutjobs on the internet recommending cheap products, dividing doses between pets, natural crap, etc.
Unfortunately, most of the carpet powders intended to target fleas, contain nasty carcinogens, and if they don't alread contain permethrins (another no-no for almost every pet, and a definite no-no for ALL cats), they contain some other type of carcinogen. Probably minimal for a light one-time application, but the problem lies in so many products, repeated applications, the pet is constantly exposed to more than one product or different types of products.
Vacuuming often, wash bedding in hot water and bleach where possible, seems to be the most safe alternative. Bathing the dogs can help, but you should always wait at least 24 hours AFTER having applied a topical flea preventative before bathing, and try to stay away from flea baths, because again, you'd be exposing the dog(s) to multiple products with differing formulations of ingredients.
A couple of the girls here recommend leaving out shallow dishes with water and dawn dish detergent to attract and kill the fleas, but don't know how effective that is. Plus, of course you don't want pets near these dishes, drinking the soapy water, etc.
Unfortunately, most of the carpet powders intended to target fleas, contain nasty carcinogens, and if they don't alread contain permethrins (another no-no for almost every pet, and a definite no-no for ALL cats), they contain some other type of carcinogen. Probably minimal for a light one-time application, but the problem lies in so many products, repeated applications, the pet is constantly exposed to more than one product or different types of products.
Vacuuming often, wash bedding in hot water and bleach where possible, seems to be the most safe alternative. Bathing the dogs can help, but you should always wait at least 24 hours AFTER having applied a topical flea preventative before bathing, and try to stay away from flea baths, because again, you'd be exposing the dog(s) to multiple products with differing formulations of ingredients.
A couple of the girls here recommend leaving out shallow dishes with water and dawn dish detergent to attract and kill the fleas, but don't know how effective that is. Plus, of course you don't want pets near these dishes, drinking the soapy water, etc.
..........Traci
Re: Opinions on carpet flea spray wanted
Mix a spray bottle with Blue Dawn dish washing soap and warm water. Spray over all areas you think are affected. Carpets, couches, etc. Let it dry completely and then vacuum it up. Of course, keep pets out of that room.
Toss the bag when done. Get a flea collar and put it IN the vacuum bag for future sweeps. There is something in the Blue Dawn that kills them. This worked for me a few years back when the vet overlooked treating the kits for fleas. I had just rescued the litter of 4 and mama. Vet felt the need to deworm but skipped defleaing. Needless to say, flea outbreak for everyone!
Anyway, that's the best non-toxic way I know of.
Dang, now I'm itchy.
Toss the bag when done. Get a flea collar and put it IN the vacuum bag for future sweeps. There is something in the Blue Dawn that kills them. This worked for me a few years back when the vet overlooked treating the kits for fleas. I had just rescued the litter of 4 and mama. Vet felt the need to deworm but skipped defleaing. Needless to say, flea outbreak for everyone!
Anyway, that's the best non-toxic way I know of.
Dang, now I'm itchy.
Re: Opinions on carpet flea spray wanted
Thanks Cleo, I thought it was you who had done that with results.
..........Traci
Re: Opinions on carpet flea spray wanted
Traci, I understand what you're saying, but everyone I know down here has given up on FrontLine. It just doesn't work for us anymore. Even my vet agreed that he saw the same thing with his own dogs. You are fortunate, from a flea infestation perspective -you have very cold winters with a ground freeze that kills them. I've read that it takes a minimum of 72 hours of ground freeze to kill fleas. We never get that cold here, so fleas are a problem year-round.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Opinions on carpet flea spray wanted
Not aimed at you personally, Karen, nor Marty, I was just stating what I've heard/read from the community, practically every vet in practice has clients claiming Frontline doesn't work anymore, but there is no evidence (yet) to prove it (they've even had multiple meetings with Frontline manufacturers and experts in parasitology regarding the issue). In the same vein, I certainly wouldn't rush into some of the newest products claiming effective flea control, we all know how that works out...
I think maybe warmer and longer seasons, where there is no die-off might be contributing (along with increases in the numbers of fleas year round due to such climate). I'm sure humidity isn't helping either. Add to that urban sprawl, (can't refute the wildlife encroachment and pets exposed), and probably a host of other factors not yet explored.
Unrelated but speaking of exploring - you've probably seen the study just recently done (can't remember where), and it's theorized pesticide use is responsible for the honey-bee crisis (haven't we all thought that at some point?). But, as it usually happens, the study is being refuted by certain camps, and surprisingly people are upset because they don't want a ban on those awful, carcinogenic pesticides. Kind of like a darned if you do, darned if you don't kind of situation, we need pesticides for ensuring crops, but can't have them in air or our food supply, etc.
I think maybe warmer and longer seasons, where there is no die-off might be contributing (along with increases in the numbers of fleas year round due to such climate). I'm sure humidity isn't helping either. Add to that urban sprawl, (can't refute the wildlife encroachment and pets exposed), and probably a host of other factors not yet explored.
Unrelated but speaking of exploring - you've probably seen the study just recently done (can't remember where), and it's theorized pesticide use is responsible for the honey-bee crisis (haven't we all thought that at some point?). But, as it usually happens, the study is being refuted by certain camps, and surprisingly people are upset because they don't want a ban on those awful, carcinogenic pesticides. Kind of like a darned if you do, darned if you don't kind of situation, we need pesticides for ensuring crops, but can't have them in air or our food supply, etc.
..........Traci
Re: Opinions on carpet flea spray wanted
Thanks for the input. I guess I'll forget spraying the carpets, although I may try that blue Dawn detergent spray. Buffy, at least seems less itchy today...Java, with her allergies, may take longer.
I will admit to not using Frontline or Advantage consistently, but I can go for years without a flea problem, so why put the stuff on my dogs? Then something happens to change things. This year is obviously going to be different, and they will get treated. Neighbor dog looks like he has had a bath, and hopefully a safe flea treatment (that one might be questionable...).
I've always been alarmed by those people who recommend splitting doses to save money. I'd be the one who made a mistake and caused harm... And all those natural treatments...I have my doubts. One person on another board has 9 or 10 dogs and cats, has used multiple natural methods, and can't figure out why she still has fleas.
I will admit to not using Frontline or Advantage consistently, but I can go for years without a flea problem, so why put the stuff on my dogs? Then something happens to change things. This year is obviously going to be different, and they will get treated. Neighbor dog looks like he has had a bath, and hopefully a safe flea treatment (that one might be questionable...).
I've always been alarmed by those people who recommend splitting doses to save money. I'd be the one who made a mistake and caused harm... And all those natural treatments...I have my doubts. One person on another board has 9 or 10 dogs and cats, has used multiple natural methods, and can't figure out why she still has fleas.
Re: Opinions on carpet flea spray wanted
Marty, I agree, unless there is a heavy infestation, there's no need to apply topicals year-round - after all, all these products are not without certain risks. That said, there are dogs who may need year-round treatment, such as hunting dogs, those who play in water, live in wooded or marshy areas etc and of course, when there are lengthy or abnormal seasons.
Yeah, it drives me insane about the internet "advice", you can refute them til you're blue in the face, but some people just don't get it, or, sadly for the pets, refuse to be educated. It's one thing to do this on your own, it's entirely dangerous to be dishing out bad advice to thousands of innocent pet owners (and two wrongs don't make a right).
Yeah, it drives me insane about the internet "advice", you can refute them til you're blue in the face, but some people just don't get it, or, sadly for the pets, refuse to be educated. It's one thing to do this on your own, it's entirely dangerous to be dishing out bad advice to thousands of innocent pet owners (and two wrongs don't make a right).
..........Traci
Re: Opinions on carpet flea spray wanted
we use frontline as directed for the dogs as needed (If I see a tick clunging or fleas crawling on them), and cats only if I see a flea on one that might have ridden in on a dog or pant leg...
Also, for the outside dogs, I add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 1 gallon of water...it is so diluted they do not taste it...and I have not actually delt with fleas or ticks on them in many years now...something about the vinegar makes their blood taste nasty, so a flea or tick may land and take a nibble, but they do not stick around...
Another thing you can try is a preventative in your yard...beneficial nematodes...they are microscopic species of roundworms --- absolutely safe for humans and pets...that attack fleas, grubs, etc and eat them from the inside out...but they do leave earthworms alone, so you get to keep the good aerators in your soil too!
Also, for the outside dogs, I add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 1 gallon of water...it is so diluted they do not taste it...and I have not actually delt with fleas or ticks on them in many years now...something about the vinegar makes their blood taste nasty, so a flea or tick may land and take a nibble, but they do not stick around...
Another thing you can try is a preventative in your yard...beneficial nematodes...they are microscopic species of roundworms --- absolutely safe for humans and pets...that attack fleas, grubs, etc and eat them from the inside out...but they do leave earthworms alone, so you get to keep the good aerators in your soil too!