Cameron Feathers Webboard User Reg: 03-11-2008
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Loc: VA
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For the first time since moving down here, I have a flea problem. For a short time, I had a roommate (it didn't work out) who had a cat (who never had any flea control). She has moved out, but the fleas remain.
I have used Advantix successfully for a few years, and have on occasion had to bathe them with a flea shampoo after being out in the woods. Living in the south can be a big challenge for fleas.
I treated the dogs a few days ago when I saw a few fleas on one of them, even though it was about a week early for their treatment. 4 days later, they still have fleas. I finally gave them a bath with flea shampoo today, and there were quite a few that came off in the water.
Any suggestions? I used to use frontline, then switched to advantix because it worked better... but this last treatment did nothing. I already vaccummed the entire house, threw away the bag, washed all the bedding and dogs' bedding, pressure washed the outside deck (outdoor carpet)...
Open for suggestions!
When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Mary Velazquez Webboard User Reg: 12-24-2007
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Loc: Texas
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I have found that Frontline Plus works well on our dogs for fleas. when ticks is the problem Revolution is better.
I also use foggers for the indoors and outdoors but keeping the house fresh all the time is usually sufficent because the fleas prefer the dogs. keeping the bedding washed is a huge booster as well.
Saffron K. Hall Webboard User Reg: 01-24-2003
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Loc: Austin TX
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Well being another flea-head I have a couple of suggestions: first and foremost is diatomaceous earth......use liberally outdoors anywhere that the dogs spend time.......it can also be used indoors, in cracks,crevices, under furniture, scrubbed into carpeting and like that. Since it works mechanically there are no toxic side effects and it won't hurt them in the least to even ingest the stuff. As far as knocking out the fleas on the dogs I use Capstar every other day for about 2 weeks while the DE has a chance to work. Frontline and all those topicals seem to have become totally ineffective around here so I use the DE and keep Capstar on hand.....it's a lot cheaper too.
Saffron K. Hall Webboard User Reg: 01-24-2003
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Loc: Austin TX
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edited to add............vacume vacume and vacume some more.....always throwing the bag out every time.....that way you get the hatchlings as they emerge.
Cameron Feathers Webboard User Reg: 03-11-2008
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Loc: VA
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Quote: Saffron K. Hall
Frontline and all those topicals seem to have become totally ineffective around here so I use the DE and keep Capstar on hand.....it's a lot cheaper too.
I was actually wondering if it was starting to become ineffective... crap. I was hoping to hear that there is no way it becomes ineffective, and that I was just simply having a massive wave of fleas.
Where do you get the DE?
When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Karen Rambo Webboard User Reg: 02-03-2006
Posts: 42
Loc: SC
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Hi Cameron,
I live in SC, too and since I have put my dogs on a raw diet including 1 heaping tsp. minced garlic daily, I have not had a flea problem. I also sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the kennels and you can also use it on the dogs if you are careful not to breathe it in or let them breathe it in. I do not use any of the topicals. Another good natural product is neem oil spray. I don't know what part of SC you are in but if you are in the midlands you can get it at 14 Carrot Whole Foods in Lexington or Earth Fare on Devine St. in Columbia. The brand is Ark Naturals. Good luck.
Cameron Feathers Webboard User Reg: 03-11-2008
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Loc: VA
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Apparently, I'm not the only one experiencing a problem out here on the island. (I live on one of the islands just outside of Charleston) My neighbor and another guy a few streets away are having some pretty big problems as well.
For those of you that are not using pesticides, do you have a LOT of flea issues in your area? If there is a way to do this naturally, I'm all for it. I have been using the chemicals because it seems they are the only option when there are a lot of flea issues. The ticks aren't so bad here, but inland a bit, yes. Having shorthaired dogs is nice because the ticks are pretty easy to spot.
When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
I am no flea expert, rather I am just visiting this thread to hijack
My only experience with fleas was last year when visiting Ontario in the Fall. Fleas are very uncommon where I live. I used Revolution when he had fleas from our visiting. I chose it because once he had dog lice (that IS common where I live), and we used that and had no adverse effects.
Where fleas are very common is Revolution effective? It worked for me, but I caught things early and the dog was FAR from infested. I want to pre-treat the dog before I go to Ontario this fall, but want to stay away from anything with Ivermectin in it because of the collie heritage in my breed and past neuro issues.
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