I thought it might be helpful to detail some of what I've learned in a 2-year long war with fleas. I'll describe what’s worked for me and some of the products I’ve had success with, but this is only my experience. Everybody with fleas has to do their own research, trial and error, and weight the risks vs benefits. I hope others will add their experiences too.

The first thing I needed to do battle with fleas was a change in attitude. First, to admit that I had fleas, and then to understand that if your dog has fleas (or even one flea) you are in for a very long war, to be fought on numerous fronts, in a series of battles, with a competitor that is highly evolved to beat you at this game. So know that going in.

I no longer believe it is possible to be flea free (i.e. "now they are gone, so we’re done with that problem forever.") It is an issue that I will have to stay on top of as long as I own dogs. It's like dealing with mosquitos or houseflies--they are ubiquitous and cannot be eradicated; only kept under control.

Even if you kill every flea on your dog, they are in the carpet, upholstery, and potentially every fabric in your house.

Even if you kill every flea in your house, viable eggs and pupae remain to hatch tomorrow.

Even if you kill every flea and egg in your house, there are millions more in your yard.

Even if you eliminate every flea and flea egg in your yard, another hundred more rode in on the last squirrel that hopped over your fence.

To say nothing of your inability to control fleas in the park, training facility, or anywhere else your dog goes.

So the war is fought on several fronts: On the dog (and this is potentially a multi-strategy campaign)--in the home--and in the yard.

ON THE DOG:

I've tried every one of the topicals (Advantix, both kinds, BioSpot, Frontline, generic Fipronil) and they probably all worked about the same for me, which is to say they weren't enough to do the job alone. I'm told that some flea populations are becoming resistant to these drugs. I’m confident they don’t work for a full month anymore, despite what it says on the package. 3 weeks is a better frequency (and my vet said this was safe and appropriate.)

Ultimately, none of these topicals was the right answer for me, and we switched to Comfortis, a prescription oral med that kills fleas.

Why the switch? Bathing. Nothing provides quicker action to rid your dog of fleas than a bath. You don’t even really need a "flea shampoo"--any shampoo made for dogs will do. I use a gentle aloe-based shampoo that is soothing, mild to the skin, and doesn’t over-strip the coat. Frequent bathing is also helpful for dogs with other allergies (pollen, mold, other inhaled allergens). Plus, mine are house dogs. They lay in my bed. I like to give them baths. And with the topical flea meds, I was constantly battling the need/desire to bathe with "I just put on the flea drops." I know the package says the stuff is waterproof. My experience says different. Even more troubling for me was the ineffectiveness of the topicals when applied within a couple of days after a bath. Apparently, after bathing, the dog doesn't have enough skin oil to adequately distribute the topical med, so it's not as effective. That was my experience and my frustration with these drops. If you don’t want or need to bathe your dogs very often, and use them every 3 weeks, the topicals might be the answer for you.

The oral med Comfortis was effective in killing fleas, my dogs all tolerated it well, my vet said it was safe, and it allow me to bathe as often as I want or need to. So far, so good. Again, there's risk vs reward with any treatment. Your evaluation might be different. It's not a perfect solution. But no single weapon will be in this battle.

There is also a product called Trifexsis that combines Comfortis with Ivermectin. I tried that too, but found it too expensive, and I prefer to stagger the Comfortis med with the monthly heartworm treatment rather than a double dose on the same day. But that's just me.

Next problem: Comfortis doesn't repel fleas, it only kills them when they bite your dog. Which is great, because, hey, dead fleas. But even the bite from a flea about to die causes an itch.

So, I've found that in addition to the Comfortis, a repellant is helpful when we are going to the park or anywhere where they are likely to be exposed to fleas. I tried several. The one I like is a cedar-oil spray called "Best Yet"
http://www.cedarcide.com/product/best-yet-organic-bug-spray/

Seems to work quite well, although its effectiveness is short-term. Smells strongly of cedar. But it's not greasy in the coat or overly obnoxious. I now use it as a regular part of grooming.

The other new tool in my arsenal is a flea comb. Buy a good one, with a comfortable handle. Not only does it help diagnose a flea infestation, it can help physically remove fleas or flea debris from the hair coat. Mine get a going over weekly (down the spine concentrating on the base of the tail, hindquarters. If there are fleas on the dog, that's where they are. Frequently going over the dog to look for the signs of fleas (flea dirt and flea bites) can help you catch problems before they get worse.

I tried some other of the "natural" repellant products, including DE and Neem-based products, but was never happy with the mess it left in the dogs' haircoat. Probably works better on some coat types than others. And probably is less noticeable on a light-colored dog than a dark one. At any rate, I abandoned powder-based products pretty quickly after trying them. Not because they weren’t effective, but because I didn’t like having dusty dogs.

IN THE HOME:

Wash everything that is washable in the hottest water possible. If it's not washable, (such as pillows or soft toys) put it in the dryer and tumble it on high heat. If neither is possible, spray it (more on that later.)

Learn to love vacuuming. Daily vacuuming has, I believe, been one of the most effective things we've done to keep fleas at bay. Keep in mind that the contents of the vacuum likely contain viable flea eggs and pupae, so you need to empty the bag or canister into a plastic bag, tie it shut, and get rid of it quickly.

Spray. Or call an exterminator. I first called an exterminator who came in and sprayed our house. It cost me more than $200, and I still had fleas. Being the do-it-yourself-type, I started researching. The exterminator guy I hired looked no smarter than me. He just had better chemicals.

http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/conquer-liquid-insecticide-p-70.html

http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/archer-igr-p-365.html

These two products have worked for me. Why two? One is an insecticide to kill adult fleas. That’s pretty much the easy part. The other is an insect growth regulator to control eggs/pupae/and the reproductive ability of future fleas. This is even more important than the insecticide. In order to stop having fleas (or at least gain the upper hand) you have to control their insane ability to reproduce.)

Read the directions. Buy a small pump sprayer like a garden sprayer. You mix the products with water. Spray your carpet, baseboards, couch cushions, and anything else where fleas might lurk. It has very little smell (none after drying)—and has been fabric-safe on everything I’ve sprayed it on. Let it dry for at least 4 hours or so before you or the dogs go back in.

Yes, these are poisons. Yes, I'm okay with that. Use your own best judgment on what works for you. Every three months or so, I have done follow-up spraying, especially in rooms where the dogs spend most of their time.

Again, there are "natural" options, which I tried. DE is one. Some people have success with it. I needed the big guns.

IN THE YARD:

You can use the same spray as inside (above). I have. You can also buy ready-mixed hose-end sprays at Lowes or Home Depot stores (garden section) that are listed for killing fleas. They have to be repeated frequently; every few weeks during the season. I do this before bed, after the dog’s last trip outside. That way the bug spray has all night to dry before the dogs step on it.

Dealing with fleas has been one of the most frustrating things I've ever done. It can be maddening. (How can something I can't even see outsmart me so?...) It is only recently that I finally feel like I have them under control. But I’m not reducing my vigilance. Still vacuuming daily….

What's worked for you?

"Dealing with fleas has been one of the most frustrating things I've ever done. It can be maddening. (How can something I can't even see outsmart me so?...) It is only recently that I finally feel like I have them under control. But Im not reducing my vigilance. Still vacuuming daily."

+1

And it's only last year (2012) that I felt like I had it under control. And as you say, that just means I'm on top of it .... not that the problem is gone.

Your post is bookmark-worthy.

Wow I am just happy I live in a place where fleas are a rarity, in 28 years I have never had a dog with fleas.

When I worked at the vet clinic it was a HUGE deal when a dog from the states came in with them. All the vets were getting the staff to come look so we would know what they looked like! LOL

Sounds like quite a war, but you seem to have the upper hand at this point

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Your post is bookmark-worthy.

Sure is! Thank you, Tracy, for sharing such detailed and comprehensive information.

We live in southern CA and there are fleas here, although in our area not as many as Tracy is having trouble with. We all use Borax powder in the carpets and the cracks between hard floors and floorboards. You only have to do it one a year or so and it really gets rid of the fleas - it dehydrates them so the adults and the eggs can not survive.

There is a company called Flea Busters that uses a powder made from borax and they do it for you, but most of us just get the Borax (it's in your laundry detergent section of the store) and sprinkle in on, then rub it in with a clean stiff broom. Leave it for 48 hrs before you vacuum, but vacuuming will not remove the borax if you have worked it down into the carpet well. Within 2 weeks all the adults and eggs are dead. I like this method because it is not a pesticide and will not harm humans or pets. Combined with Frontline we have not had fleas in a long time.

I bought Logan a Shoo! Tag for fleas. Since he has been wearing it, he has stopped scratching and I can't find any fleas on him, or bites. So far its working great.

There are cats next door that are covered in fleas, so spraying the yard has had little effect. I have always used advantage on him but with the cats next door it didn't do much good. Last year I tried Flea Free in his water and that helped a lot.

Great info!

The borax. Is this the "detergent booster"? I've seen it in the laundry section says "Twenty Mule Team Borax detergent booster and multi-purpose household cleaner"

I may have to give this a try! It's cheap and sounds easy and if it works, that's awesome!

May try the "conquer" concentrate mentioned also.

The tag sounds interesting also.

Just found out the people next store have an s-load of cats/kittens. Had no idea how many until recently and they roam all over the place. Thinking that is where the fleas are comin from as I never had a problem before the cats came along, maybe a coincidence, but maybe not.

Tracy, that was a great post.

I find every 3 wks is good timing for topical medications.

Mychal--if you decide to spray your home, I'd suggest you also use an IGR product (insect growth regulator)--the second product linked in my post above. Or similar.

The first product is an "adulticide." It kills adult fleas. But does nothing to prevent eggs and larvae from maturing into more fleas.

The usual caveat--this is my experience. Everyone is responsible for their own research and judgment using chemicals in your home or on your animals. I'm not an expert at anything, or endorsing any products.

Put a flea collar or possibly borax in the vacuum bag.