Natalya Zahn Webboard User Reg: 12-22-2006
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Loc: Cambridge, MA
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This sounds like such an atypical diagnosis for fleas - finding them on countertops and in a tiled bathroom? instead of on the pets or in bedding/carpeting (unless you're seeing them there as well, Kevin). Fleas like warm bodies and soft, fibrous places to hide... The way I'm familiar with discovering a flea issue is with bites (human or pet itching), flea dirt on the pet, or noticing them on animals. And when you do see the actual flea, they're pretty unmistakable with their vertically flat bodies... and they don't crawl around like most bugs, they tend to "disappear" easily by jumping away. I'm wondering if this is just some other type of bug... not to say you shouldn't proceed with the DE or other de-pesting options... just try to get a good look at what you have.
Thanks Natalya. I first noticed them in my bathroom downstairs (All of downstairs is tile except a rug). I saw a few running around the bathroom floor and one up a shoe I had in the bathroom. Small, but visible enough to see running. Makes me think they are not fleas since they were scurrying rather than jumping.
I have noticed more itching and scratching as of late, but attributed this to environmental allergies. There is a lot of pollen blowing around with the winds we had last week (we don't get much wind here except in the summer with the monsoons).
Do fleas never scurry around? The second time I noticed them they were on the counter top where a drop of yogurt was. I haven't noticed anything distinct on the dogs. I look on Bella's body, she has a white undercoat and did not see fleas, nor any droppings. This was late last night, so I will check again when I get home today.
Lynne Barrows Webboard User Reg: 09-22-2007
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Loc: S. Florida
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Fleas don't scurry; they just hop! They're not yogurt eaters.
(You can see them crawl on a dog's skin though...)
If you have a flea comb(or any comb), run it though your dog's coat at the base of the tail and make sure to get the comb all the way to the skin. Scrape off anything that's on the comb into a dish of warm water. If it turns pinkish, that's flea dirt, which is mostly comprised of blood from the dog.
PS I was posting at the same time that Aaron was; that'll work too...
Natalya Zahn Webboard User Reg: 12-22-2006
Posts: 1824
Loc: Cambridge, MA
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Quote: Aaron Myracle
Get a big ol' white bedsheet and lay it out on the livingroom floor, and take a comb to all of the dogs.
If its fleas, you'll see plenty of evidence on the sheet when you're done.
Good suggestion.
Honestly, this doesn't sound like fleas to me, from what you've described - among all the other things that don't align, fleas aren't remotely interested in food (that isn't blood ), so they wouldn't be attracted to crumbs, drips, etc. in the kitchen. Check the dogs - fleas that are bad enough to be visibly bouncing around the house would DEFINITELY leave visible trace on your pets.
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Re: Fleas!?!
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), so they wouldn't be attracted to crumbs, drips, etc. in the kitchen. Check the dogs - fleas that are bad enough to be visibly bouncing around the house would DEFINITELY leave visible trace on your pets. 
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