Flea Problem

[i am a giraffe]

So my two dogs have been scratching and I just saw a flea hopping around on the floor. I have a box of Frontline that I bought from the vet when we first got the dogs, but I've never used it because I heard that these topical flea treatments are like pesticides that the dog absorbs into its skin, which I think is kinda weird.

I've managed to avoid any pest problems until now, but I really don't want to use the Frontline; is there any other way to get rid of the fleas, and keep them from coming back? We have tile throughout the apartment, and the bed and couch are the only two things besides the clothes in the closet that could really harbor any fleas.

 

[Saje]

http://www.vitalitymagazine.com/node/384

Try that stuff. As long as you don't have an infestation and catch it soon enough it should do the trick. Make sure you wash get their bedding It's hard on the lungs so try not to inhale it.

 

[i am a giraffe]

I'm not sure if we have a full blown infestation or not. I've had a bucket of diatomaceous earth around but it's hard to apply it to target fleas; the dogs sleep and have full access to the bed and couch, so they don't have any bedding to apply it on, and the whole apartment is tile, so I can't really work it into the floor.

I think I'm on the road to taking care of the problem though. I had the sheets, comforter, and couch cover laundered, and then I vacuumed the whole apartment and washed both dogs, and then vacuumed the apartment again. I made an herbal flea spray that I spritz on the dogs, and I started supplementing garlic. I also got a flea comb. It seems to be working so far, the dogs haven't been scratching, and I just keep vacuuming everyday to pick up possible flea eggs.

 

[puppydog]

There is nothing wrong with Frontline. It is a very good treatment.

 

[noludoru]

So my two dogs have been scratching and I just saw a flea hopping around on the floor. I have a box of Frontline that I bought from the vet when we first got the dogs, but I've never used it because I heard that these topical flea treatments are like pesticides that the dog absorbs into its skin, which I think is kinda weird.

Yep. And they can be dangerous. I'm sure they aren't "good" for any dog, but they don't seem to do a lot of harm to most.

 

[Ruby M]

Basically by many accounts, you may want to be careful of BioSpot (lots of toxic reports, seizures in dogs) and Promeris has had so many horror stories its on snopes.com as a myth! Advantix is harmful and even fatal to cats and Advantage and Frontline have been prtty much safe from any toxic controversy. I switched over to Advantage after using Frontline for a few years. No complaints with them!

 

[mutley]

I use frontline for my bedlington as he seems to be a tick magnet and it controls both.
For my other I use advantage now as the frontline dyed her coat - but she didn't have any ill affects from it, just my preference for her

 

[mrandrei]

I used to cure the flea problem of my dog using orange peels and grapefruit peels. It's really effective!

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Sorry to follow you around, lol. ^ But those things are not okay to use around cats. Just an FYI as many dog owners on here have cats as well.

 

[doglover83]

I've used Frontline for years and I've never seen a flea. They didn't get wet after you put it on them did they? You also have to remember when you have an infestation, and it sounds like you do, it will take time to get rid of everything. You don't just have fleas but you have eggs, ect. to get rid of. Try and stick with one thing for a few months and see how it works.

 

[borzoimom]

Outside of the chemicals discussed- I have found that one simple daily action makes a huge difference.. Running the vac daily! I am totally serious. Fleas live mostly in the environment, not the pet. By running it daily it helps so much to control fleas.