The War on Fleas begins today.

[Zephyrpower]

As I posted earlier, my puppy recently got a case of nasty fleas. I applied Frontline on Mon. afternoon around 530-6pm EST. He's still itching and biting, especially his rear/crotch area. So, I'm not sure if the Frontline is ineffective or if he just got more fleas from the carpet and such in my home, where they are probably all nesting. I really hope the Frontline works, the only mistake I might have made was letting him get a little wet when I took him outside to go pee (it's been raining or drizzling almost non-stop the past few days) and he also took a walk in a light drizzle. So his fur was wet, but not soaked, I hope this didn't rinse the Frontline away. \

Anyways, this is what I plan to do to rid my house of Fleas! I really hope this works.

A. Wash all fabrics/clothes that are/were on the floor with Hot water and Tide
B. Vaccuum the floors. Then rent a carpet cleaner thing and spray the liquid formula to clean the carpet thoroughly.

The other two things I was thinking of doing was to get a Flea Bomb. Someone at my work told me this would be a good idea as long as everyone left the house for 4 hours. I know my roommates are going to be gone all day so today might be a good day to do it. Is this a good idea, or will vaccumming shampooing my carpet be sufficient?

 

[Lola.]

A good thing to keep on hand is Capstar for fleas.

 

[Zephyrpower]

A good thing to keep on hand is Capstar for fleas.

Alright, I'll definetly consider it, but what is that and how much does it cost? Is it a flea bomb? Do you reccomend I use flea bombs or is cleaning the carpet enough?

 

[Herschel]

We washed all of our stuff, the dog's toys, and anything that he touched in hot water. Then we vacuumed our floors and threw away the bag.

After one treatment of Frontline and complete dryness for two days, we haven't seen a single flea since.

 

[showpug]

Advantage works really well and is safe.

 

[Lola.]

Alright, I'll definetly consider it, but what is that and how much does it cost? Is it a flea bomb? Do you reccomend I use flea bombs or is cleaning the carpet enough?

It's a pill that starts killing fleas in about 30 minutes (not a permanent thing either). My vet charges about $3 for one, and I get them from my vet.
http://www.ah.novartis.com/products/en/cab/capstar.shtml

I've never had a flea problem, so I am the worst person to ask, but I do keep Capstar on hand and when my vet gets new rescues in that are flea infested, they are all Capstar'red before going to foster homes.

I live in the south and Advantage works for us.

 

[MomOf7]

The frontline is probably working fine.
The fleas are probably nesting in the house and then jumpin on your poor pup.
Huge suggestion. After vaccuming for the next month change the bag after each time. Take the bag and put it in a plastic bag and take directly to the outside garbage can.

 

[Zephyrpower]

The frontline is probably working fine.
The fleas are probably nesting in the house and then jumpin on your poor pup.
Huge suggestion. After vaccuming for the next month change the bag after each time. Take the bag and put it in a plastic bag and take directly to the outside garbage can.

One problem, I don't have bags...my cleaner is bagless. It's just a container you dump out and a filter. I was thinking dumping the contents in the big city garbage can outside instead of the one inside and maybe I can rinse the filter sponge out a lot with hot water...I hope that works.

 

[Brattina88]

here's an old, but useful trick.

Get a cake pan or something similar and fill it with hot soapy water. Then point a lamp on it (on of those bendy ones are awesome for this) and leave it there overnight in an area that seems be problematic. In the living room with furry carpet in the middle of the floor, for example. Just make sure your puppy is away from it
If you have fleas they'll jump toward the heat during the night, and drown/die in the soapy water. HTH

 

[Zephyrpower]

here's an old, but useful trick.

Get a cake pan or something similar and fill it with hot soapy water. Then point a lamp on it (on of those bendy ones are awesome for this) and leave it there overnight in an area that seems be problematic. In the living room with furry carpet in the middle of the floor, for example. Just make sure your puppy is away from it
If you have fleas they'll jump toward the heat during the night, and drown/die in the soapy water. HTH

Whoaa! Cool idea..I guess since it's free it won't hurt to try!

Also, I think my sister has some flea killing spray I'm hopefully going to be able to borrow and use for my backyard and perhaps inside too. Is there any precautions I should take with that? Perhaps not spray it on anything other than carpet than vaccuum afterwards?

 

[Bowowee]

opcorn:

Good Luck on your war comrade. Use weapons of mass destruction on those fleas.

 

[bubbatd]

Before the once a month treatments came out , back in the 60s I had horrible fleas one summer !! I HATED to do the chemical dips, powders/shampoos/ sprays and of course the collars which dont work ! Had to bomb the house/yard etc ! The cats were the carriers ... it wasn't fun ! With 6 Goldens and 2 cats it cost more than today's K9 Advantix .

 

[blue]

No fleas or ticks in Alaska.

 

[frenchboxer]

I can sympathise with you. My war began yesterday. My vet told me that Frontline was tested where I live, as we have an incredible flea population.. it is AWFUL flea-wise over here. I removed my kitten and dog from the house yesterday, and flea bombed it. I also gave my dog Capstar and she has been started on the Program cycle. We have tried Advantage, Frontline, garlic in food... you name it.. NOTHING works. I am really holding thumbs that this latest tactic will help.

Tip for the vacuum cleaner. Spray some Fleago into the place where the dust is sucked up into. Good luck.

 

[Brattina88]

Let us know how its going

 

[Zephyrpower]

Hey everyone,

I'm back to report on the Flea war. Unfortunately, Pudge still has Fleas....not only that but my roommate's cat has them as well! Great!

Anyways, I got a carpet cleaner and cleaned every room in the house with the regular shampoo that I had leftover from previous times. I figured since it was a chemical it would kill the fleas...Later I found a flea-killer solution in a box of old chemicals/cleaners and I started using that. I used it on all but one room on the first floor. After that I put some cakepans full of soapy water out with light right above them. I didn't catch any fleas but I did trap some other insects.

Anyways, I don't know why Pudge still has fleas. I washed his bedding again recently and since I "think" I cleaned the house pretty well, the only thing I can think that is left is the backyard! So I'm probably going to spray that with this flea Pesticide tommorow evening so it will dry overnight and it hopefully won't harm my puppy.

 

[Zephyrpower]

Tip for the vacuum cleaner. Spray some Fleago into the place where the dust is sucked up into. Good luck.

You mean the container that fills up with dust/dirt and I empty into the garbage?

How will that help? It seems like that would just kill fleas once the vaccumer sucked them up and not fleas that are still in the carpet...Hmm

 

[frenchboxer]

That is a tip I heard from someone, and I believe that it kills whatever may be lurking after you have vacuumed, so that the eggs and fleas are not spread around when you next bring out the vacuum cleaner.

I have to say that I think I may have won the battle . After I bombed the house, gave Phoebe a Capstar, then 2 days later gave her her third Program tablet, I have seen no fleas!! I was very vigilant about cleaning and spraying the house and hopefully it has done the trick. I honestly sympathise with you, as I know how I felt when every little thing I tried failed, but I believe that the Program monthly treatment is the answer to a prayer.

Keep us posted.

 

[Zephyrpower]

Well, unfortunately he is still itching.

I haven't had a chance to spray the yard yet, because I'm not sure how effective it would be since it's been raining a lot lately.

Regardless, I need/want to give him a flea bath. I was at Kroger's looking for some Flea Bath stuff and they had a brand called Zodiac. I was thinking about buying it but when I read the back of the label, it cautionary guidelines made it sound like I was handling toxic waste. The things that worried me the most was when it something about how some dogs may be sensitive to it and also, your'e not allowed to dump the unused remains down a drain of any sort.
Does anyone know of any brands that are more pet/enviromentally friendly and not uber-toxic, insta-death if accidently swallowed or exposed to a sensitive puppy? I was thinking of getting some stuff with Citronella or Tea leave oils or something, but the most important things are something reliable that won't kill my wallet.

Also, are there any reccomendations for flea bombs or cautions I should take with those? I'm sure there will be detailed instructions on the box, so far all I know is your required to leave the house for quite awhile after it's applied...something like four hours or so..

 

[Herschel]

Well, unfortunately he is still itching.

I haven't had a chance to spray the yard yet, because I'm not sure how effective it would be since it's been raining a lot lately.

Regardless, I need/want to give him a flea bath. I was at Kroger's looking for some Flea Bath stuff and they had a brand called Zodiac. I was thinking about buying it but when I read the back of the label, it cautionary guidelines made it sound like I was handling toxic waste. The things that worried me the most was when it something about how some dogs may be sensitive to it and also, your'e not allowed to dump the unused remains down a drain of any sort.
Does anyone know of any brands that are more pet/enviromentally friendly and not uber-toxic, insta-death if accidently swallowed or exposed to a sensitive puppy? I was thinking of getting some stuff with Citronella or Tea leave oils or something, but the most important things are something reliable that won't kill my wallet.

Also, are there any reccomendations for flea bombs or cautions I should take with those? I'm sure there will be detailed instructions on the box, so far all I know is your required to leave the house for quite awhile after it's applied...something like four hours or so..

I think you mean Tea Tree Oil (not Tea leaf oil). Tea leaf oil is used for high-temperature cooking, tea tree oil is used as an anti-septic.