Question about Flea control

[Kelarie]

We use Frontline Plus for flea control but it seems to only work for a couple of days, then the scratching is back. Any suggestions at what works best at killing fleas or keeping them under control. We vacuum with a flea control powder for the carpets.

Ugh, tired of it and I know the dog and cats are to.

Suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks,
Kellie

[azsnowman]

Wish I could help, I own 3 dogs, all search and rescue, drug detection dogs but, living where I do, I don't have a flea problem. I live at 7000' in elevation and the fleas, ticks literally cannot take the altitude, this according to the vet we use. Now, I know SOME of those treatments are DEADLY for dogs, Lindaloo lost a GREAT dog to Frontline I believe, correct me if I'm wrong sis

Dennis

[Lindaloo]

I use K9 Advantix. It repels mosquitos too and protects against heartworms and hookworms. No itching like they were with the Revolution. I NEVER use Frontline Plus. It is oil based and if there is an open wound that you do not see (or even a tiny scratch) the Frontline will get into your dogs bloodstream and cause major problems, including death!


Yes, Dennis you are correct.

[TexasStooge]

I could think of 2 other ways to kill fleas:

1. Spread some honey on a plate and lay it on the floor where most of the fleas are for a few days.

2. Sprinkle salt around the carpert.

I know those methods sound weird, but that's how my family managed to get rid of hundreds of fleas.

[MomH]

Two things I know have help in my house.

Place a desk type lamp (goose neck or something with very directed light) over a pie pan of water at night. Fleas jump for the light and end up in the pan and drown.

Keep a pan of cedar chips in a corner of each room or under a couch or chair. Fleas don't like cedar.

BIL sent something recently about Bounce helping. I'll let you know when I find the post.

MomH

[MomH]

I was wrong. Nothing about fleas and Bounce. Supposed to be good for other things--check Bounce.......thread.

[banshee]

I used Frontline plus every year on my dog and she never had any problems. When the fleas got really nasty and refused to die I would put sevin dust in the yard, directly on the dog and sprinkle it on all the carpets and leave for the day. At the end of the day vacuum the carpet and set the vacuum outside until I had time to change the bag. Sevin will kill almost everything and farmers swear by the stuff.

[Ixolib]

What about BORAX? Wife heard it works, so she tried it. The fleas didn't like it (you could see them jumping in the soap powder!!) but they're not all gone yet either. We have hard wood floors and spread the stuff EVERYWHERE!! Looked like it had snowed inside!! Vacuumed everything up - and a lot of fleas went with it. Gonna try a second application... Anyone else ever use or hear of anyone using Borax?

[JenBayles]

Sentinel. Heartworm and flea prevention in one monthly pill. Makes the fleas sterile. Since I live in Houston (one of the flea capitals of the world) fleas can get out of control in a heartbeat. We're really happy with the product.

[Yankeegirl]

I have found that Advantage works the best for my cats and dogs... The flea season has been awful here in the Houston area this year!!! As a rule, I switch monthly from Advantage to Frontline so they dont get immune to the same product.... Hope that helps!!

[Lindaloo]

Advantage is not what it is cracked up to be when it comes to flea control. The flea has to actually bite the cat or dog for the flea to die. Tape worms are caused by fleas biting your pet, so you are putting your cat and dog at risk of getting the tape worm. If you have multiple animals, the tape worm can infect your other animals too. With K9 Advantix, it repels fleas, ticks AND mosquitos within minutes. Frontline PLUS should be pulled from the market, IMO.

[bevgo]

Borax did not work for me, I also tried salt--nothing. Treating the cat with a flea shampoo and the carpet with spray but nothing seems to help. We NEVER had any problems until we moved into this stupid apartment since the cat has never been outside but the previous tenant had a dog. I am tired of treating for fleas here.

[MomH]

If you are paying rent in an apartment complex that allows animals it seems that your landlords should be handling the problem for you. In my daughter's place they spray monthly for All "critters." Can't hurt to complain in a nice way.

[Deenac813]

I put a small amount of apple cider vinegar in my dog's water and it really helps with fleas!

[coriolis]

I take a shower every day and use soap. It really keeps 'em down.

[Amanzi]

ROFLMAO... Ed you Kill me!

Washing the dog or cat in Plain ol Dawn soap followed by a good combing... (as recommended by a vet). worked really well with my cat. Vacuming EVERY day to get control of the fleas in the carpets as well, did help. Also I know it sounds nuts, but add some garlic oil to your pets food... fleas dont like the taste or smell in the blood. Hope you manage to get rid of them. I had a really hard time trying to get rid of fleas and they kept jumping onto my newborn baby... drove me nuts, but the dawn baths really seemed to work for me.

[alicia-w]

he beat me to it! i was going to mention dipping them in kerosene, but decided against it.

here's a site that discusses natural treatments:

http://www.vetstop.com/articles/natural_flea_treatments.htm

it might not be fleas either. maybe an allergy?

[Amanzi]

it might not be fleas either. maybe an allergy?

I had a dog that was actually allergic to flea sylava! Poor thing, we did all the flea treatments, and she carried on scratching all the time. Turned out the flea salyva was causing a type of exema and the only thing that fixed it was regular cortizone injections.