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seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:18 PM Oct 2014

fleas. i have had dogs for three decades, and never dealt with fleas. i have a long haired dog,

and i found some fleas on him. i use frontline. but, i did give him a flea bath after finding them and i am going to call the vet tomorrow and see how to address the dog. the flea shampoo didnt get them all.

my question

i have been gogglin' it. my dog spends time on my bed. if the fleas were in my house, (he comes in on the evening into night until bedtime, then has his place, downstairs.), i would know there are fleas in the house, on/in my bed, wouldnt i? i have looked on top the blankets, under the covers and there are no signs of fleas. not one.

i was told to wear white socks and i would see them jumping on them, if they were in the carpet.

i have no visual at all, that fleas are in the house, and we have no bites.

can someone give me info, please? all the websites i read make it a given i have an infestation.

88 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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fleas. i have had dogs for three decades, and never dealt with fleas. i have a long haired dog, (Original Post) seabeyond Oct 2014 OP
fleas and most insects hate borax Kalidurga Oct 2014 #1
thank you. i sure do like natural stuff, that is not the bought chemical, seabeyond Oct 2014 #2
Borax for a perimeter closing Aerows Oct 2014 #25
interesting. vinegar bath. i think i read that in the past. hey, vinegar seems the go to. thanks, nt seabeyond Oct 2014 #28
I looked up the formula for a commercial grade defleaing bath Kalidurga Oct 2014 #53
Acetic acid (vinegar) Aerows Oct 2014 #54
cool Kalidurga Oct 2014 #56
I'm not a DVM Aerows Oct 2014 #59
surround the perimeter with boric acid (borax) Aerows Oct 2014 #57
I read somewhere that the population of insects outweighs the population of humans Kalidurga Oct 2014 #60
You would probably not like to know Aerows Oct 2014 #62
You are right Kalidurga Oct 2014 #63
Borax and Peroxide are both very harsh chemicals MattBaggins Oct 2014 #61
A vinegar solution Aerows Oct 2014 #64
Read the very first reply MattBaggins Oct 2014 #65
Okay Aerows Oct 2014 #66
Now in defense of peroxide MattBaggins Oct 2014 #70
In defense of peroxide Aerows Oct 2014 #72
The first reply says that is what they did to their dog. n/t Jamastiene Oct 2014 #74
Boric Acid Too ProfessorGAC Oct 2014 #86
I second the use of Borax! AwakeAtLast Oct 2014 #51
At least point out that you don't do it directly Aerows Oct 2014 #67
Good luck shenmue Oct 2014 #3
You don't have an infestation just because of "some fleas" on the dog. flvegan Oct 2014 #4
Be careful with garlic snpsmom Oct 2014 #9
Be careful with everything. flvegan Oct 2014 #16
yes. i get that you were saying be carful, it should be minimal. nt seabeyond Oct 2014 #19
well, i thank you. seabeyond Oct 2014 #10
Vinegar helps, too Aerows Oct 2014 #26
Fleas hatch eggs at different times Texasgal Oct 2014 #5
excellent. i am going to do that tomorrow. that sounds the simplest.... i did read, seabeyond Oct 2014 #11
I suffered a bedbug infestation back in 2002 in my Dorm room. NutmegYankee Oct 2014 #24
interesting. and that you were able to pinpoint that. i have been researching those suckers. seabeyond Oct 2014 #27
The vet can give you a medicine (for dog) called Capstar that will wipe out the adult fleas NutmegYankee Oct 2014 #6
thanks for the info. this is why i love du. i couldnt get this assurance and knowledge seabeyond Oct 2014 #12
In my experience, my dog might get fleas while visiting a friend's house, but after treatment... NYC_SKP Oct 2014 #7
excellent. sounds doable. thank you for the info.... seabeyond Oct 2014 #13
Wash the bedding, steam the carpet. Have the vet give the dog capstar and apply frontline or some LeftyMom Oct 2014 #8
Capstar does not need to be obtained via the vet notadmblnd Oct 2014 #17
I've had good luck buying it on ebay, but she said she was going to the vet anyhow. LeftyMom Oct 2014 #20
ok. lol. thanks. seabeyond Oct 2014 #18
I am so allergic to flea bites, they swell up and scar me! I have to take Benedryl. You have to bettyellen Oct 2014 #14
lol. thanks. nt seabeyond Oct 2014 #21
I have a few hundred tiny white scars from scratching bites. Because I waited 8 days to bettyellen Oct 2014 #22
you have an infestation TorchTheWitch Oct 2014 #15
all that stuff is good, and appreciated. but wont i see them? i have never used foggers either. seabeyond Oct 2014 #23
Worse case scenario... NYC_SKP Oct 2014 #29
i had borax. i sprinkle the carpets. cause of your article, i now know to sweep the carpet. seabeyond Oct 2014 #34
Also, you can check for the presence of fleas by checking the vacuum bags, and flea traps! NYC_SKP Oct 2014 #44
if you don't kill them all you'll have a constant battle with them TorchTheWitch Oct 2014 #35
i think this is where i went wrong this year. i have never in decades, had them. i thought they seabeyond Oct 2014 #36
early fall is the worst where I live TorchTheWitch Oct 2014 #47
yes. lesson learned. this is an indoor dog, but he does like going outside. seabeyond Oct 2014 #49
I learned a long time ago that fleas actually spend only about 25% of the time on Jamastiene Oct 2014 #75
I had to use foggers twice! bettyellen Oct 2014 #30
We have three dogs FLPanhandle Oct 2014 #31
you know, i read that somewhere. seabeyond Oct 2014 #39
Owner of long-haired cats here; also I live in Florida, Land of The Bugs distantearlywarning Oct 2014 #32
thanks for the info and links. gonna read up on it. nt seabeyond Oct 2014 #38
DIY Flea traps are cheap and easy LunaSea Oct 2014 #33
i am going ot take up this suggesting, just to see if i get any. lol. i want to see, if there seabeyond Oct 2014 #37
if you have wall-to-wall carpeting- LiberalElite Oct 2014 #40
excellent reminder. thanks. nt seabeyond Oct 2014 #41
I think you would have bite around the ankles. jwirr Oct 2014 #42
i would think so. i hear everyone talk about bites. and he spends the most time on seabeyond Oct 2014 #43
Very much like my dog. I also use Frontline and it is not due to be applied until next Thursday. We jwirr Oct 2014 #45
The white socks test would definitely show fleas if you had an infestation. gvstn Oct 2014 #46
excellent. seabeyond Oct 2014 #48
For me it was first thing in the morning where I would see 3-6 fleas on my socks gvstn Oct 2014 #50
Wow. And you know, I saw the scratching, noticed and would watch seabeyond Oct 2014 #52
Dr. Bronners eucalyptus and peppermint soaps kill fleas. roody Oct 2014 #55
Diatomaceous Earth Purveyor Oct 2014 #58
In France burrowowl Oct 2014 #68
It isn't very difficult MattBaggins Oct 2014 #69
MattBaggins is giving excellent advice. KMOD Oct 2014 #71
Yes, fleas will get in your house. Jamastiene Oct 2014 #73
To find fleas Rincewind Oct 2014 #76
Well... it depends on the fleas. They're not all the same Scootaloo Oct 2014 #77
here is new info that is interesting. as i said, i know nothing about fleas, never done it. but... seabeyond Oct 2014 #83
FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous earth!!!! newfie11 Oct 2014 #78
That's what I used, I had a terrible infestation this summer and tried many different things and Raine Oct 2014 #85
Yes it's great stuff nt newfie11 Oct 2014 #88
When I had a flea problem a few years ago with my cats justiceischeap Oct 2014 #79
My vet sells us some comfortis and mycodex house spray when our cats get fleas. You would have to GreenPartyVoter Oct 2014 #80
Here's what I do... yourpicturehere Oct 2014 #81
I dislike those ineffective, harsh, topical products. This is what works for us. retread Oct 2014 #82
My dog picked up some Frontline resistant fleas once. Mariana Oct 2014 #84
I have always given my dogs the oral medicine to repel fleas. RebelOne Oct 2014 #87

Kalidurga

(14,177 posts)
1. fleas and most insects hate borax
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:22 PM
Oct 2014

when my dog had a flea (I only saw one) I gave her a borax and peroxide bath. It helped a skin condition she had too, which might have been the spot the flea bit, I dunno but both things were gone after her bath. The ratios are online somewhere,but I forget where.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
2. thank you. i sure do like natural stuff, that is not the bought chemical,
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:23 PM
Oct 2014

if there are those kinds of solutions. thank you.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
28. interesting. vinegar bath. i think i read that in the past. hey, vinegar seems the go to. thanks, nt
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:53 PM
Oct 2014

Kalidurga

(14,177 posts)
53. I looked up the formula for a commercial grade defleaing bath
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 11:25 PM
Oct 2014

it looked a lot like the chemicals in borax and peroxide then I did a web search for homemade and ta da there it was.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
59. I'm not a DVM
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:05 AM
Oct 2014

I'd ask Kestrel91316. She IS a DVM

That said

I would assume it would but you would want to make certain that you douse them with it, then scrupulously clean them afterward, and I would seek to keep them from licking it while it sits for around 15 minutes.

I'm nobody. I take no responsibility for this (but I know vinegar is not harmful) so please don't sue me. Let them be in it for about 15 minutes and fleas will drop off like flies.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
57. surround the perimeter with boric acid (borax)
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 11:58 PM
Oct 2014

that prevents them from coming in.

Dose the rest with acetic acid (vinegar/water solution), and it won't harm the plants or the environment, but will A) kill the insects B) convince the insects your home is inhospitable territory to set up shop and C) via generations enable them to live where they are better suited.

It works.

One problem though, we are going to one day run out of places for them to be better suited.

Kalidurga

(14,177 posts)
60. I read somewhere that the population of insects outweighs the population of humans
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:05 AM
Oct 2014

as hard as it is to make my skin crawl that does it.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
62. You would probably not like to know
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:08 AM
Oct 2014

that the population of Nematodes (round and flat worms) on earth is such that if every bit of soil disappeared all of the sudden, the entire earth would still be visible by continents. There are that damn many of them.

Enjoy!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nematode

MattBaggins

(7,894 posts)
61. Borax and Peroxide are both very harsh chemicals
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:07 AM
Oct 2014

Peroxide will start to burn a dog and bleach their hair rather quickly.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
64. A vinegar solution
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:15 AM
Oct 2014

as was suggested, is not harsh. I'm not giving out veterinarian advice here, but anyone that has cared for animals big and small knows that diluted vinegar is very helpful.

Diluted is the key.

Now, where did you come to the conclusion that people were advertising that you should put borax or peroxide directly on an animal, because I saw nothing of the sort.

Using borax to perimeter control pests (sprinkle it around the area in a perimeter in which you wish to prevent pests) is well known. No one suggested putting peroxide or borax on a pet.

MattBaggins

(7,894 posts)
65. Read the very first reply
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:18 AM
Oct 2014
Now, where did you come to the conclusion that people were advertising that you should put borax or peroxide directly on an animal
 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
66. Okay
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:21 AM
Oct 2014

I didn't suggest that. You are right, that's a fucked up suggestion. I use it to close the perimeter and then use vinegar to treat whatever is left over.

I missed that. Thanks for pointing that out, that is a terrible suggestion for folks that don't know what they are doing.

MattBaggins

(7,894 posts)
70. Now in defense of peroxide
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:34 AM
Oct 2014

Skunks...

Peroxide, baking soda and a touch of baby shampoo.

Chemist isolated the chemical that makes skunk musk so horrible and came up with the solution to actually break it down.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
72. In defense of peroxide
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:58 AM
Oct 2014

when you have a bad scrape (fell off a bicycle, hello pavement burn), it hurts like an absolute level of hell all in itself when you use it, but usually disinfects the shit out of it. You probably have to change your underwear after dousing the wound with it, but you won't be getting an infection!

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
67. At least point out that you don't do it directly
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:24 AM
Oct 2014

That is dangerous!

Diluted vinegar is better. Limit the borax to sprinkling it in the perimeter of the area you want to contain.

You don't BATHE the dog in either ... you only dab the flea spots with hydrogen peroxide like you would do for a human being with a scab.

The Borax is for around the perimeter of the house. Do not BATHE a dog in Borax or Hydrogen Peroxide.

It's multi-step.

Lord.

flvegan

(64,389 posts)
4. You don't have an infestation just because of "some fleas" on the dog.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:24 PM
Oct 2014

Though fleas are bad this year, it's not automatic. You're using Frontline, that's good. You have a long haired dog, so make sure that the Frontline is getting down onto the skin, not just onto the hair/fur. This is important.

Another thing I do (having run a rescue in Florida and never having a real flea problem *knock wood*) is supplement with garlic. Not cloves or in large quantities. I cook chicken for my dogs and I poach it with minced garlic. I'll sometimes sprinkle a little garlic powder (not garlic salt) on their dry food as well.

Remember, if the Frontline is working, though Fido may come into the house with fleas, if they've bitten him then they're as good as dead. Your vac will eliminate the carcasses.

Good luck with your pup, seabeyond.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
10. well, i thank you.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:34 PM
Oct 2014

i was hoping for this kind of information. much more reasoned than the hair on fire i was reading from google. i would think i would see them easily enough if the fleas were in the house. i do like the idea of implementing some garlic, also. that is a natural good idea. it is work to get to the skin, courgie/pomeranian with the long thick hair of the pom, but i do get it down to the skin.

thanks

Texasgal

(17,029 posts)
5. Fleas hatch eggs at different times
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:25 PM
Oct 2014

I'd use some borax. Sprinkle it around the baseboards and carpeted areas leave for a few and then vacuum.

Wash your bedding and your dogs bedding in hot water. Just because you have not seen fleas on you or your person dosen't mean they are not there!

Borax sister... works the best!

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
11. excellent. i am going to do that tomorrow. that sounds the simplest.... i did read,
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:36 PM
Oct 2014

washing the bedding works fine. so i am not like panicked, if it were bed bugs... knockin' on that same wood.

NutmegYankee

(16,177 posts)
24. I suffered a bedbug infestation back in 2002 in my Dorm room.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:47 PM
Oct 2014

They hitchhiked in a used handrail for a loft. It took about 2 months to figure out the cause of my increasingly bigger and bigger welts. I finally starting researching biting insects and came upon Cimex lectularius. I started searching for them and found one crawing on the bed. I hunted them down to a crevice between the 2X4s of the handrail and wiped them out with my flying insect killer (I thought it was skeeters weeks before). I collected samples (some of them were 3/8" long) and dropped them off with entomology. Apparently they were thought extinct in that county of Virginia so it got a lot of attention. People used to mock me years later because they didn't understand what bed bugs were. But 2007/8, they finally stopped laughing...

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
27. interesting. and that you were able to pinpoint that. i have been researching those suckers.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:51 PM
Oct 2014

concerned even staying in a hotel anymore. i am told, keep luggage on rack, off floor, away from bed and pull from wall. lol. so we do not take them home with us. i like that suggestion. so i share. no.... bed bugs.

NutmegYankee

(16,177 posts)
6. The vet can give you a medicine (for dog) called Capstar that will wipe out the adult fleas
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:26 PM
Oct 2014

And the frontline will handle the rest. You might also try a prescription version called Revolution that is very effective. I took in an 8 week old stray born kitten and had to de-worm, de-mite, and de-flea her. Revolution and Capstar did the trick.

As for fleas, they probably go for the dog over you. Most people take a shower once a day making them poor hosts for fleas.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
12. thanks for the info. this is why i love du. i couldnt get this assurance and knowledge
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:37 PM
Oct 2014

the same way, as you guys.

i did talk to the vet about those options last visit, but, like i said, i have never had fleas in the yard, and no problems with pets in the past.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
7. In my experience, my dog might get fleas while visiting a friend's house, but after treatment...
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:28 PM
Oct 2014

they don't come back, so my house is not infested.

And that just happened again, a visit to that same person's home led to fleas on my little dog.

I bathed and rinsed her in the tub and found two fleas in the water, verified under a microscope, little fuckers.

This doesn't mean that your home is safe.

AFAIK, if the fleas at your place lasted long enough to breed, leave fertilized eggs in the carpet or bedding, then you might develop a colony and need to use foggers or something else.

Laundering everything and spreading borax and vacuuming can help, too if you want to avoid the pesticide foggers.

And, if you keep your pet and home clean, even the colony will starve out.

LeftyMom

(49,212 posts)
8. Wash the bedding, steam the carpet. Have the vet give the dog capstar and apply frontline or some
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:28 PM
Oct 2014

other vet grade topical. Reapply the topical regularly. For a dog you should do heartworm testing and get on a preventative at the same time.

People on DU are going to recommend a bunch of "natural" stuff that does not work for crap. I do animal rescue, I know what's up. Don't screw around, go with the above routine.

notadmblnd

(23,720 posts)
17. Capstar does not need to be obtained via the vet
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:41 PM
Oct 2014

It can be purchased at Petsmart and Petco and quite possibly pet supplies plus.

LeftyMom

(49,212 posts)
20. I've had good luck buying it on ebay, but she said she was going to the vet anyhow.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:43 PM
Oct 2014

And if the dog's not on heartworm she needs to go do that, and that's really more important.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
18. ok. lol. thanks.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:41 PM
Oct 2014

i have done the heartworm and he is current on everything. we had a visit this spring. the vet talked to me about something they do, with fleas. i had no problems, so i did not take her up on it. that is why i am calling tomorrow. i want what she does... lol. thanks.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
14. I am so allergic to flea bites, they swell up and scar me! I have to take Benedryl. You have to
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:39 PM
Oct 2014

rewash the dog in another week in case there are eggs. Gotta go scratch now, just from talking about it.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
22. I have a few hundred tiny white scars from scratching bites. Because I waited 8 days to
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:46 PM
Oct 2014

reshampoo. Do it in 7!

TorchTheWitch

(11,065 posts)
15. you have an infestation
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:39 PM
Oct 2014

If they're on the dog they're in your house.

Early autumn can be the worst time of year for ticks and fleas. Make sure you've been using the right Frontline product for the size of your dog and put it on every month. Some say that Frontline and Advantage are really only good for about 3 weeks rather than a month. I don't know the truth of that and in the interest of not over dosing I only use Frontline once a month.

You should have called the vet first before giving the flea bath. If they already use the Frontline introducing another flea killer chemical can be overdosing. A bath with regular Dawn dish detergent should kill any fleas on the dog.

When they're in your house though you won't keep them off the dog. Zap the fleas on the dog the same day you zap them in your house. If the dog sleeps on your bed they're in your bed and linens. Use flea foggers for the house that kill the fleas AND their eggs to clear them all out of the house.

During flea and tick season keep the dog out of tall grass, woods, other peoples' homes that have an infestation and yourself and other family members out of anyone's home that has a flea infestation since you can bring fleas or flea eggs back to your home on your clothes or in your hair. That happened to me once. Don't let your dog play with a dog that has fleas. All the pets in the home have to be treated.

For every flea you see there's a gazillion more that you don't, and they can get anywhere. Foggers are the easiest and cheapest way to kill every single flea anywhere in the house. Leave one female flea anywhere in the house alive, and in a few weeks you'll just have another infestation.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
23. all that stuff is good, and appreciated. but wont i see them? i have never used foggers either.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:47 PM
Oct 2014

i just do not like the idea of that stuff all over stuff. and this is a huge two story.... sigh....

see. you are what i was reading on google.

still appreciate the info.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
29. Worse case scenario...
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:56 PM
Oct 2014

That's what I'm reading in that comment and from many online sources.

That sounds like the house I visit from time to time, where the old lady has a cat and REFUSES to put a collar on it.

The entire two story home is truly infested and we've fogged it often, and that works but she doesn't even let us do that anymore.

You are probably not looking at an infestation, but should treat your dog soon and take the other steps with bedding and laundry and vacuuming and borax.

Borax is awesome, and we used to use boric acid with great effect to manage cockroaches, and it was easy to find in NYC.

Here's a page that mentions both substances: http://www.thebugsquad.com/fleas/borax-fleas/

Good luck, don't panic. It's probably manageable without fogging.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
34. i had borax. i sprinkle the carpets. cause of your article, i now know to sweep the carpet.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 10:08 PM
Oct 2014

just in case. i am still of the mind i have none in the house. but... reading about borax, i am comfortable doing this treatment, regardless.

thanks

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
44. Also, you can check for the presence of fleas by checking the vacuum bags, and flea traps!
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 10:35 PM
Oct 2014

Me, I know if I have them if my dog is itching, and I know it's bad if I get bites on my ankles.

That's the point at which we all get a wash an all the laundry and bedding gets done and a thorough vacuum.

If it's just the dog scratching, she gets a mild soap bath and brushing and Advantix treatment.

A large dog heavily infested might infest a house overnight, but I think this is rarely the case.

So once you do the basic things, watch for the scratching and consider setting out simple water/dishsoap/nightlight flea traps!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Catch-50-Fleas-In-One-Night/

There are a lot of simple designs on the internet.

TorchTheWitch

(11,065 posts)
35. if you don't kill them all you'll have a constant battle with them
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 10:16 PM
Oct 2014

Either kill them all the cheapest and easiest way or live with them. Like I said, for every flea you see there's a gazillion more that you don't. You pretty much have the choice of living with a worsening flea infestation or bomb the crap out of the whole house.

By the way, if the dog rides in the car they may also be in the upholstery in the car. To kill them in the car spray all over with a flea killer that kills fleas and their eggs, and let the car sit with the windows up for a few hours. Air the car out well before using it again.

I haven't had a single flea for over 20 years. The last time was because I made the mistake of going to someone's house that had an infestation so bad you could see dozens of them hoping up and down all over the carpet. GROSS! Never saw one that bad before. Though I immediately washed my clothes when I got home I forgot to do something about my denim jacket, and about a month later I had an infestation from maybe a couple of fleas I brought home. Did the whole fogger thing, always make sure the dog has his Frontline on except for the dead of winter, and don't let him go plowing through high grass and woods or around other dogs with fleas during the worst of the season. When we go into the woods or tall grass he gets a good hosing down in case he picked up anything. And all my dogs have been/are big hairy beasts. Not long hair but thick hair. It's hard enough to find their skin let alone any fleas they might have. They get lots of brushing and bug checks during flea/tick season.

Bugs gross me out especially bugs that sting or suck your blood. UGH. Spiders I don't mind, but I hate walking into their webs and especially hate them building webs all over the house in every conceivable corner.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
36. i think this is where i went wrong this year. i have never in decades, had them. i thought they
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 10:22 PM
Oct 2014

died off in fall. i probably should have done another treatment of frontline instead of assuming the season was over.

i generally start in spring thru summer, then stop. i didnt realize fall was so bad.

we have some feral cats that were never able to get in the yard with my other dog. i never had flea or tick here. when she died, the cats were in the yard, until we got this other puppy. about a year. maybe that is where they came from.

TorchTheWitch

(11,065 posts)
47. early fall is the worst where I live
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 11:00 PM
Oct 2014

That's why I get the 6 pack of Frontline now... so there's enough to last through spring, summer and early fall.

Cats seem to be carriers of fleas. Feral cats won't be getting any flea or tick preventative, so you don't want them anywhere where your dog is. Since you stopped doing the Frontline that's how I'm betting your dog got them.

I didn't used to do the Frontline after summer, but that's when we used to get frosts a lot earlier, and the dog I had then was more of an inside kind of guy. We did our daily walks but he always wanted to stick to the sidewalk and do the same exact route every time. The dog I have now is a big outdoors-man. Even in summer he still wants to spend a lot of time outside snoozing under the tree unless we had a really bad heat wave... then he didn't want to stay out for long until the sun went down.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
49. yes. lesson learned. this is an indoor dog, but he does like going outside.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 11:10 PM
Oct 2014

next house is getting a doggie door. i bring him in, he hears other dogs bark, and has to run through the house, telling me to hurry so he can get out there and say hi. that was another thing i noticed a couple weeks ago, watching this dog. he lays all flat on the grass to do his snoozing, where the other dog pretty much stayed on the patio. she spent time in the yard, but not buried in the grass for long periods sleeping.

Jamastiene

(38,187 posts)
75. I learned a long time ago that fleas actually spend only about 25% of the time on
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 02:19 AM
Oct 2014

the dogs/animals. The rest of the time, they are all up in yer baseboards making more fleas.

FLPanhandle

(7,107 posts)
31. We have three dogs
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:57 PM
Oct 2014

Quick and cheap solution is Dawn Dish-washing Soap. Kill the little bastards far better than most flea shampoos.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
39. you know, i read that somewhere.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 10:29 PM
Oct 2014

i may try that if i need to do it again. i have heard using dawn for other stuff...

distantearlywarning

(4,475 posts)
32. Owner of long-haired cats here; also I live in Florida, Land of The Bugs
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 09:58 PM
Oct 2014

What has worked like a charm for me for nearly a decade without anyone in my house being poisoned by fogger chemicals: first put Frontline or Advantage on the animals to turn them into a walking flea-bomb. Then get food-grade diatomaceous earth along with a duster. Dust the diatomaceous earth all over every carpet in your house, wait for an hour, then vacuum it all up. If you have hardwood floors, be careful with the DE, because it can scratch them - use a steam mop on hardwood surfaces instead. Then wash and dry on high heat any bedding the animals sleep on. If it can't be washed, dust it with DE and then vacuum or beat it off. You'll be flea-free within one week, guaranteed!

Diatomaceous Earth: http://www.amazon.com/ss/customer-reviews/B00025H2PY/ref=?_encoding=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Duster: http://www.amazon.com/Pest-Pistol-Insert-Diatomaceous-Earth/dp/B002SW52CE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1413770056&sr=8-3&keywords=diatomaceous+earth

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
37. i am going ot take up this suggesting, just to see if i get any. lol. i want to see, if there
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 10:23 PM
Oct 2014

are any in the house, instead of assuming they are there, without seeing. thanks.

LiberalElite

(14,691 posts)
40. if you have wall-to-wall carpeting-
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 10:30 PM
Oct 2014

vacuum every day and throw out the bag, even if it isn't full yet, before whatever fleas are still alive can get out.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
43. i would think so. i hear everyone talk about bites. and he spends the most time on
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 10:35 PM
Oct 2014

my bed while i read or computer, and throw ball. where we play. so i would think i would see them. he only is on the floor to go after the ball.

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
45. Very much like my dog. I also use Frontline and it is not due to be applied until next Thursday. We
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 10:39 PM
Oct 2014

found a tick on him Monday. The ticks are horrible again. I am going to put it on him tonight. Wish you and your dog luck with the clean up.

gvstn

(2,805 posts)
46. The white socks test would definitely show fleas if you had an infestation.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 10:43 PM
Oct 2014

My indoor cat got a terrible case of fleas one year and I let it get out of control because it just didn't seem possible and I couldn't find any fleas on him. It was only him and me that the fleas liked so I just started treating him with Advantage which worked immediately for his relief and Borax in the carpets. Took about two weeks until my white socks showed no fleas.

One point that your vet is probably familiar with but I believe fleas develop a tolerance for certain pesticides. Frontline being one of the oldest of the once a month drops, fell behind for a few years as fleas developed a tolerance for its particular chemical. I think they have reformulated but it may be worth asking about switching to K9 Advantix or another brand for a few months to see if you get better results. I'm not a fan of Frontline because it doesn't seem to work on my brother's dog I but haven't had a dog for several years. Advantage doesn't provide tick protection but K9 Advantix also by Bayer does.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
48. excellent.
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 11:04 PM
Oct 2014

thank you for assuring me that the white sock experiment works.... i have been going around sliding my feet in the carpet all night, and not a one.

appreciate the info on advantix.

gvstn

(2,805 posts)
50. For me it was first thing in the morning where I would see 3-6 fleas on my socks
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 11:18 PM
Oct 2014

The minute I put them on and hit the carpet in the bedroom where the cat slept. Rest of day and evening not really any fleas to speak of but perhaps one or two once in a while. I definitely didn't have a full house infestation but for sure the worst I have ever had. I still can't believe that I didn't realize the cat had fleas until it just sort of mushroomed into a catastrophe the first really hot day of June.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
52. Wow. And you know, I saw the scratching, noticed and would watch
Sun Oct 19, 2014, 11:23 PM
Oct 2014

With the vague thought of fleas, but it wasn't that often or prolonged. Denial, didn't want to believe. Thanks. Gonna put the socks back on in the morning

burrowowl

(17,605 posts)
68. In France
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:29 AM
Oct 2014

they use ether to safely remove them, they go to sleep and you don't risk leaving the head in.
In the USA you can't buy it at the pharmacy, but you can buy a car product that is ether.

MattBaggins

(7,894 posts)
69. It isn't very difficult
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:32 AM
Oct 2014

Use the frontline which is a fine product with an IGR.

If you bathe the pet my Vet recommends to wait at least three days for the animals oils to return or the new application of frontline won't work. You might want to consider a dog shampoo with insecticide that lasts for a few days to protect them for those few days. Something like Capstar is a great choice to deadify any ones on the pet.

Wash your bedding and dogs bedding. Vacuum as much as you can. You don't need to spread or sprinkle anything. Just vacuum thoroughly, Stay away from foggers they are not needed. I know I am going to get lambasted for this but stay away from diatemtaceous earth. You don't need to sprinkle what is the equivalent of powdered glass into your carpets. Spreading borax around your yard is not going to stop fleas from getting in. They can jump really far and hitch hike in on other critters.

Do keep in mind that the larvae stage will be surviving outside in decaying leaves, but if your animals have frontline on them applied routinely and properly they will not survive to adulthood.

The best thing you can do after taking care of the animal is once again... vacuum.

 

KMOD

(7,906 posts)
71. MattBaggins is giving excellent advice.
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 12:50 AM
Oct 2014

Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum is the key. That includes furniture as well. Also clean any non carpeted floors often, and wash anything that the pup comes into contact with.

It may take a couple weeks, but this advice really does work.

Also keep applying the frontline monthly.

Good luck! It's a pain to rid of all fleas and eggs, but it can be done!

Jamastiene

(38,187 posts)
73. Yes, fleas will get in your house.
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 01:31 AM
Oct 2014

They will be in your baseboards and under the carpet. They do not always jump on people, but if the dog has fleas and comes in the house, the fleas will too. It is better to treat the house and yard and then just bathe the dog with regular shampoo, let it set soaped up for 5 minutes on him, the rinse him really well to make sure all fleas and flea shit (dried blood, looks like pepper) are washed off. But if you don't treat the yard and home, the problem will continue. You can douse the dog with all the flea products imaginable, but if you don't treat the yard and home, the problem will just come right back. Treat the fleas and just keep them off the dog. Mixing chemicals on the dog is not healthy for the dog or you. If you have used one type of flea control, then use another, you could cause problems. Just use the dog's regular shampoo and let it sit long enough to kill the fleas that are on him. Better yet, use something citrus based and give a Keri Lotion treatment after. The citrus based shampoos work and are not as toxic to you or your dog. But if you don't treat the house and the yard, nothing will work. They fleas have to not be there to begin with to keep them off the dog. And the best bet is to treat the yard every two weeks until the fleas are gone. That is what we always recommended when people came in with their dogs full of fleas and ticks. Treat the home and yard and do the followup treatment until the fleas are gone. Pyrethrin based and cirtrus based products will do fine and are less harmful and toxic than the organophosphates.

Rincewind

(1,199 posts)
76. To find fleas
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 03:04 AM
Oct 2014

I've done this before, you turn on a nightlight plugged into a wall socket in the room you think might have fleas. Under the nightlight, on the floor, place a shallow pan ( like a cake pan, or a pie plate) about half full of water. The fleas are attracted to the light, jump at it, fall into the water and drown. Do this when you go to bed at night, check the pan in the morning. If you find no drowned fleas, try again, or try another room.If you find dead fleas, flea spray.

 

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)
77. Well... it depends on the fleas. They're not all the same
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 04:01 AM
Oct 2014

The big fat fleas, "cat fleas" don't usually cause infestations off the animal - they're adapted for dense fur and high temperature, and don't do well outside of those conditions. Despite the name they'll be found on dogs and other carnivores, too. They'll bite humans, but we just don't have enough body hair and are too cold for them to actually make a living off of us.

The smaller, speck-of-pepper fuckers, "dog fleas" however? These are the little bastards that will set up shop just about anywhere, and cause the house infestations, and cover your legs in bites.

If you had the latter, you would know. so it seems likely, you have the former. Keep up the flea baths and frontline. If you've been using frontline, then it's likely your animal just has a passing case that he picked up from another dog or some other animal or its den, because that stuff works really well; it's just not instant, and a few generations of flea can come and o if an animal picks them up after treatment.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
83. here is new info that is interesting. as i said, i know nothing about fleas, never done it. but...
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 09:30 AM
Oct 2014

my niece was telling me she had a cat that had fleas. the fleas had no interest getting off the cat to explore the environment. lol. that niece just bathed and drowned the fleas and had no problem with environment.

i have read about salt and pepper. i really was not getting what was being said.

these fleas are the size of a fruit fly. clearly visible. no speck of pepper. so maybe some of us are talking about different things. i did not realize there was more than one kind of flea

newfie11

(8,159 posts)
78. FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous earth!!!!
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 06:02 AM
Oct 2014

Use only food grade as the stuff made for swimming pools is poison.

I've used DE for many years while living in 4 different states. It is simply the bones of tiny prehistoric microscopic creatures. Completely harmless to everything EXCEPT creatures with an exoskeleton. As they cross it little scrapes are made on the exoskeleton and they die of dehydration. It is cheap in farm country as this is what is put in silos to kill bugs that get in grain. If you eat anything commercially made with corn your probably eating it as well.

I've sprinkled it all over yards. It does not hurt birds but all the creepy crawly insects are gonners.

I've rubbed it on my dogs, 5 Newfoundlands, (I don't use chemicals in them) and fleas were gone quickly.

Raine

(30,540 posts)
85. That's what I used, I had a terrible infestation this summer and tried many different things and
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 11:11 AM
Oct 2014

DE was the only thing that got rid of them.

justiceischeap

(14,040 posts)
79. When I had a flea problem a few years ago with my cats
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 06:17 AM
Oct 2014

it turned into an infestation while I was away taking care of my sisters funeral. I washed the bedding in apple cider vinegar cause that stuff rocks. I also salted the carpet in my bedroom, where the infestation was the worst. Salt will dry those suckers out. Do a google search for salting fleas. It's cheap and it works.

GreenPartyVoter

(72,377 posts)
80. My vet sells us some comfortis and mycodex house spray when our cats get fleas. You would have to
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 06:27 AM
Oct 2014

ask when you can use them, though, as you have already applied products to your critters.

yourpicturehere

(54 posts)
81. Here's what I do...
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 06:59 AM
Oct 2014

I have had Afghan Hounds for 40 years. Fleas on an Afghan are a nightmare. I used Frontline for about 5 years, and it did really well. One thing about Frontline is that it will kill fleas in the environment from the dog just layin' around. Then it quit working. The manufacturers of "spot-on"products say that the fleas never get immune to Frontline (or Advantage). Sorry, but they do.

I used to use a flea spray called Mycodex. It was water-based, smelled great and it could be used repeatedly, even on newborn pups (yes, my vet told me to spray it on my hands and rub the puppies and it worked and didn't hurt the puppies.). They quit making Mycodex! I have since switched to Adams with Pre-cor. It stinks to high heaven, BUT it kills fleas, ticks, larvae and eggs. Yes, it has pyrethins in it. I have never had problems with it. Don't get the Walmart kind...it is watered down (BIG surprise there!).

I have never had "natural" products that work. If you want to avoid chemicals you can comb the fleas out with a flea comb and dump them in a bowl of Dawn dish soap and water and it kills the little buggers. This is hard with a long-haired dog. You can give them a bath in Dawn (diluted) and it will kill the fleas. Diatomaceous earth will kill them in the environment. Both Dawn and d-earth break down the waxy protective coating on the insects and they dehydrate and die.

Beware of powder anything on a long-haired dog. It isn't harmful to the dog, it just makes the coat impossible to keep groomed because the gritty texture allows the coat to mat quicker.

Hope this helps. I am not a vet, just somebody with 40 years experience in keeping fleas off long-haired dogs. Like someone suggested, I would ask Kestrel.

Oh, and I don't use Capstar or anything like it. Some Afghans have problems with that type of product. You don't say what type of dog you have, but if he is some certain breed or a combination that you know about, I would research those product with that particular type of dog to see if there have been any adverse reactions. It's like Collies and Collie crosses that are susceptible to heartworm products.

Good luck!

retread

(3,752 posts)
82. I dislike those ineffective, harsh, topical products. This is what works for us.
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 08:20 AM
Oct 2014

We have 2 dogs and have success with the following:

We use generic nitenpyram(called Flea Killer) from the URL which will follow.
It is deemed safe for pregnant and nursing dogs and cats and dogs and cats over 4 weeks of age and over 2 pounds.
It is out of the system in 24 hours, so is just effective for killing the fleas on the dog and animal will soon be reinfested and may have
to be given again

We use the above with a monthly capsule of lufenuron, which kills the larva.

Together these 2 products take a couple of months to kill an infestation, but it has been years since our last outbreak.

I like this site for the low cost, especially important if you have multiple animals. We also use the tapeworm pills, and the heartworm product from here.
[link:http://www.littlecitydogs.com|

Mariana

(14,847 posts)
84. My dog picked up some Frontline resistant fleas once.
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 10:52 AM
Oct 2014

I had to use a different product, with a different formula, to get rid of them. It's been years ago and I'm sorry I don't remember which product it was.

RebelOne

(30,947 posts)
87. I have always given my dogs the oral medicine to repel fleas.
Mon Oct 20, 2014, 01:57 PM
Oct 2014

I no longer have those dogs as they have all gone to doggy heaven. But with that medication I never had a flea problem. Now I only have a Chihuahua that is indoors most of the day and I only take her out a couple of times a day and she has no fleas because I inspect her all the time.

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