Dreaded FLEAS!

[amandaiasillo]

help2:

I read so many different opinions on this subject...

I've already gave Frankie Frontline treatment but it doesnt seem to be working yet. i gave him his treatment about 2 weeks ago and he is still scratching and I am *still* getting bitten.

I know many people have an opinion on this one and it has probably been stated before but to open the thread up again to debate, what is the best and most effective flea treatment?
:thanx::thanx:

[SirOliversMom]

A flea landed on my daughter last weekend. I couldn't believe it. The dogs weren't even scratching and I couldn't/can't find any on them. The very next morning they immediately got their dose of Revolution. I haven't had to deal with fleas for over 7 years but they do have cycles when some years they are really bad and you carry them in off of the grass.

That was a week ago and I noticed this morning that mine were scratching..? What's with that? Tam's going to the groomer's tomorrow for a bath and a good clip so I'll see if she finds anything on her. But Revolution is supposed to not only kill the fleas but also stop the egg cycle.

I am looking forward to hearing everyone's opinions on this one.:wavesmile::flower1:

[kpm_tex]

How bad were the fleas before you put the frontline on him? If they were bad and you just put the frontline on him and didn't treat the house you are still going to see fleas... they only die if they get on him and they love to live in carpet, fabic and such... and the eggs can hatch up to 2 weeks or more from the time they are laid.

[Tucker's Mom]

We have used Revolution for 2 years (May - Dec. in our area) and, knock on wood, I can honestly say that I have never seen a flea anywhere - in the house or on Tucker. I am extremely vigilant about the applications. Maybe we've just been fortunate so far; but, I'm definitely happy with the product.:happy030:

[7-Ups]

As stated before, you must treat the house, yard and dog to kill all the fleas and eggs. Flea eggs hatch when temp, humidity and vibration occur and on a two week cycle can be hard to get rid of. Also fleas do not live on the dog, the fleas on the dog are when they are getting a blood meal and breeding. The eggs are layed in your carpet, furniture, ect. Then the larve hatch and grow into adult fleas looking to eat and breed and start the cycle all over again. The first time I ran into fleas were 5 years ago when we moved to Texas and I had never seen one before and my pups got them and it took us 3 months to totally eradicate them. The pups get treated every month, the house every 3 months and the yard monthly. We have been flea free for 4 1/2 years doing this. Of course we live in the forest where wild creatures could bring them in. We were also told that you can carry them from anywhere into your house without knowing it. Fleas are very sneaky. :goodluck:

[oscarforevermom]

My sweet Oscar will be 4 yrs old in Feb & little Buck will be 3 yrs old in July & I have never once ever put any flea treatment on them. We live in Florida where we have no freeze to kill the flea population.

I use 20 Mule Team Borax that you buy in the laundry section of the super market..It's under $4 for a big box. After the little men are in their crates for the night - I sprinkle the Borax on the carpet & leave it overnight & vacuum in the morning.

I sprinkle Borax along the outside door sills too. We never use an exterminator to spray in our house either & it is bug free too.

[zoeysmom]

I had a flea problem maybe 15 years ago, where treating the dogs didn't work. They were in the house. I used "flea busters". It worked, and I never saw another flea. (They do tell you that because of the life cycle you may have a sedondary 'hatch' in a couple of weeks, but then that's it, they're gone) At that time they came to the house and did the treatment. It wasn't inexpensive - but it was effective. I think now you can but the product and do it yourself. I've heard that it's a diatomaceous earth or borax type product, but would google and check that out and not just rely on my memory on that.

[cfhonish]

My husband treats the yard using organic stuff -- beneficial nematodes to get rid of flea larvae (and other pests) & diatomaceous earth. You can actually use the DE on your pups, sprinkle it in the carpet & vacuum, use it outside, etc...I've used it in the past to treat intestinal parasites in foster dogs (by putting it in their food -- yes, it's edible). You just have to make sure you have food-grade DE & you also have to be careful so you don't inhale it...over-exposure to the silica can cause lung damage, but other than that, it's completely safe. Here's a link:
http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/defaq.html

Another organic product I've used successfully is Ark Naturals Neem Protect Shampoo & Spray. It's especially good to use in-between treatments of frontline/etc., and because it's organic, you can re-apply the spray as often as needed. I've gotten the shampoo & spray off of amazon.com.

Hope this is helpful!! :crsfnger:

[catstamm]

We don't use ANY chemicals or Pesticides for fleas .....and I haven't seen a flea in years.... currently we use Bug Off Garlic suppliments for fleas and parasites....

[cfhonish]

Do the garlic pills make your pups smell garlicky? Also, I'm confused...I know that garlic is in some pet foods & treats, but then the ASPCA says that garlic is toxic for dogs:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_ask_peoplefood&s_state=garlic

How long have your pups been on the supplements?? We may have to start our guys on this stuff! :-)

[Christena]

I'm confused...I know that garlic is in some pet foods & treats, but then the ASPCA says that garlic is toxic for dogs:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer...s_state=garlic

I am also confused, I was just reading yesterday that garlic is toxic though not as bad as onions.

[Suzanne R]

How bad were the fleas before you put the frontline on him? If they were bad and you just put the frontline on him and didn't treat the house you are still going to see fleas... they only die if they get on him and they love to live in carpet, fabic and such... and the eggs can hatch up to 2 weeks or more from the time they are laid.
That is SO true! I went thru a bad flea spell a couple of years ago - DE spread on the outside (raked into the grass so the dust wasn't inhaled by the dogs) and Borax on the carpets for about 3 weeks did the trick - but it took a lot of time and patience!

[Travmakar]

I use a flea free supplement which include garlic and brewers yeast to ward off fleas, ticks etc.

[Travmakar]

Here is alink to some great suggestions. I am going to try the rosemary tea for Ty.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-to-groom-pets-for-fleas.html

[DixieDoodle]

Our vet recommends Frontline PLUS. We used it last year and I just did the first treatment for this summer. I started it again because I saw Dixie scratching. Since we have been using it, she has only scratched a couple of times and it is always up by her collar. I really think that she the collar itself is what bothers her sometimes. She likes being naked.....but I want her collar on because it has her "If you find me" tag on it....just in case she would get out of the fenced in yard.