Fleas

[Hceci]

Ok everybody, I would like your ideas on protecting your dogs from fleas. I have been using Frontline, but I would like some other options. Frontline works really good, I just would like a more Natural way. Thanks!http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/facelick.gif

[Wienergal]

Ahhhhh, fleas! Well, Hceci, I don't know where Grant's Pass is. Are fleas a big problem in your area? If not, you MIGHT be able to get through the season with garlic pills and flea shampoo, but I don't know. The problem with "natural" remedies is that they usually aren't as effective as the medications, and if your house becomes infested, well, there isn't enough garlic in the world--you'll end up having to "bomb" your home. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/sick.gif

I have always been terrified of The Bombs, so I apply Bio-Spot religiously. I've used systemics on all my dachsies for the past 20 years and have never had any problem result, so I just keep on usin' 'em!

[Penny's Aunt]

Grants Pass is warm & humid: FLEA PARADISE!

Natural remedies may have worked a hundred years ago, but now, the fleas have been exposed to so many chemicals, they have built up considerable resistance & would probably be the third creature left after an atomic blast (after the rats & cockroaches).

I use a combination of Frontline (I used Advantage last year, & it was good), & a set of flea bombs at the beginning of the season, then immediately washed all animal bedding in hot water.

Just the spot on the cat/dog didn't do it.

I DO draw the line at spraying the yard, however. Lots of people do it with fine results, but it just seems too toxic to me, with a bunch of animals that are always eating grass & a pup that eats ANYTHING.

But if you should hear of a miracle natural substance, be sure to post it here.

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Hi! Been through Grant's Pass a few times on my way up and down I-5. Nice area for all those things we don't want our dachsies to get into: fleas,wildlife of every sort...http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

I was sitting at my desk at work yesterday when I spotted this black dot crawling on my arm. Yup, it was a flea. I tried to crush it but it hopped away! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/angryfire.gif

I remember in college my roommate's cat got infested and then our apt. got infested. I was killing and lining small bug corpses up for a hobby- no kidding. I once counted over 150 bites on me from the waist down. We bombed, got bombs from the vets,did everything short of rip up the carpets. Luckily flea season subsided and we moved - cat and all.

If you live amongst lots of fleas in your area it's better to be safe than infested!
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[SandyLynn]

We live bug heaven here in central New Jersey (near the edge of the Pine Barrens). For years we fought terrible flea infestations with bombs, house, pet and yard sprays, and shampoos, in addition to every "natural" remedy we could find. Three years ago we started everyone on Frontline Top Spot (no house or yard sprays), and the fleas were gone in 2 weeks. They haven't returned, and we only apply the Frontline 4-6 times a year. It seems to be effective against fleas for 3 months, as the company claims, but we use it more often because of ticks. Our holistic vet approves of it (as of the last time I spoke to her, in the spring), so it's our method of choice right now.

[Hceci]

Thanks for your replys. It looks like I am using the best thing I can, or the more popular method. I didn't even have a problem untill Toby and I went over to a friends house that was extreamly infested with fleas. When I found this out, I rushed right to the vet a bought more frontline. That took care of the problem thankfully. I have only found one tick on our lab. Considering that there is forest all around where I live, I consider myself lucky.http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/jacks.gif