Stop The Fleas…
Dogs and fleas simply don’t mix
We have been very fortunate. For years, we have lived in Florida and never had a problem with fleas. We took our Advantage and we never had to worry about the fleas biting us.
About a month ago, we started fostering two 8 week old puppies. They came from a kill shelter in Georgia and their number was up. They were on the schedule to be gassed. Fortunately, an associate of Judy’s Pet Rescue heard about their predicament and drove up to Georgia to save them.
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A few days later, they were at our house. They were cute, friendly black puppies (part labs) and they were a lot of fun. What we didn’t realize is that they harbored fleas and flea eggs. Not just the normal variety of fleas, but ones that had built up an immunity to the common flea treatments.
Before long, they started getting on Abigail and myself. They laid eggs in the carpets, on us, and in our backyard where we play. After discovering that Advantage had no effect on these nasty critters, the vet recommended we try Comfortis. They had high hopes that this would stop the problem as Abigail and I are highly allergic flea bites.
The back yard was sprayed and the house was bombed while we got to go to work with the humans. Unfortunately, all of this work did little to slow down the fleas. They continued to plague the cats and us non-stop.
What stopped the fleas?
So, what stopped the fleas? On the dogs and cats, the humans switched from a spray to a dip. The big advantage of a dip is that its applied with a sponge and does not get rinsed off. Because of that, we were completely soaked in the flea medicine and it dried on us for a few hours. I am very happy to say this got them off of us.
However, since the fleas didn’t like being on us anymore, they decided to jump on the humans. I don’t think this made them very happy. Fortunately, a pest control guy came to the rescue and created a spray that they used on the baseboards of the house. This seems to have removed the fleas from the inside as well.
So, we have temporarily defeated the fleas. You are probably wondering why I say temporarily? Well, here in Florda, it doesn’t get cold enough to stop the fleas, so they will hatch again in a couple of weeks and we have to do the process all over again.
Wish us luck!
Shadow the Alpha Dog
Oh, dear, oh dear, that happened to my mother once when her cat went awol and came back from her walk about with the long hair coat (she was part Persian) full of fleas. In the end we had to resort to some white powder that the farmers normally use to de-flea, de-lice, de-milb, de-everything their chicken barns! What a mess, but we got rid of them. Good luck, and tell your humans to buy you anti-flea collar to prevent / reduce further trouble, SY
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I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on flea collars. Back in the 80s, we used them all the time with our dogs. They never seemed to work very well, the fleas would simply move further down the dog.
However, they’ve probably made a lot of advances since the 80s.
Fleas are a real nightmare both for the dog and his owner! I’ve heard about something like a pendant that helps much. It doesn’t look very hopeful but creates something like a magnetic field that does not left fleas. I will write again when I have some more info.
That sounds interesting. I’d love to hear more about it.
I am sure your humans are happy for you but I bet they didn’t like the fleas. Most of us don’t.
I once went into a vacant house that used to have cats. I came out and was itching like crazy. I had fleas all over my ankles.
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Wow! Now that’s a great way to sell a house, make sure it comes with free fleas. : )
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What a pain! I too live in Fla and if its not fleas its another type of bug. I would try borax on the carpets and dawn dish soap on the animals. just a suggestion. Best of luck.
I worked for a pest control company for 3 years. They did very well in the South where the bugs don’t get killed off by the cold. Maybe the cold snap we’re having with below freezing weather will help!!
Just a quick suggestion, have you considered adding this plugin on your blog? http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/subscribe-to-double-opt-in-comments/ It encourages people to come back to your blog and see how the discussion is going. Actually I think that this is the one plugin that best converts the occasional commentator in a faithful reader on my own blog. Just a tip and Happy New Year to the whole pack! SY
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I took a look at the page. It sounds like a good idea. I’ll add it to the site.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Chris
It sounds like a serious battle. I hope you will find the best solution and I wish you a great deal of luck!
It really has been. I think we have them beat for the moment, but I have no doubt they will try to come back. Soon, we will do another round of spraying, dipping, etc. to keep them at bay.
Flea is always been an issue with me and my dog. I regularly get him a bath and manually pulling out the fleas on him and stumping it with a rock so that it wouldn’t get back. It sounds so irritating but I love my dog so I’ll do what ever it takes.
I’ve notice that few days after fleas come back. I’ve always clean the backyard where we stroll and play around but fleas came coming back in. What would be the best thing to do with it? (feed-up)
I can tell you what has worked for us. I believe that will be the topic of my next article. : )
Excellent stuff!Thank you very much for sharing. Your information always proves to be useful.
The more people I meet, the better I like my dog! | Bobby
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Happy New Year All! I read your post about the pit bull & the puppies and I can’t help but feel bad for the mother and her puppies, lets home they all found loving homes. As far as the fleas go I’m glad that you all got it cleared up, you mentioned that your in Fla. and about the warm weather well YOU ALL have been in the news lately…not that warm right now are ya?
I know here in the New England we have horrible trouble with ticks and my cat has always been treated with Frontline and it had always worked. The past year it hasn’t been working that well and it’s a worrying thought to think that they could be immune to the Frontline. jj
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Now that we have stopped the recurring infestation, Comfortis seems to be keeping up. I just hope it will last.
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Thanks,
Nancy.
Fleas are a nightmare. Luckily, Advantage works for me. Hopefully the stinky little fleas don’t become immune to it.
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They never seemed to work very well, the fleas would simply move further down the dog.
i wonder why god create fleas?
is there any positive function to us?
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I hate fleas. fleas are all useless parasitic creatures
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Fleas and ticks are a nuisance for sure but don’t assume freezing temperatures will kill them off. Our vet has been finding fleas and ticks on dogs throughout the Winter season
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