Barbie's Flea Dilemma

[Azusateach]

Barbie, I'm creating a separate thread in the chance you might see this. I originally posted it on the Wednesday morning thread, but my guess is you don't go back that far to read things. So here's what I posted ...


Barbie, I'm not sure why you're having such a hard time getting rid of the fleas.

One thought is that there are critters with fleas that continue to frequent your yard. As cute as they are, they're also carriers of all sorts of stuff. If you want to permanently get rid of the fleas you need to remove anything that could remotely provide them with a way to get into your house. And to be blunt, quit feeding them.

As expensive as Advantix or Frontline is, they're effective. I use it on the dogs, but only every other month and we have absolutely no problem with fleas, and they're outside on our grass all the time. And I've never, ever used anything on my cats and they've never had fleas.

Maybe it's time to bite the bullet and take your kitties to the vet to get them freed from the fleas. Then bomb the house. Get some Borax and put it on your carpet and leave it for 24 hours. That means the kitties stay at the vet until all of this is done.

For whatever reason, you're in a house that simply isn't going to be easy to get rid of them. I think that you'll be dealing with them forever if you don't use drastic measures.

Laura

[Bethers]

I agree with everything you said, Laura, except your statement that Frontline is effective. I had to switch Peaches off Frontline because it didn't work at all... And I found that wasn't unusual.

[Azusateach]

I agree with everything you said, Laura, except your statement that Frontline is effective. I had to switch Peaches off Frontline because it didn't work at all... And I found that wasn't unusual.

I understand, Beth. We’ve used both topical applications over the years and have never, ever had flea or tick issues. Don’t know why, but we’ve been fortunate. So I can’t speak to either brand’s efficacy, since I don’t know which worked more than the other. We just don’t have a flea issue, no matter what we use. And this is with THREE dogs and one cat in the house.

Laura

[OregonLuvr]

My neighbor uses Nexguard. I dont use anything on Emma as she just doesnt have fleas. And no ticks here unless we go in the woods or brush and that isnt happening. I dont have alot of grass around here, just up in the dog park and we dont go there that often. She has just as much fun going on a walk and fetching her toys here in the yard.

[Irmi]

We used to use Frontline on Teddy but that was sort lived. Vet said it works mostly on cats. So went to Advantix for many years until he became immune to that, too. After that, he was on a prescription pill, and for the life of me, I don't remember the name, and it worked until he crossed Rainbow Bridge. We had a stupid tenant that apparently didn't use flea protection, and I can't even tell you how many times we had to bomb the apartment so we could rent it out. Bombs work, but you have to stay with the system.

[Acadianmom]

I have been lucky that I don't have a flea problem in the house but I fight it year round. All the house cats except one go out and in all day. I feed some of the outside cats in the old house that flooded and as soon as I see a flea I set off a bomb. I'm glad I don't have to use that in here. My neighbor traps the raccoons and possums and relocates them so that probably helps. I think they eat his grapes and he has chickens.

Martha

[retiredhappy]

I had flea problems when I lived in California = had carpets. I fed skunks and raccoons all the time. My cats and dogs were indoor animals, only going out to potty. If they didn't track the fleas in, I probably did. Here I have seven dogs and no fleas. NO CARPET. vinyl wood floors. I don't use any flea killing products at all, indoors or out or on the dogs. If you use poison to treat your yard you will end up killing birds, and any other critter who come into your yard. Part of the problem in California is the mild weather - doesn't freeze long enough to kill anything.