FLEAS OMG! Grrr!!!

[Zeus is Loved]

Here in Mississippi we have fleas and mosquitoes year round, so heart worm and flea therapy is very important. Zeusy takes Sentinel for heart worms, and a half of a Comfortis for fleas. The vet didn't recommend the topicals because his hair is oily already, and he has to have a bath at least once a week. It has been "cold" here for the past week -- highs in the 50's and lows in the low 30's/high 20's (please don't laugh at our southern "cold" -- this is cold for us). That is why we have the beasts year round though. We only get about 6-8 weeks of this weather a year (if we're lucky). I hope the flea situation gets better.

[Cindy_17]

Originally Posted by gracielove

When you have a big infestation most topical flea meds say you can reapply after two weeks but that should not be done as a regular thing. In some areas the fleas develop a resistance to various chemicals so it could be that your fleas are resistant to the particular chemical you used.

Capstar is good at killing the fleas that are on the body but is short acting. It is usually recommended that you use Capstar first and then use the longer acting chemical.

Personally, I hate using chemicals on my babies but those awful fleas have just been unyielding to natural methods.

Vacuuming is the other major weapon. Vacuum under your furniture cushions and along the edges of the rooms, anywhere those horrid bugs can lay eggs! Continue to vacuum regularly until you have beat them.

Wash bedding in hot water and dry in a dryer if you can. I would not use more chemicals in the house though. You don't want to over due your or their exposure to them.

Diatomaceous Earth is a natural product that can be sprinkled outside and inside your home and kills fleas that come in contact with it. It is also not very expensive if you buy it in the right place.

Thank God I am not infested with fleas, I have been to heck and back cleaning, bathing and washing since I seen the first fleas on Presley. I can see where an infestation could easily occur if you didn't diligently stay on it when you see a flea.

As far as chemicals, when I saw the first flea I didn't care what kind of chemical had to be used outside, I wanted them gone. My husband attained something as he has his commercial chemical applicators license. Unfortunately for all of us the stuff that works and the stuff they do not get immune to has been taken off the market. Diazinon was used for years, that stuff works great and in most cases you would only have to treat a couple times a year at most. However enter in our over zealous government and it is banned except for certain uses, we can thank the big EPA movement that Clinton introduced for that.

[Cindy_17]

Originally Posted by Zeus is Loved

Here in Mississippi we have fleas and mosquitoes year round, so heart worm and flea therapy is very important. Zeusy takes Sentinel for heart worms, and a half of a Comfortis for fleas. The vet didn't recommend the topicals because his hair is oily already, and he has to have a bath at least once a week. It has been "cold" here for the past week -- highs in the 50's and lows in the low 30's/high 20's (please don't laugh at our southern "cold" -- this is cold for us). That is why we have the beasts year round though. We only get about 6-8 weeks of this weather a year (if we're lucky). I hope the flea situation gets better.

Lol I love Southern winters, however ours last longer than yours here in SC So most of the time in the winter we have no bug problems. I wish our winters were shorter, I deal with the heat and humidity much easier than the cold. I will say it was weird Christmas shopping in shorts and flip flops

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by Cindy_17

Thank God I am not infested with fleas, I have been to heck and back cleaning, bathing and washing since I seen the first fleas on Presley. I can see where an infestation could easily occur if you didn't diligently stay on it when you see a flea.

As far as chemicals, when I saw the first flea I didn't care what kind of chemical had to be used outside, I wanted them gone. My husband attained something as he has his commercial chemical applicators license. Unfortunately for all of us the stuff that works and the stuff they do not get immune to has been taken off the market. Diazinon was used for years, that stuff works great and in most cases you would only have to treat a couple times a year at most. However enter in our over zealous government and it is banned except for certain uses, we can thank the big EPA movement that Clinton introduced for that.

Did you know that you are not supposed to apply the topical flea medications for 3 days after a bath? They won't work if you apply any sooner. It has something to do with their having to mix with the oils in the skin to absorb properly.
I know I applied the product that I usually use too soon once and it did not work at all. I don't have the insert here right now but I think you can apply 3 days before a bath or three days after for the topical to work properly.

[Zoey Zendaya]

Originally Posted by Tay65

We have snow! Lol. This is nuts!

Same here! I just found 2 on both of mine. My vet told me to warm some towels in a dryer , give them a bath in their regular shampoo, lathering them up good. , them wrap them in towel....lather and all....for 5 minutes ....keeping them warm....then rinse good....this suffocates them ...then wash everything in sight they have laid on...night bedding especially ANNNNND vacuum thoroughly! Throwing out your vacuum bag liner...this did it for me! Good luck!

[Zoey Zendaya]

Suffocates the fleas not the babies lol!