Fleas/Dawn dish detergent?

[donnarod]

Tricksie has fleas again and she never goes in the yard. We have a large home and a big screened in pool with all ceramic tile, how does she get them? Advantage didn't work, switched to Frontline and it helped for a while. It has been awfully dry here and it has been less than 3 weeks that I put Frontline on her. We get a Farmer's magazine and it said to use Dawn dish detergent. Has anyone tried it? I know that I will have to put the conditioner and moisturizer on to keep it from drying her skin.

[chachi]

Yes I have used it and it works

[Ladymom]

Fleas can come in through screens or even be carried in on your pant legs. Since you are in Florida, it's a year round problem.

Dawn will kill the live fleas that are on her which are only about 5% of the fleas, unfortunately, if they are in your house. Most are flea eggs and larvae that live in your carpeting.

Mix it 50/50 Dawn and water and put it on a dry dog, then lather. Leave the lather on as long as possible, then rinse.

If you think this is a brand new infestation, get a Capstar pill from your vet. It will kill the live fleas and sterilize any eggs.

If they continue to be a problem, you may have to treat your carpet. I swear by Adams carpet powder. It's hard to find (it has to be the powder, not the spray so you can work it down into the carpet). I know other people who swear by 20 Mule Team Borax.

[Yorkieluv]

If I were you, I would treat the carpet either of the products that Ladymom mentioned. You can sprinkle the 20 Mule Team Borax all over your carpets and let it sit for a few hours. At some point while the borax is on your carpets, bathe your baby in the regular dawn dish soap and let it sit for a few minutes. This will kill the fleas that are on her. Condition, then dry her hair. After the borax sits on your carpet for a few hours, vacuum everything up really well. Then you can let your baby back on the carpet. Do not allow her to sniff the borax or ingest it.

[donnarod]

I do appreciate your advise. My house is ceramic tile except in the bedroom, and she is not in that room except at night. I would think that if they were in the carpet that they would jump on me.
"To bath we go with Dawn" 50/50.
Thanks again,
Donna

[micc1]

I have been online regarding the flea problem before and the Dawn was suggested: "original Dawn". Well, there are many types of Dawn - with bleach, OXY, hand conditioners, foam etc., but no more "original". The closest is "ultra", which I guess is just a concentrated form of the original, so the 50/50 mix I guess is for the ultra?

I thought we had the problem licked but this morning yet another flea jumped on me from Sargie. I never could find the Adams powder, so thanks for the 20 Mule Team advice - first I've seen this advice. Easy to find, cheap and since borax kills other insects I'm sure it works. Hope this is the answer I'm looking for. I used Sargent's Natural Spray (a mix of eucalyptus and clove oils which evidently works, and can be sprayed on upholstery and curtains as well as carpets and doesn't stain - but it doesn't smell as pleasant as you think eucalyptus and clove would, and evidently didn't get all of them) and insecticides on the carpets but he has to be getting them from there.

Be thankful that they haven't "jumped on [you]" - I had horrible flea bites on my legs (from the sofa) a couple of months ago. Evidently fleas, like mosquitos, go more for certain people than others. Someone told me that the fleas in her house bothered no one except her young son, who was plagued (while the other young son was unscathed). You're lucky if they don't like you!

[DONNADEE]

if you have a dollar general they still carry the original dawn

[micc1]

Dollar General is Family Dollar here, but when I checked they didn't have it..only the fancy-schmancy derivatives. I have checked the Target, Wal-Mart, supermarkets and dollar stores - if they have Dawn, they don't have the original. Strange, huh?

[DONNADEE]

Do You Have A Dollar Tree They May Have It

[donnarod]

I just gave Tricksie a bath in the "Dawn Orginal", and put Mane n Tail Conditioner/Moisterizer on her. We will see if it takes care of the problem.

[micc1]

I tried Dollar Tree - we have a huge one - no luck there either!

[DONNADEE]

Do You Have Old Hardware Store Or Old Drugstore Or Even Old Grocery Store Near By.

[donnarod]

I found the original at Winn Dixie.
Today, no fleas but she only had a few.
Last year my husband brought home an abandoned Austrialian Sheppard and put him in the garage, WELL, when I walked in there the fleas jumped all over me and they do bite. We had an awful time getting rid of them. I bought Raid Flea Bomber in the purple can, safe for animals but you have to wait 24 hours and air it out. It worked and has a nice scent.
I love all the advice you all give.

[barneybu]

I like everything petco has BUT I like to kill them dead with these spa products (cuter and more friendly...):

www.happytails.com or boutiques


flea the scene

and then

fur better (to keep them from getting dry skin)

good luck!

[donnarod]

Originally Posted by barneybu

I like everything petco has BUT I like to kill them dead with these spa products (cuter and more friendly...):

www.happytails.com or boutiques


flea the scene

and then

fur better (to keep them from getting dry skin)

good luck!

When I clicked on www.happytails.com, it says page can't be found.