Critter question for JasonJ.

[Boomyal]

Jason, my little doggie keeps getting fleas. He probably picks them up from sitting and laying on the lawn. Can't imagine how any self respecting flees would still be out in this cold and often wet weather. Also can't imagine a pooch going out and laying in the lawn when it is pooring rain, but he does.<br /><br />Are you aware of any products that I could spray or spread on the lawn, that are not terribly obnoxious, that would take care of fleas?<br /><br />Years ago, with another pooch, we had Chemlawn. They would spray for bugs associated with harming grass. Our pooch would react poorly to it for several days after the treatment so we quit using them.<br /><br />Stay tuned, later I will also have a bee (I think they are bees, but not the obvious honey type) question and a picture to go with.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

ever heard of advantage.--- in FLA a lot of us that seven dust (use to use chlorodane), put 3/4 cup powder in hose sprayer, fill with water, hook to hose and spray, keep shaking the container to keep solution mixed. it takes care of fleas, ticks, ants, bees. and lawn pest, doesn't effect pets, you actually can dust you dog (not cat) lightly with the stuff.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

Boom, the fleas are unaffected by temperature. They will go dormant outside, and it is not a big stretch for them to come out of their dormancy if there is a nice warm host laying on top or in proximity of them. They can be very difficult to deal with, as you can tell. It seems like there is always a revolving door when it comes to them. the problem is there is not any consumer products available that does what needs to be done when it comes to the lawn. We use chemicals that sterilize adults and have growth inhibitors to prevent the young from growing to adulthood. This is in addition to the adulticides that have been applied. Then there is the environmental asect of dealing with exposure to weather and the degradation that results. <br /><br />What you can try is cropping the grass in the suspect area very short, and buying something with Permethrin in it, and liberally dousing the area. That might help, but you may also want to just call your local exterminator. It may be cheaper than spending all your money on mhome products. I can't vouch for your local companies, but the company I worked for charged $95 with warranty, inside and out. More than worth it to me. Good luck, I know it can be infuriating.

 

[ED21]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

Have you tried Frontline? You apply it to the dogs neck & it will kill fleas for 2 or 3 months. As far as I know you have to get it from a vet.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

Originally posted by Ed:<br /> Have you tried Frontline? You apply it to the dogs neck & it will kill fleas for 2 or 3 months. As far as I know you have to get it from a vet.

yeah Ed, we tried that from the vet. he continued to scratch and we kept finding fleas on him. We might try to get some Advantage. They have big claims.<br /><br />TD mentioned Advantage as a powder that you could mix and spray on the lawn but I could only find a link for the doses that you apply directly to the dog. And that appears to only come in a squeeze tube and be available from a Vet.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

Thanks Jason, we might just do that. (call a pro)<br />We sprayed the pooch down yesterday then gave him a bath. This morning, the fleas are back.

 

[flashback]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

Hey Boom, my guess is the fleas are living in your home..and that's where he's getting them from.. one sure way to find out, is give the dog to a friend to keep for about a week. without the dog around, the little SOB's will start chewing on you.. Ive had good results with bug bombs, but you gotta leave the house closed up for a while..good luck, they can be a pain...

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

A good trick to find fleas in your house is to put a baking pan with enough water to cover the bottom and a little dish soap. Put the pan on the floor with a light next to it when you go to bed at night. I the morning, check to see if you caught any fleas...I did. Seem they are attracted to the light and the jump in the pan of water and die. Might work...might not. Give it a go.<br /><br />Dave

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

Daves trick does work. Another trick it to take a balloon and blow it up, and set it next to a glueboard. they are attracted to the CO2 that seaps through the balloons skin, and end up getting stuck on the glueboard. The only reason I recommended a pro is that there are a lot of steps to proper flea control.<br /><br />I'll list them:<br /><br />Take pet to vet and have it treated, must have proof of this for exterminator or house won't be treated (thats our policy). <br /><br />Vacuum thoroughly the carpet, under all beds and cusions, dispose of bag. <br /><br />Remove all linen, and wash in hot water.<br /><br />Destroy all pet beds and get new ones.<br /><br />The pros treat all carpet, upholstry, cushions, matresses, all of it, as well as the exterior.<br /><br />In our area, (your pro may do things a bit different), if these steps have not been met, we will not treat the house.<br /><br />This is why home product use rarely works, especially on persistent heavy infestation. There is just too much that is missed when a person tries to do it themselves.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

Last year I had posted about Keeper having them bad. I bought 2 gallons of stuff called "Home Defense". It comes with a sprayer. I sprayed all the floors, rugs, his bed, under furniture, baseboards 2X, appliances, and just about every square inch of the house. Then I sprayed it on the area of the lawn he uses. I repeated the same steps 3 more times 5 days apart. I then rubbed him down with Avons Skin-so-soft. That did it! Then this spring I sprayed the house down and the yard area. I was really surprised he didn't get any this year at all. Guess I will keep up my routine.<br /><br />I bought the stuff at Home Depot. Each gallon was under 10 bucks. <br /><br />I know I took a chance on putting the Skin-so-Soft on him. I figured that if it is safe to put on children it should be okay for him. After the treatment of it, the fleas were soon gone.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

Boom:<br />Diazinon will keep fleas and tick from invading the lawn...it's still legal in most states. Inside you should use a flea bomb. If you plan to be away from home for a couple hours...bomb the house, but don't use the weak department store stuff, get it from a vet or commercial pet care facility. A good flea bomb should last 4 to 6 months this time of year.<br /><br />Fleas will live ver well in your carpets and furniture, so you don't want them in your house. If there are infants or young children they'll get them too. I was very embarassed years back when taking my young children to the pediatrician for severe rashes, only to find that the cause was fleas. Spend twenty for a good flea bomb and relax for the winter.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

One quick word about Diazinon, is that it is banned for purchase by consumers, but you are allowed to buy what is still on the shelf. Once that is gone, its gone. It was banned due to incorrect use by consumers, the old "if some works, more works better" theory. Then that whole Chemical Poisoning thing came about, people getting sick and all. What most people don't know is you are only supposed to use limited amounts of chemical per year on a household. The profesional applicator is held to this, and can get in serious trouble if it is violated. <br /><br />The consumer products are usually at a diluted enough concentration that they couldn't get themselves in trouble, but Diazinon was an exception. Most reputable pest control companies ask you what you have used, and how much of it you have used. If they feel that you over treated, they will not treat your house. I had gone to houses where the lawn have so much Diazinon flake that it looked like it had snowed. I would not treat that house, it is difficult to predict how the chemicals may react with each other. Get a pro, its cheaper and safer....

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Critter question for JasonJ.

http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/struct/ef628.htm <br /><br /><br /> http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/struct/ef602.htm