Greetings, Moms ---
DH and I have a 6-yr-old long-haired German Shepherd Dog. We moved to TX from the Northeast in the beginning of 2007 and have never had a flea problem until we moved here (tick problem, yes; fleas, no). We always treated her with Frontline and continue to do so now, but for some reason we are battling a MAJOR flea problem and if I recall correctly, it was last year at this time that we were battling a major flea problem as well. So, I welcome all advice and thoughts from dog owners out there:
* Could it be that fleas build up a tolerance to Frontline? If so, is there anything better / stronger / more effective that you can recommend?
* Is there anything you would recommend doing (other than constant vacuuming) to the house that would effectively get rid of fleas that would also be safe around a newborn? We have a 3-month old in the house.
* Are fleas a big problem in TX? Or are they just a problem for certain dogs? This question comes about because there is a dog in the yard next to ours that is ALWAYS left outside (and I do mean always) and since he's ALWAYS left outside, if that makes him more attractive to fleas, which spreads to my dog? This might be a stupid question.
We are kind of at our wits end with this issue, and I do appreciate your help. Thanks so much, Moms!
If you don't want to use pesticides on your yard because of pets or children, Howard Garrett (The Dirt Doctor) recommends diatomaceous earth to control fleas in your yard. You can put it in a spreader and spread it all over your yard. Not the swimming pool kind of D.E. tho . . . Celite brand makes a natural freshwater DE that Howard recommends.
My two cents - the only thing you need is Advantage.
We used to have three dogs and one cat - and although now we only have one dog and one cat, we still continue to get into flea trouble a couple times a year. After spending a small fortune on yard, house and pet treatments, my vet recommended Advantage. I think it's a bit more expensive than Frontline. It works great! I think part of our problem was that three neighbors that surround us have dogs - so we just passed them around.
Anyway, at the first sign of flea, we drop the cat and the dog and the fleas are gone in a matter of days. I'm not sure how you feel about Frontline, but my vet said he puts Advantage on the top of his list because, unlike others, it doesn't prevent fleas from getting on your pet. The fleas jump on your pet and then they die. Other meds encourage fleas to stay off - hence breading and eating elsewhere.
Anyway - I've done lots of price searching and here's where we buy ours (I think they're in Canada, but we've purchased twice with no problems). Good luck!
You have received lots of good info for the house; however, have you treated your yard? I treat my yard every year. Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and talk to them about what is best to put down on your yard. I can't seem to remember the name.
Good luck!
I have worked at a vet clinic for over 10 years and here's my advice:
Switch to Advantage (sometimes it just seems to work better for fleas - especially since you're not having a tick problem)
Yes, vacuum, vacuum, vacuum and then immediately throw what's inside the vacuum out in the trash. Never store a vacuum with dirt in your house.
Wash all the dog's bedding in hot water. Keep washing it (maybe once a week or what you can manage) until the flea problem has subsided.
I really don't like to use chemicals in the home, but I will tolerate using Advantage if the baby won't be touching the dog for awhile.
Good luck - feel free to write me if you have any questions.
We have the same peoblem and the only way we are winning is - using ABC Pest and Lawn. They come every three months - we tried everything else. Texas is just a bad place when it comes to fleas. They are a problem year round so you can't think to fight them only in the summer, our started in November! We leave for about half a day and then vacuum every day for a few weeks after they come. Good luck - I know it is hard to bring chemicals into your home, I had the same issues but do your research on what they use to make yourself feel better. They do the yard as well, have to fight it inside and out!
Fleas in Tx are ALWAYS (year round) a huge problem. I have a lab and tried EVERYTHING from the vet that's out there and none of them worked. Then I tried Garlic Powder and Brewer's Yeast (in tab form) and it's the only thing that has worked. You have to give it daily, we just give her her dose in the am with breakfast. Despite the smell, every dog I know has loved it and it's like a treat. If your dog is large be sure to get one that's for large dogs because otherwise they will need like 8 pills of the other. Originally I found it in a healthfood store, then Petsmart/co had them but now I can only find them on-line. If you google "garlic tabs for dogs" you can find them. You will also find some people saying it's dangerous and poisonous for dogs/cats but I have personally found that to be bogus and when I looked in a holistic pet book by a vet she recommended them. My dog's been on them for 2 years and NO fleas and WAY WAY WAY cheaper than chemicals. Plus you don't have to worry with the chemicals, which to me seem much more dangerous than this. Anyways, that's my thoughts. Oh, if you do try it it takes about two weeks to work into their system to see an improvement. In the meantime I would use Adam's flea spray or something on them and bathe them as much as possible. Good luck!!
I have used revolution for years. It is for fleas, ticks, and heartworms. You have to have a perscription from your vet.
I also moved from the Northeast and there is a difference in the "bug" population here....I think it's most likely because it's so warm pretty much year round. Fleas are a brutal thing to deal with and it's a non stop battle. There is a product that you can put on the grass, especially the perimeter near the neighbor dog (how sad, I don't understand why people have dogs to just keep them stuck outside, especially in the TX heat!) Anyway the stuff I'm thinking of is I think called seven, really. But you might want to get a commercial pest control service for this problem and they can really educate you on the chemicals and what they would suggest since you have an infant. They're not as expensive as people think and some companies don't insist on a yearly contract. I've used local small companies and the larger chains and been happy with both.
God bless you and I'm so sorry for your loss.
hi iam T. i herd brewers yeast like what u buy in store placed on lettle wet food and given to pets will repell fleas u can look it on line to see how much i some times go to a herbial web site for advise on a lot of thisng to try .. hope this helps.. T. h
I feel your pain, I have 2 GSD and the older one has an allergy to fleas and chews constantly on her back end. I use the Advatage that I get from my vet, and use the Purple can of Raid flea carpet and room spray about once every six weeks. Also any product you can find from Bengal is so my better. For the flea problem at the change of seasons try the fumigators that is the fog instead of the spray they seem to work better. Good Luck!
Another mom asked about fleas not too long ago. Here is the link to her question.
http://www.mamasource.com/request/8001058715392278529
Maybe you can find some good ideas on how to handle your flea issue in the responses to her post as well.
I do believe our area in general is prone to fleas. I know when I was a child, we had a flea infestation when we had outdoor cats. We have a dog now, but we use Revolution and it seems to work great.
Good luck! I hope you can find something that works to get rid of your flea problem soon!
