Fleas

I am embarrassed to admit it but we got a flea problem from our pets and even thought we treat them with medicine and special collars, we still have it in our couches etc.  What should we do? Thank you for any help!!

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RE:
Fleas (Aug 6, 2019)

You have to vacuum repeatedly under the couch cushions, ideally wash the cushions, and vacuum the upholstery of the couch itself. You can also put down baking soda (I think) to suffocate the fleas under the cushions. We had to do this nearly every day to really get rid of the eggs, but you should also talk to your vet about a better treatment. Our cat had incessant fleas and they ate us up (our younger kid was always looking so destroyed!). I couldn't sleep because of the itching. We've finally gotten it under control, but it's a lot of work. You shouldn't be embarrassed, though. It's not like you rolled around in the garden! You have to keep vacuuming to capture the life cycle of the eggs. Good luck!

RE:
Fleas (Aug 6, 2019)

 I remember having good luck with fleabusters years ago, they use a non-toxic treatment - http://www.fleabustersca.com/.   I hope you won’t mind if I add in that if you’re giving your animals a monthly medicine and still having fleas I think there are better options out there for you .  Some of the traditional medicines like Frontline and Aadvantage don’t seem as effective as some of the newer ones.  I use NexGard  and I have never seen a flea on my dog.  It could be the fleas are in your furniture and keep reinfesting your animals but you might wanna ask your vet what they recommend. Good luck!

RE:
Fleas (Aug 6, 2019)

Food grade diatomaceous earth! 

RE:
Fleas (Aug 6, 2019)

Put a flea collar in the vacuum bag and then vacuum. Also, train your dogs to sleep in their bed. And if you put a pillowcase or something similar on the couch, the cat will choose to sleep on that. Then wash the bedding regularly. 

The eggs and larvae live in the bedding. So if you can keep the bedding clean, you break the lifecycle. When you are trying to control an insect, it is easier if you understand them. Try reading this: 

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7419.html

RE:
Fleas (Aug 6, 2019)

Fleas are incredibly hearty, and their eggs can live for months in carpet.   To get rid of fleas in our home we had to have all our rugs cleaned (we have all hardwood floors), vacuumed our upholstered furniture and used Fleabusters powder in the corners, cleaned all bedspreads and pillows, bathed our cat and dog, gave them Capstar and then put them on new flea medications (after first consulting with their vet).  It was quite the ordeal, but we have now been flea free for 8 months.  Note that cats are much more sensitive to natural oils than dogs, so if you have cats you need to be really careful about the products you use.  Good luck!

RE:
Fleas (Aug 6, 2019)

We had the same problem. We had to get the oral anti flea meds (prescription) from the vet.

RE:
Fleas (Aug 6, 2019)

Ask tour vet for Bravector, it's like magic, it will keep your pets out of fleas for 3 months, you will see them dying 30 seconds after you give them the pill!!!
That will help you to break the cycle of the fleas , and that way the fumigation will be effective

RE:
Fleas (Aug 6, 2019)

Don't be embarrassed this is flea season.  Had similar issues with fleas.  First read-up on fleas and the life of a flea.  Flea eggs are viable for 2 years or more.  Fleas can live for 3 or 4 months between meals.  Point I'm making is this isn't going to be easy.  If you have it this bad you need to flea bomb two maybe three times. Flea bombs are not effective against flea eggs only hatched fleas. Vacuum like crazy if not daily every other day.  Give you pet a flea treatment bath weekly.  Dig through the fur on your pets to see if they are infested.  Look for black crumbs like burnt toast or ground black pepper.  Get it wet, if it turns red, you know what you have.  Wash your pets in baby shampoo of some other shampoo.  The shampoo will suffocate the fleas killing them.   Dish soap dies the same. 

Do you know the source of the fleas?  If could be there's a flea infestation in your neighbors yard or a park and the fleas are just hopping on you.  Remember they can "jump" over a foot.  Any rat infestations?  Fleas like rats.  Any rat infestation?  When you enter your house leave your shoes outside.  Or place in a large plastic bag you can seal.  Look to see if you see any fleas in the bag a few hours later.  We found the source of fleas to be a dog park.  A flea can jump on you to hitch a ride.  Then jump off hours later. 

Forget all of the natural stuff.  I've tried diatomaceous earth, baking soda, lemon oil, slat, rosemary, apple cider, etc.  None of that worked for me or any other pet owner I have talked to.  

You can win this battle.  But you need to be aggressive.  Washing your pet, flea bombs and daily vacuuming are your tools. 

Many of us have been there.  Good luck.