savingdogs
Queen Filksinger
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2009
- Messages
- 5,478
- Reaction score
- 5
- Points
- 221
We have a tick problem here more than a flea problem so I use the frontline plus. Expensive but better than ticks in my house.
Natural control for fleas?
- Thread starter mrbstephens
- Start date
MsPony
Lovin' The Homestead
How could I make a spray to put on the pooch? Our house is horribly infested, old tenant used Vons brand flea collars, uneffective in my town!!
I got some natural stuff, but after I sprayed him I cound FIFTEEN fleas on his tummy. He is due for advatix soon, and I use capstar too. I'm thinking program as well.
I can't use DE, I have tarantulas
I got some natural stuff, but after I sprayed him I cound FIFTEEN fleas on his tummy. He is due for advatix soon, and I use capstar too. I'm thinking program as well.
I can't use DE, I have tarantulas
Farmfresh
City Biddy
I would probably use a oil of some kind on his body to suffocate the varmits and then shampoo him with dish soap or a oil cutting type of shampoo at first. I can't stress enough how well the salt works in the house.
Beekissed
Mountain Sage
I use a little garlic powder on the dog's food now and again also. They are outside dogs and wear a flea collar but the garlic seems to be the ticket for long term flea deterrent. Seems fleas don't like garlic... 
I have used the brewer's yeast with garlic tablets for 20 years now (multi-dog household). Feed one tablet per 10 pounds of dog- I actually give one over that. They love them and think the tablets are treats. 
I de- flea and get rid of any infestations brought in, like from visiting my in-laws once whose cats were infested. (whatever that takes- weekly flea shampoos, DE in the carpet and beds)
I have never liked the spot on flea treatments, and prefer to use the toxic remedies as short a time as possible.
I de- flea and get rid of any infestations brought in, like from visiting my in-laws once whose cats were infested. (whatever that takes- weekly flea shampoos, DE in the carpet and beds)I have never liked the spot on flea treatments, and prefer to use the toxic remedies as short a time as possible.
savingdogs
Queen Filksinger
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2009
- Messages
- 5,478
- Reaction score
- 5
- Points
- 221
I have worked for veterinarians for six years and in that time have only seen one reaction to Frontline and it was pretty mild. I've seen a couple of reactions to Advantage. But usually the spot-on treatments that cause problems are the over-the-counter products, especially Hartz. There are some products for dogs that are highly toxic to cats if applied accidentely. Advantix is highly toxic to cats. Capstar just kills all the fleas that are on your pet at that time and you probably have many in your environment if you see that many on the dog. My vets have never liked products with pyrethrins. Those are the bad spot on products.
If you want to try natural remedies for fleas, you need to prevent an infestation which it sounds like you have right now. I have known many people however, that were able to control flea populations by being very very clean and meticulous. Daily vacuuming, especially around the baseboards, Washing of bedding, flea combing the animals, and keeping your pet from going anywhere fleas are, like parks. I've known many people who found garlic and brewers yeast ineffective. I'll be willing to bet Beekissed and valmom are very clean housekeepers! I am in no way saying that you have been dirty.....fleas tend to collect in certain places and you need to specifically clean those places regularly. Personally I'm too busy for daily baseboard vacuuming with my crew, a few of whom are usually fresh from the humane society.
I also think that fleas are different regionally. When I lived in California we could never seem to control the fleas no matter what we did although that was before we had some of our current product choices. Here in Washington state, it seems much much easier, in fact, it is a piece of cake for me to control the fleas here. But I am the one who uses Frontline Plus because of the ticks. I do use it sparingly because of the cost and I don't cover every animal in my home at all times, but I do really think it is the easiest way to control fleas and I've never seen any dog of mine or any of my 337 foster dogs or 50 plus foster cats have any problem whatsoever with it or have any fleas left. So I've really used it on a lot of animals. I foster dogs from the humane society and believe me, they all have fleas from there!
I know this is a thread for natural remedies, but I think once you have the flea population under control, then you can go to using more natural remedies such as a lot of vacuuming and laundering. Other things like DE and salt do discourage certain cycles of the flea. But I'd use Frontline till they are GONE and then keep them away with natural stuff.
Sorry, that two cents turned into a dollar!
If you want to try natural remedies for fleas, you need to prevent an infestation which it sounds like you have right now. I have known many people however, that were able to control flea populations by being very very clean and meticulous. Daily vacuuming, especially around the baseboards, Washing of bedding, flea combing the animals, and keeping your pet from going anywhere fleas are, like parks. I've known many people who found garlic and brewers yeast ineffective. I'll be willing to bet Beekissed and valmom are very clean housekeepers! I am in no way saying that you have been dirty.....fleas tend to collect in certain places and you need to specifically clean those places regularly. Personally I'm too busy for daily baseboard vacuuming with my crew, a few of whom are usually fresh from the humane society.
I also think that fleas are different regionally. When I lived in California we could never seem to control the fleas no matter what we did although that was before we had some of our current product choices. Here in Washington state, it seems much much easier, in fact, it is a piece of cake for me to control the fleas here. But I am the one who uses Frontline Plus because of the ticks. I do use it sparingly because of the cost and I don't cover every animal in my home at all times, but I do really think it is the easiest way to control fleas and I've never seen any dog of mine or any of my 337 foster dogs or 50 plus foster cats have any problem whatsoever with it or have any fleas left. So I've really used it on a lot of animals. I foster dogs from the humane society and believe me, they all have fleas from there!
I know this is a thread for natural remedies, but I think once you have the flea population under control, then you can go to using more natural remedies such as a lot of vacuuming and laundering. Other things like DE and salt do discourage certain cycles of the flea. But I'd use Frontline till they are GONE and then keep them away with natural stuff.
Sorry, that two cents turned into a dollar!
Farmfresh
City Biddy
I hear horror stories all of the time from my D1 (vet tech) who has seen a LOT of bad reaction problems to the Hartz products. They are made to be cheap and trust me they ARE CHEAP.
I have received instructions from her to NEVER buy a Hartz product due to the things she has seen. Even their pet foods for small pets seem to be lacking.
Just thought I would back you up on that one.
I have received instructions from her to NEVER buy a Hartz product due to the things she has seen. Even their pet foods for small pets seem to be lacking.
Just thought I would back you up on that one.
savingdogs
Queen Filksinger
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2009
- Messages
- 5,478
- Reaction score
- 5
- Points
- 221
I seem to remember hearing at work that Hartz is not allowed to make certain products anymore.
I have not used many of these products, but I have used BioSpot and found it ineffective. I've also taken flea collars off dogs time and time again that were swarming with fleas.
I have not used many of these products, but I have used BioSpot and found it ineffective. I've also taken flea collars off dogs time and time again that were swarming with fleas.
Beekissed
Mountain Sage
Actually, Beekissed doesn't have any animals living in her home...although the cats and dogs do visit on occasion. Under no circumstances could my home be considered super clean...I have three grown sons!
I just use the garlic and such as a preventative and to try and keep my yard clear of an infestation. I once lived at a place that had a huge flea infestation in the grass around the home....impossible to do anything about this unless you poison the whole blamed place!!!!
So, now I just work on keeping this from happening. Haven't used any of the oil application flea treatments for many years now. I use flea powder on the cats on occasion but mainly just use the garlic powder in their tuna juice treats.
Under no circumstances could my home be considered super clean...I have three grown sons! I just use the garlic and such as a preventative and to try and keep my yard clear of an infestation. I once lived at a place that had a huge flea infestation in the grass around the home....impossible to do anything about this unless you poison the whole blamed place!!!!
So, now I just work on keeping this from happening. Haven't used any of the oil application flea treatments for many years now. I use flea powder on the cats on occasion but mainly just use the garlic powder in their tuna juice treats.
bgelber
Enjoys Recycling
baby shampoo works also. We have 6 dogs and 7 cats, we bath them in the baby shampoo, nothing else and we don't have fleas. Yes the dogs go outside. We do have our yard treated plus we have chickens to eat the bugs.
