I'm back with another in my series on pet advice. This one is about inexpensive ways to get rid of fleas in the house. :-)
How To Get Rid Of Fleas:
Try diatomaceous earth. You can get it at most farm supply stores and garden centers. It is relatively inexpensive and is non-toxic for mammals.
First, vacuum all surfaces thoroughly. That includes: carpet, furniture, under furniture, linoleum/tile/hardwood. And wash all bedding, yours and your pets', in hot water and lots of soap. Also, vacuum your mattress.
Then, work the diatomaceous earth into the carpet with a stiff brush or broom and let it sit overnight. The following day, vacuum thoroughly and take the vacuum bag outside. If you're using a bagless vacuum, dump the canister outside and wash it out with bleach.
After you've vacuumed, work more diatomaceous earth into the carpet and let it sit for a week. Then, vacuum the carpet again and take the bag outside. After this, the fleas should be gone.
This procedure also works with boric acid powder, which can be found in most pharmacies. It does not require a prescription and it is cheap. Of course, the best way to get rid of fleas, and keep them gone, is to use a product like Frontline or Advantage (or whatever flea product is recommended by your veterinarian) on your pet. :-) Good luck!
Carol uses Advantages Multi and Revolution for fleas, worms and ear mites. With a rescue population to care for, we need to keep them all under control and those products work well and fast. Carol was concerned that cats might inhale the diatomaceous earth and cause lung damage.
ReplyDeleteThis is her feeling, she never discussed it with a veterinarian. If it is a concern, you might want to make the effort.
Carol and I had an ethical discussion about d.e. She believes that since the fleas ingest the diatomaceous earth and then it rips up their internal organs, causing them to hemorrhage to death, it was the equivalent of mass flea slaughter (as opposed to breeding control with Advantage). I'm not sure most people's ethics or empathy extend to that scale.
Thank you for your comment! :-) I've discussed D.E. with a couple of vets, and according to them it's completely safe for mammals. Some people even mix it with horse feed to keep it free of ants and it doesn't hurt the horses to eat it. Boric acid powder is more of a concern when it comes to respiratory problems, but I've been advised by a vet that it's safe enough as long as it's used in a well-ventilated area.
DeleteI'm afraid my empathy doesn't extend as far as parasites. ;-) Especially, when you consider that flea infestations can lead to serious health concerns for their hosts and also result in additional parasitation by tape worms, which can also have serious health consequences.
I agree, Advantage, Frontline, and Revolution are excellent products and I use them on my own pets and rescue. But they are expensive, and not everyone can afford them. They are also not safe for all animals, especially the very young, which makes alternative solutions like D.E. useful to know about. :-)
Thank you for bringing up these options for fleas...i have never heard of this de or boric acid for fleas...we use advantage on our little kitty dusty and its working great.
ReplyDeleteYes! Advantage is a great product. :-)
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