Battling fleas!

[MiamiE]

Seems as though I have a new found flea infestation in my backyard. I use K9 Advantage on both my dogs but still have to remove the occasional flea after they are outside. Today my 12 week old puppy had tapeworm segments in her stool. After some research it seems this is contracted after eating a flea carrying the eggs. I just got done giving her last dose of parasitic and this comes up. Going to the vet in the AM to see what he says. I am worried my other dog can get the worms, as well as my wife and I! Anyone have any personal experience dealing with fleas, and worms? I am also looking to buy a good insecticide for the yard and for my carpet inside the house. Any recommendations? Thanks guys!

[neoflex]

Not sure what to do about the fleas. Maybe an exterminator. Since moving to NC my wife and I have been using a company since day 1 and they come on a regular basis and we have zero bug issues in the house and our two dogs never had any kind of flea issues. We don't even use the medication they have unless we see any fleas on them which was only once on our Carolina Dog (American Dingo) when they spent a good part of the day playing at the dog park.
As far as worms go I wouldn't be too concerned about your other dogs or your wife and yourself as long as you start medicating her right away. The Carolina Dog we have got worms once when we went back to NY for a week one Christmas. We noticed it when we stopped on the way home to let the dogs out and saw them in the back of the car on the blanket. It was disgusting to say the least. We called the Vet on the way home and ordered her medication so we could have a friend pick it up as it was a Saturday afternoon and they're closed on Sundays. We got home and started giving her the medication and she was good within a couple of days. We kept an eye on our Min Pins stool and had her tested but she never got it and she was riding in the back of the car with the other dog and when we were in NY they were crated at night together whereas at home they stay in their own crates at night and the Min Pin never got them. I would say as long as the other dogs and you and your wife aren't eating the infected dogs stool you should be good. We think the Carolina Dog got it because she is a Turd burglar.

[MiamiE]

Thanks John! My other dog is definitely not a turd burglar.

[SvilleKid]

Get a spread pest killer (granule) that kills ant and fleas. Spread it around yard area. Always has worked for my yard. As for the house, plan on using a killer, vacuum, the killer again, vacuum again, repeating over at least a week. Maybe longer!

[RGD.]

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

Get a spread pest killer (granule) that kills ant and fleas. Spread it around yard area. Always has worked for my yard. As for the house, plan on using a killer, vacuum, the killer again, vacuum again, repeating over at least a week. Maybe longer!

Agreed. Spread it just like you would lawn fertilizer. I use to do it twice a month. Also keep the grass cut. In addition you can use the spray killers that you attach to a garden hose. Spray bushes, shrubs, ground covers etc to include any nesting areas of squirrels, etc. Pay careful attention to spraying the underside of bushes, shrubs and trees.

Inside - dispose of vacuum bags immediately after use. If using bag-less - empty after use. (Dispose of in outside garbage of course). Pay close attention to bedding areas (where they like to sleep), under beds, furniture where shedding tends to build up. There are several safe sprays that can be used in the home.

Rusty, my beagle, was a flea/tick magnet so I spent a lot of time guarding against and preventing fleas and ticks.

Also - I never had much luck with K9 Advantage. Frontline Plus always worked perfect though. And - make sure that whatever you get comes from your vet. Yes it may cost a few bucks more but I once ordered over the internet - bad mistake. Wasted money on a product that didn't work. Apparently there is a market in bogus/generic/counterfeit pet drugs. Cost me more money in the long run after having to have the vet treat Rusty for what I thought was a skin rash that was actually caused by fleas cause the internet Frontline product was crap.

Good luck with it all.


Ron

On Edit: AS Rusty passed last month - I have one un-opened box of Frontline Plus (3 Applicators) for 23 to 44 lb dogs. It's yours if you want it (if not, it's free for who ever wants it). Just PM me contact info.

[MiamiE]

I don't think the problem is indoors, but I have been vacuuming like a mad man. Will buy some kind of killer tomorrow!

[SvilleKid]

Any brand of yard spread that says it kills ants and fleas outside should work fine. I've used several brands, all seemed to work equally well.

[yakman]

I give my dog a little bit of garlic in there food to make sure they don't get fleas or ticks.

[Eleven]

Originally Posted by yakman

I give my dog a little bit of garlic in there food to make sure they don't get fleas or ticks.

Seriously? this works?

[yakman]

Originally Posted by Eleven

Seriously? this works?

Yes, We spend the summer in high country (the rim for fellow Arizonans) and after giving the dogs garlic haven't had a problem with them since.

[MiamiE]

Thanks so much Ron. Our dogs are real small, around 4-5 lb. each, so I dont think I'll be able to use it.

[mosesbotbol]

Wow this just sucks and solutions are no joy either. Best of luck!

[Sled Dog]

I use this in my backyard: http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Ga...mni=b_EcoSmart

It works well, totally organic and pet safe. I get the one that hooks up to the end of the hose.

[ninjavanish]

Napalm works pretty well.

Of course there's the collateral damage to deal with afterwards...

[Coach Deg]

Originally Posted by ninjavanish

Napalm works pretty well.

Of course there's the collateral damage to deal with afterwards...

.

On a serious note I have had golden retrievers in Florida for the last 18yrs. Everyone has given a lot of good advice. Treat the yard any flea killer and repeat( directions will say in 7 days). I say in 5 days and in 5 again. Must treat rugs if you have any. There is a pill for the dogs I believe it's Capcon? Ask the vet. Knock wood the only time I've had a problem is when my dogs are off my property. Give them a capcon treat the yard and all is good. My first golden was highly allergic to fleas so I used to treat the neighbors yard also.

Good luck!

[Gophernut]

How much garlic? My lab's breath is already bad enough, I can't imagine what it would be like with garlic.

[yakman]

Originally Posted by Eleven

Seriously? this works?

Originally Posted by Gophernut

How much garlic? My lab's breath is already bad enough, I can't imagine what it would be like with garlic.

I just give them a few small pieces. Do you really think it could make any worse.

[Zeuceone]

Try diatomaceous earth or borax which kills fleas.

[EricF]

Originally Posted by Zeuceone

Try diatomaceous earth or borax which kills fleas.

We had a flea infestation in our other house and 20 Mule Team borax(Publix, WInn Dixie) works great to kill them in the house. Sprinkle some in the carpet and under the cushions in your couches and chairs and where your dog sleeps. Works like a champ. It has the borax in it that helps kill the fleas!

[MiamiE]

I bought this powder called Sevin Dust. Supposedly works good, we will soon see!