How to prevent new fleas from coming when you've just gotten your dog a flea dip?

Question

We recently just got my dog flea dipped and it worked well. But what about the areas he's been laying on. Don't they have fleas on them to? How do I remove the fleas on areas he's been laying on safely so that they don't hop on to my freshly clean dog!

he has his own couch in our den and he has his ow chair in my room!

Answer 1

Many people here have given you some good advice, and some bad advice. Here is the best way to get rid of fleas, and keep them gone!

First, let me tell you that I own a pest control company and I deal with fleas all the time!!!

First, let me tell you that I own a pest control company and I deal with fleas all the time!!!

I would never waste money on getting my dog flea dipped. You can treat the dog with Capstar from the vet's office that will do the same thing for the fraction of the cost and stress of a dip. Second, I would switch back and forth between Frontline and Advantage. One month use one and the next use the other. The reason that this is the most effective is that one product works better on cat fleas and one works better on dog fleas. Both of these fleas can live on the same host. (Regardless of if it is a dog or a cat!)

Second, wash all of the pet bedding. Also, vacuum, vacuum, vacuum!!! Every day, several times a day and throw out the bag or dump the canister after each use! If you are using a bagless, stick a flea collar in the catch container. (This will help if and fleas are caught in the filter and you don't notice.) NEVER STEAM CLEAN YOUR RUGS DURING THIS TIME!!!! You will only hatch more eggs and make your problem so much worse!

After your first vacuuming, treat all of the carpeting, furniture, or any other fabric areas that the pet comes in contact with. The product that I recommend would be Ultracide. (You must follow the instructions on the label carefully!) Not only does it have an adultacide, but it also has a sterilization agent.

You must also treat the outside. If you don't you will be constantly re-infesting your home. The product that I use is called Demon WP. (Also follow label instructions carefully! More is NOT better!!!) Treat the entire yard, paying special attention to areas where the dog likes to lay, play, or potty.

This should help! Good luck!

Answer 2

The best thing to do is get some frontline or advantix from your vet or pet store to use as a preventative. Don't apply it two to three days before or after a bath. This way when the fleas in your house get on your dog they will die and this will eventually eliminate the problem. There is a product you can get for your house called flea busters that is a powder but not many vets carry it, it may have to be ordered.

Answer 3

First you vacuum and throw away the bag. Wash any blankets or bedding if you can. Then, I would suggest you go to a pet store and buy some stuff that you either spray or sprinkle on the carpet that will kill flees. You should vacuum every day for several days (I think 10). I would also suggest that you then use some type of flea control on your dog such as Frontline. My puppy came with fleas when I bought her and when I did all that I just mentioned, the fleas have gone and not returned. Good luck!

Answer 4

My vets office told me a product that is suppose to work well, and is a bit less costly, it is Raid for fleas.
They weren't sure if it was safe around animals though (hmmph), so maybe someone else may know that.

But an obvious other idea that is costly and has a higher probabilty of working right, is hiring an exterminator. Fleas are really tough to get rid of, and by the time any over the counter product works, you would have paid as much for that as a exterminatory would have cost to do it right the first time.
In fact, after the dog's flea dip, I would have waited to return him to the house until after you took care of the issue there, there is a good chance he will just become infested again with fleas in time.
Hope this helps.

P.s
most good exterminator's will return to your house in a month for free to re-do it if it doesnt work. we had this done and had no issues after. then again it was summer time and we had no pets at that time, they just came in from outdoors

Answer 5

You have to treat your house as well. All surfaces and furniture and bedding must be treated as flea eggs can live in your house for months just waiting to start their cycle all over again. Buy the least toxic surface spray possible through your Vet, not a pet store. Cheaper often means more toxic. Plus, keep people and pets out of the treated area for at least 3 hours. I find the best way to keep your dog flea free is through drops or pills from your VET. (Again, not pet store quality!) They are very safe, and far more effective than a flea dip. Many dips are quite harsh for the skin and some are quite toxic. Plus they only work for a couple of days. I'm a dog groomer and don't believe in dips. It's a waste of money.

Answer 6

you definitely need to treat your home. When your dog has fleas you have fleas. You need to invest in some flea spray and flea preventive for your dog like frontline which is an amazing product. I recommend vaccumming the area at least every other day and following the directions on the spray bottle. Wash any bedding he has been sleeping on with hot water & soap. And for the next 6 months treat him monthly with Frontline. frontline is amazing because it will actually help treat the house as well as the treatment stays active even on hair that is shed off your dog. I would also recommend speaking to your vet further for which home spray to use as they will always have the better products. After 6 months you can cut back on the Frontline to treating your dog with it every 3 months for life, this will prevent any further infestation and kill anything & everything in your home.

Answer 7

There are alot of good recommations already, so I will just add that you really have to understand the life cycle of the flea to understand that you will have to treat you dog with flea prevention every month and you will also have to treat your house for as long as 6 months. House treatment will not kill flea larvea. Eventually, the larvea will grow into adult fleas and that is when you need to treat again. It may take a few house treatments over several months to finally get rid of the probem.

Answer 8

Fleas are a major pest. There are various species of fleas - cat fleas, dog fleas, rat fleas and rabbit fleas.
You can get rid of them by the safest and cheapest methods like boric acid.
More details are available at http://pests.in/fleas.html

Answer 9

My vet has information posted on their website for immediate problems (recommendation of what to do):

Indoors:

Wash or replace animal bedding. Mop wood and tile floors. Vacuum carpeting, under furniture (including cushions), along baseboards and in closets. Don't forget the car, basement, attic and garage if a pet gets in those areas at all. After vacuuming, the eggs, larvae and pupae are in the vacuum bag, so dispose of it outdoors in air-tight plastic bags.

As an alternative to a professional exterminator, use a premise spray with either fenoxycarb or methoprene and an adulticide (we suggest Siphotrol® House Spray). Use on carpets and rugs, bedding, under furniture and furniture cushions, corners, cracks, crevices, closets, car, basement, garage, etc.. During bad weather, it may be appropriate to only use premise spray in a few rooms at a time, then air them out briefly. Follow label instructions. Animals and people should not contact treated areas until dry. Food and fish tanks should be covered, and birds should be out of the house until odor is not detectable.

Outdoors:

Depends on season and confinement situation. Mowing, raking and bagging debris prior to treatment may help. Use a lawn product, preferably containing chlorpyrifos. Treat especially those areas where flea larvae are likely to be: under steps, structures, bushes or ground cover, where they will be protected.

Follow up:

Animals:
Frontline®, Advantix®,or Advantage® used monthly.

Indoors:
Vacuum, especially under furniture, closets, and dark areas every 2-3 days for 2 weeks, however do not wash carpets or floors for 2 weeks after treatment. Retreat as needed.

Outdoors:
Repeat treatment in 2 weeks, then as needed.
http://andoveranimal.com/flea.html

Answer 10

you need to treat both indoors and outdoors. fleas are everywhere your dog has been. even floors without carpet. you'll probably need a chemical pest remover for inside, for outdoors you can spread a powdered lime over the yard. it changes the ph level in the soil and pests don't seem to tolerate it. i also use cedar chips inside my dogs bed and it helps with fleas and odors