Does anything eat fleas?

Question

My dogs are constantly getting fleas because they like to catch the wild rabbits in the garden, so is there anything I could introduce to the garden that would eat the fleas on the rabbits so my dogs won't get so many?

Answer 1

Lots of species will eat fleas, from woodpecker to orang-outang, but are impractical. You really need an insecticide to kill the fleas off before the dogs can get at them. Check if the insecticide is safe for dogs, or quarantine your dogs in the house until the insecticide has worn off. Keep the dogs from harm!

Answer 2

There are many insects/spiders that will eat fleas. The only problem is that fleas like to stick to fluffy mammals. Your best bet to get rid of them would be to use a poison (that is meant to kill fleas of a dog), or going natural would be to use a natural repellent - lots of effort. I would prefer using a poison since it lasts also for quite a while (+/- 3 months).
Another solution would be to get an exterminator. That would solve your problem most definitely

Answer 3

"Controlling Fleas : Biological and Mechanical Controls"

"Fire ants and other predatory insects eat flea larvae but they do not control fleas completely. Several kinds of predatory nematodes (a type of microscopic worm) are sold for outdoor flea control, but their effectiveness has not been well tested. Studies suggest that nematodes work best in sandy soils. Irrigate with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water before and after application. This prolongs nematode survival and helps them move through the soil in search of flea larvae."

"Several kinds of flea traps are available from pest control companies and pet stores. The most effective designs use a special green light that blinks occasionally to simulate the shadow of a passing host. Most attract fleas to a sticky card, where they are trapped. Place traps near pet beds and loafing areas for best control. By themselves, traps are unlikely to solve most flea problems; however, they can be a useful part of an integrated flea control program for your home."

"Controlling Fleas : Biological and Mechanical Controls", Texas Agricultural Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System : http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/l-1738.html

"Flea Control with Parasitic Nematodes Not a Sure Thing", Robert A. Dunn, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida - IFAS : http://biocontrol.ifas.ufl.edu/ctgysrch/flea_control_by_nematodes.htm

"Flea Traps"

"Flea traps provide a nonchemical option to reduce the number of fleas present in the home. Flea traps use an incandescent light bulb to attract the fleas which then become caught on sticky paper. Flea traps are available commercially from Enforcer Products (www.enforcer.com), Woodstream (www.victorpest.com), and Springstar LLC (www.springstar.net) and usually cost less than $15."

"A published study showed that flea traps are effective at capturing about 10 percent of the adult fleas. Studies sponsored by a trap manufacturer found much higher trapping rates, up to 95 percent. Even if trapping rates are variable, traps are worth trying in your home, especially when coupled with other nonchemical methods."

"Managing Fleas without Poisons", Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides : http://www.pesticide.org/fleas.html

Answer 4

If your dogs get fleas....get the Advantage system from Petmeds. It is a little expensive, ($44.00 for four months) but within three months you house and dogs will be flea free. However, what's too expensive for our best friends? It's easy to apply too. I apply it to my dog once a month, my cat once a month too. The cat application goes in between her shoulder blades since she cannot lick there (only place on a cat they cannot reach)

My dog used to go crazy even with one flea and ended up chewing herself up over it. Now she is much more comfortable and we never have them in the house. If a flea jumps on the dog outside it will die quickly and when the eggs hatch, the young die quickly.

I highly recommend it. There's another product like it called Frontline..I have not tried it..

Answer 5

Little fleas have lesser fleas upon their backs to bite'em,
And lesser fleas have smaller fleas and so ad infinitum...Alexander Pope. There are indeed I believe mites which live on them. I would consider using a rabbit proof fence but dogs will be dogs...

Answer 6

Some spiders might eat fleas, but I wouldn't want to introduce to many into the garden, they just may like your home more!

Answer 7

You'll just have to take your pet to the vet. I've known red-billed oxpeckers that eat fleas on giraffes' backs but you couldn't introduce them to your garden.

Answer 8

Many things eat fleas. If you are looking to get rid of them, the best thing I would recomend is that you get a venus fly trap, they attract fleas and then eat them. good luck!

Answer 9

The only thing I know that eats fleas inside out is tapeworm larvae.

Answer 10

Monkeys