I am looking for tips on ridding fleas from my home.?

Question

I gave my cat and dog sentenal for 4 years, There last pill was given Nov 1. They have been scratching for 2 months and the vet said they had allergies. On Sunday I discovered my dog has a tapeworm that you can only get from fleas. Two hundred dollars later they are both on deworming medicine and advantage to fight fleas. Although I don't see any fleas, and no one is being bit by the fleas accept the pets, I know my home is infested because both pets have them. What are some of the best methods for getting rid of fleas in my carpets and beds and sofas . Do I need to worry about solid surfaces and how do I know when the are gone? I don't want my pets infested again. What was the point in giving them the sentenal I wonder?

Answer 1

boric acid power,it has a low toxicity level,just sprinkle in out of the way areas[under beds,sofas,furniture etc]

Answer 2

Tapeworm is not only caught from fleas. If your cat or dog go outside, they could have caught them from eating any carrion like mice, or even just from sniffing around other animal's poo. However it's just as likely they caught them from fleas - it's worth noting that Sentinel only PREVENTS fleas - it contain and Insect Growth Regulator meaning fleas on your pet cannot reproduce and spread the infestation and therefore should die. I would say it's no guarantee you will remain flea free, so it's good that you're on Advantage now.

The anti-flea ingredient of Sentinel is the same as for the Program tablet, the use of which is gradually dying out, basically because people need complete treatments and preventatives such as Sentinel and Program only really have use as part of a flea control strategy, rather than on their own. So in other words, there may have been no point using Sentinel, at least as far as fleas are concerned - it is good againt heartworm. On the other hand who knows, you may have had a severe problem had you never used it!

As for your home - do make sure you get your flea spray from a vets, not a pet store. This is very important, because pet stores are not licensed to sell chemicals that can actually work against fleas. I recommend Indorex, Acclaim, Staykil or Skoosh. You should spray tiled/floorboarded surfaces, as flea can easily live in the cracks. Even sofas, curtains, and your car should be sprayed if your animals go in it. You will know the fleas are gone when your animals stop scratching - you can also check them for flea dirts (little black specks, comma shaped, which are the flea poos), the tell-tale signs flea are present.

Chalice

Answer 3

Wow, what a mess, I would be a little mad over the Sentinel not working, because now you have to worry about getting fleas out of your whole house! I would use a few flea and tick bombs! Make sure you put everything in the cabinets and don't leave tooth brushes out, well you already know what to put up! But, you and the animals can leave for several hours, until the bombs clear, and you can come back home and start cleaning! Buy some flea and tick carpet cleaner and do your carpets, sofas, bedding, etc.!! Start washing everything, like bedding and whatever else!! Wow, again, What A MESS!!!! Bless your heart, you did everything you were supposed to do, and you still have to go through all of this!!! At least I have learned not to use Sentinel!! Good Luck, I hope it is not too much work for you!!

Answer 4

First & foremost - vacuum often.
I vacuum my home daily.
If you think there are fleas in the house right now, put the dogs in another area & sprinkle the entire carpet with flea powder. Let it sit for at least 4 hours - then vacuum thoroughly.
Wash all of your pets' bedding in HOT water.
Wash the sheets on your beds in hot water too.
Vacuum the furniture as well.
Repeat the whole process with the flea powder in the carpet in a week. Keep vacuuming as often as you can.
By the way - I have 10 Collies. They live in the house & in our kennel (they take turns.)
I don't use any of that expensive stuff from the vet for fleas. It's a rip off cuz it's the SAME thing they sell at stores! I buy the Hartz kind at Walmart. I bathe my dogs weekly & put the flea drops on them once a month. They NEVER have fleas.
If you don't have time to bathe them that often - every 3 wks or so should be sufficient.
To the folks who mentioned the flea bombs - great idea. I forgot about those. I worked in a commercial kennel & grooming shop MANY years ago. We bombed the kennel & shop monthly.
Just make sure that the dogs are safely out of the area.

Answer 5

The safest and cheapest method of getting rid of fleas is to use a mixture of boric acid and salt. The powder should be sprayed on carpets, bedding and areas frequented by pets.

Answer 6

Treat your pets with advantage, advantix, or frontline once a month. These 3 seem to work much better than anything else. Lightly sprinkle boric acid on your carpets and sweep in. Boric acid is safer to use than bombs and doesn't make the mess.

Answer 7

Fleas are HORRIBLE!!! I hate them. I have had to deal with this problem so many times. I found some links on an all natural website. I will send you the links I have used these remedies myself and they totally work. The best part is they are safe for our furry friends. Good luck with the pests.
PEACE
GG

Answer 8

Try to bomb the house. That may be the only way to get rid of the fleas. I know it's the best way to kill them all fast.

Answer 9

Set up a few bowls with soapy water around the house, it catches them and they can't get out! If your house is really infested you'll see some in the bowl by the next day!

Answer 10

cruel to give a pet drugs for 4 straight years...

buy flea bombs and use according to package directions

for future reference PANACUR C - for worming

FRONTLINE PLUS - for fleas - during flea season


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