The flea bombs say to turn off gas furnaces before using the bomb or it could explode...I have one furnace in the attic and another in the garage. They are fairly new and are the kind with an automatic pilot light (instructions say never to "manually attempt" to light them myself) but is there a way to turn them off for the purpose of setting off the flea bombs? I will also need to turn them back on.
****I have people coming on the 4th to professionally get rid of fleas but with a baby kitten, the vet says I must do something between now and next week.
2007-12-28 12:10:46 · 6 answers · asked by Michele M 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You answers so far have been helpful - but I'm still not clear. Will turning down the thermostat all the way prevent the fire hazard talked about on the flea bomb package? Is it enough? I am very afraid but no other options until the professionals can get here - the kitten is too small to deal with fleas.
2007-12-28 12:47:22 · update #1
Just turn the thermostat to the off position: on furnaces:
Don't forget hot water heater. If it has a gas pilot you will have to turn it off by shutting the gas off then relight.
Also don't forget things like refrigerators when they come on they can spark as well. You will need to turn it off as well just to be on the safe side.
Make sure all lights or off as well. Turning lights off and on causing arcing at the switch.
2007-12-29 05:20:09 · answer #1 · answered by JUAN FRAN$$$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To eliminate fleas one must first CLEAN THE ENVIRONMENT INFESTED. Pick up piles of clothes, towels, old carpets. Move furniture and clean underneath. Use borax in all areas around the home, nursing area of the kitten and the home. Sprinkle it into the rug, carpets, and bedding. Borax (laundry soap in Wal-Mart) dries up fleas. Borax is safe, Borax the whole house, and furniture. Sprinkle under all furnishings. Coat all pet beds.
VACUUM, VACUUM, VACUUM. The vibrations from the vacuum stimulates the eggs and they hatch. 95% of the fleas vacuumed die in route to the bag. Fleas are a hard cycle to eliminate. Be careful around the kitten, I can't say as though I would treat him or the area. One could dispose of the old bedding and replace it with fresh, for a few days. The thing to remember is that you must treat every place in your house. If you don't then you are only waiting for the treated areas to become non-toxic enough for the untreated areas to reinfest the treated area.
Fleas can kill kittens, you need to get on the infestation immediately. As with any infestation, keep the environment clean. The exterminator will provide details. These programs are always on going, and going, and going. Although one will notice immediate results, the eggs that were laid in assessable areas of the house will hatch many times in the next 4 weeks. IT IS PARAMOUNT TO CONTINUE A WEEKLY PROGRAM OF BORAX.
I have many animals and generally don't have problems with fleas. It is however something that one must stay on top of to win. The beauty of being an exterminator is that you ( the customer) do all the work, I take all the credit and then you pay me. Most flea control is done best and cheapest by the homeowner themselves. Research an effective program online, follow the advice for weeks. You will be flea free.
As for the pilot, I have bombed my house many times with many pilots lit (in a single home usually there are 4 to 5 in a stove, 1 in a water heater, 1 in a furnace). Will I sign off that it was a smart thing to do?
2007-12-28 15:11:04 · answer #2 · answered by madmarl329 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No need to do anything on a furnace automatic pilot light, just make sure the thermostat is set on the "OFF" position so that the furnace will not go on during the "flea bomb". Automatic pilot lights have an electric igniters that only work when the furnace goes on.
Just make sure that all pilot lights for any other gas appliances are off, this is done by shutting the gas value to those appliances.
2007-12-28 12:24:47 · answer #3 · answered by mklwis 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Unless the pilot light is constantly on, just turn the thermostat down as low as it will go so the pilot won't light.
I really hate bombs. Dangerous for you and a fire hazard.
A little bit of advice not asked for: Get a box of borax (find it in the laundry area of the super market) and sprinkle the borax on carpet and cloth covered furniture. in cracks of wooden floors. Sweep the borax into the carpet, furniture. It will not only kill the fleas but will kill bacteria in your carpets and furniture that cause the bad smells. Remember, boric acid is a very good insecticide and is the main ingredient in carpet deodorizers. Safe for you and your pets.
Not sure what is best to put on the kitten until the fleas are killed by the borax. Usually takes one to two weeks to completely remove the fleas after treating. Unless you have pets going outside a lot. If you have other dogs and cats going in and out, you will NEVER be completely rid of fleas.
2007-12-28 12:34:52 · answer #4 · answered by Charley Horse 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Every gas appliance including furnaces and hot water heaters have some way of shutting off the gas. I would turn off the power to the furnace, either by the switch usually located on the furnace, or by the house breaker box (fuse box). Next, you should find the gas control knob on the furnace and turn it to the off position. If this is not an option, you can trace back the gas line to the nearest shut off valve. There may be a main shutoff valve where you can shut off the gas to everything.
2007-12-28 12:30:56 · answer #5 · answered by 80's kid 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Either buy the bug bombs that are non flammable or turn off the breaker to the furnace. No power no flame.
Your water heater you will need to turn off the gas valve manually.
2007-12-28 17:23:46 · answer #6 · answered by mike b 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋