Fleas Again!!!!

We use K9 Advantage. We recently had ticks for the first time (on the dogs and my husband). We got granules to sprinkle outside and an organic kid safe bug killer for indoor/outdoor use. I haven't seen any ticks since. So you may want to try that. You definitely need to treat outside too though. That's where they are coming from one way or another. Hang in there. I know its frustrating!

Updated

We use K9 Advantage. We recently had ticks for the first time (on the dogs and my husband). We got granules to sprinkle outside and an organic kid safe bug killer for indoor/outdoor use. I haven't seen any ticks since. So you may want to try that. You definitely need to treat outside too though. That's where they are coming from one way or another. Hang in there. I know its frustrating!

Here's some ideas we have used in the past that have worked. 1) You can use Avon Skin So Soft to bathe them. Fleas don't like the smell. 2) I've heard Dawn dishsoap (regular blue kind) works to repel them also. 3) Lastly - what worked the best is you have to do the house, yard and dogs all at the same time. For example - bomb the house, vaccum with the flea collar in the bag. After the house is bombed, bring the dogs in, bathe them with flea shampoo and treat them with the flea meds, and while they are in the house, spray the yard. Good luck - I know this is a pain to deal with !

I am a veterinarian and my advice has always been as follows:

1. Frontline, Advantage (fleas only), Advantix (fleas and ticks), Revolution (fleas and heartworm). No over-the-counter products. I don't just say that because I am a vet, I've seen horrible reactions to products that well-intentioned owners purchased at Walmart, etc. Apply every month for several months in a row (year-round if live down south). Make sure you are applying it correctly - it needs direct contact on the skin, it cannot pool up on the fur. Do not bathe the pets 48 hours before or after applying - I've seen failure stem from owners bathing the pets, then applying right away. If you happen to have cats, make sure they are getting treated as well - all dogs and cats in the home need to be treated, not just the outdoor ones. Just don't put a product intended for dogs on a cat - it can be toxic (especially Advantix - it is a dog-only product).

2. Call a professional exterminator. If you are having that much of a problem, I am not a fan of DIY flea bombs and sprays. They should guarantee their work and re-treat if necessary at no additional cost. Have them treat inside as well as outside.

3. If there is any pet bedding, blankets, etc that you can toss, do it.

4. Vacuum with a flea collar in the vacuum bag, then toss the bag (and the only place flea collars belong is in a vacuum bag, not on a pet!)

5.. Please do not get rid of your dogs because you are frustrated with a flea problem - that's not fair to them. You've had them all their lives (I assume) and they don't know any other home than yours. They love you unconditionally and deserve to get taken care of to the best of your ability. Not trying to sound harsh here, but too many people get rid of their pets (give them up or have them euthanized) for the wrong reasons and it's something that I have to face on an almost daily basis.

You could try to bath your dogs in Dawn dish detergent, it will get rid of fleas! Also buy the Avon skin so soft spray on oil and spray it on your dogs, it may make their hair slightly greasy, but just kind go with it and see how that works. Both of your dogs are short haired and relatively small so try that out. Fleas are terrible! I have had that problem myself and it's no fun!

You need to treat the outside, inside, and the dogs at the same time.
And repeat the process.... so that you break the cycle of the eggs & fleas... and hatching eggs.

A while ago, we used a powder that you sprinkle around the house, then vacuum up. It worked. But I cannot remember the name... but it was from our Vet. LONG time ago.

On carpets or hard flooring... the flea eggs can occur.... anywhere.

all the best,
Susan

Hav e you asked your vet why Frontline does not work? Never heard of
anyone using it every month getting fleas.

Fleas leave eggs. so even if you have cleaned and bombed the house one day, you will need to repeat the bombs again on the 2nd or third day. READ all of the instructions on the box.

One your dogs have been treated they will be fine..It is the yard that will need to be treated.

Consider spraying your yard. I do special events and there are way too many mosquitoes, flies and fleas to hold an outdoor event with out the grounds or yard being treated first.

I use a product by "Cutter." It is sold at Home depot, Lowes etc.. garden centers. It is in a bottle you attach to a water hose the bottle is gray. Read ALL of the instructions. It will keep the bugs away for months.

Flea bombs never worked for me. Another alternative is to go buy a box (or two, if you have a large house) of 20 Mule Team Borax (the cheap laundry-booster you can find at the Supermarket), sprinkle it into all carpets/upholstery, let it sit a bit, and then vacuum it up very thoroughly. Throw out vacuum bags, vacuum again. This not only kills all fleas, it also prevents the hatching of new ones. And enough of the stuff stays in your carpet that you don't need to do it again for a loong time. I know it sounds hoakey, but it's very cheap and works (I've got 2 dogs and 2 cats).

You can google it, e.g. http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/20_Mule_Team_Borax_p/d1002.htm

In addition, keep doing the Frontline until the fleas are gone for good. Good luck!

We use the brand Advantage and have never had a problem with it

Victoria is right about the second bombing. O. for the adults then later for the eggs that hatch after the first bombing.

Also do not let your dog in after the bombing until he has been treated.

And you could do the yard as well.

Just time everything out so that everyone (with skin and fur) ends up in the car, treated, with the yard cleared and then set off the bombs and get lost for a few hours. It's a real pain but you've got to make sure it's thorough or it's all a waste of time.
In my previous life I dated a guy with a dog, too and we had to do both yards, both dogs and both apartments! But it worked. Good luck!

I made the mistake once by applying the flea medication to my pets when they were still inside...lol. It worked, but the fleas started to jump on us and stay away from the pets.

Make sure they are outside when you do it and also use flea powder stuff on the carpets. I can't remember the name of the stuff but you can get it at Wal-mart or the Dollar General.

Oh...and use tin pie pans filled with warm soapy water. You put them near light sources and the fleas jump in there by morning.

Update: Sorry. I read through all the posts and wasn't going to add this initially but, Avon SSS does work great. I have a lot of clients who buy it from me. It's true that fleas do not like the smell (nor do I..lol) but it does work.

http://www.youravon.com/nancybagley

Fleas love sandy soil. I see you are not far from me in NJ and I know we have really sandy soil here. Every spring and fall my hubby treats the lawn with flea fix. You also need to get under furniture even if you are fogging because if it is low to the ground the fogger doesn't effectively get under it. We have dogs and cats in our house but only the dog goes outside. She has gotten bit a few times recently because it is so hot and dry right now. I think the fleas are hatching faster but the house is still flea free so I assume the stuff we use inside is working. We get our products at fleasmart.com just be aware they take FOREVER with shipping but we've tried every commercial product that is safe for animals and their's work the best. Good luck!

I'm a licensed vet tech - flea treatments have come a long way and i've never seen anyone have to bomb a house to get rid of fleas. The vet who posted below explained pretty much how we do it too, although i've never had anyone need to use an exterminator.
A few thoughts:
How many times have you applied the Frontline? Any of the Frontline products are great (as are any of the Advantage or Revolution lines... whereas flea collars or any petstore products rarely work and can be dangerous!) Did your vet tell you it takes 3 months to get rid of fleas and their eggs? if you only do one treatement there are still eggs that will hatch & reinfest, but if you keep them on treatment for at least 3 total months, as those eggs hatch the fleas will feed and die before they can lay more eggs. It breaks the cycle and i've never come across a situation in my 9 years in this profession where that didn't do the trick.
However if you are vaccuming and leaving the bag in the house - even with flea collars in it - that could perpeutate the problem. If you are sucking up fleas and eggs, you need to empty the bag outside in a garbage can far from the house!
Hope that helped a bit. I hate to see people use those bombs and put chemicals in thier homes that their pets and families don't need to be exposed to! Good luck :)

We use Advantage, it kills off the fleas after the first 12 hours, it enters your animals blood stream and then when the flea bites them, they die. Also I am not sure if it is the same with dogs as with cats but you can't bathe them 24 hours before applying the meds because it strips the good oils from the coats and doesn't allow the medicine to absorb properly, you can bathe them 24 hours After applying the meds though. The Borax sprinkled on the carpet does work! It dries out the flea eggs so they don't hatch. I am so sorry, we are fighting fleas at the moment too, it is a terrible cycle to try and break. Lots of luck

M., my vet recommends advantage for dogs. It works like a charm. I have been using it for years. It proclaims to rid your entire property of fleas and as far as i can tell, they are right. I have two 12 yr. Old dogs and a cat. The cat can not use advantage, but has something else. It's not frontline - i had heard that didn't work very well, and i guess you are the proof. Good luck, i hate fleas too.

M.,
Go to the grocery store and pick up Boraxo, then sprinkle it on your furniture and floors. Leave it there over night or put it down during the day and go out. Also bath the dogs with a good flea and tick shampoo just before you put the Borax down. I use it every year and have not had a problem in quite a few years (knock on wood). I also leave it between the mattresses and box springs and leave it along the borders of my rooms, brushing it under the baseboard molding as well, and leave it under the cushions/deep in the crevices of your furniture. Not only does it help with the fleas and ticks, it helps with ants. One other thing, for the ants, every year I pour the Boraxo around my foundation and repeat this as necessary. Now my daughter started me using used coffee grounds on the lawn and garden for the ants and let me tell you that works wonderful. Hope this all helps.
T.

Our vet gave us Capstar to use along with frontline. And told us to spray every 3 days to get rid if fleas in couch and carpet. It worked.

Ok this is one of the worst years for fleas and ticks in a long while. You will probably want to bomb the house and keep the critters out of it for a decent amount of time. Carpets and upholstery should be scrubbed, making sure to move furniture and get into nooks and crannies. I would bath the critters, making sure you get around the eyes and in the ears, anywhere fleas can hide. When you vacuum, empty that container outside, away from the house. If you use bags, you'll want a new bag every time for a few days. If the dogs are in bedrooms, you'll want to strip beds, vacuum mattresses and clean all extra blankets, etc. It may see like a lot of work right now, but the fleas are able to hide everywhere. Good luck!

I have been in your same situation and the only thing that ever works for my animlas is Advantage. It treats fleas only, not ticks and mosquitos, like I think the Frontline does so if you only have issues with fleas, then Advantage will do the job.

We've never had to do anything to our house, once we put the Advantage on the dogs and cats, the fleas would die off within 24 hours. I promise you, it works great, many family members and friends of mine have also used it for years on their pets and that's all they ever have to do. I know it says that if you don't treat the yard or house, then it won't work but I've never found that to be true. We've had some pretty bad infestations from time to time (during SUmmer months) and Advantage always worked wonders.

Take care!

I find Advantage works great on my dog. Also make sure it is flees and not bed bugs. They bite and leave little welts too. If it is bed bugs you may have to hire a specialist in getting rid of them.