Calling All Dog Owners...... Flea And Tick Killer?

[dmccarty]

Recently, we noticed our two dogs do not have any fleas. A friend observed that our dogs drink from our swimming pool all of the time. Our pool uses chlorine.

Does anyone else have dogs who drink from your swimming pool regularly?

If so, any fleas?

Many years ago my parents bought a house with a pool. Unfortunately I was in my late teens and having free time to use the pool was in short supply.

Our dog though had lots of time on his hands, errr, paws and since this was in FLA he was hot. So he would go swimming. Several times a day. In fact the dog logged more time in the pool than people.

He was a small little dog and he taught himself to get out of the pool on the steps and the ladder. He would also drink the water.

We had loads of fleas in the house. The house had to be treated with chemicals to kill the fleas.

Later,
Dan

 

[Richard]

Another way to combat them might be to get some guinea birds? I understand they have a voracious appetite for little creepy crawlers.

I also understand they can be quite loud (serve as early warning to pending visitors?)

I talked to my wifes family about getting some guinea birds. Knowing some would die, some would fly away, some would probably be shot by hunters, I was going to get a flock of 100 and see what happened.

I got voted down.

 

[Ford850]

100 guineas? Wow, that would be as loud as those crazy horns at the World Cup. We once had no more than 12 and that was plenty loud.

 

[Richard]

We are in the middle of 250 acres so I figured they'd have some room to roam and lots of bugs to eat.

I didn't want to get too many more than 100 so that when I coralled them all up for their annual visit to the vet, it would not be as crowded in my car..... :confused2:

 

[DougM]

I didn't want to get too many more than 100 so that when I coralled them all up for their annual visit to the vet, it would not be as crowded in my car

U are joking I hope???/

 

[Travelover]

I didn't want to get too many more than 100 so that when I coralled them all up for their annual visit to the vet, it would not be as crowded in my car

U are joking I hope???/

Of course. They drive themselves.

 

[ydelta]

Something that may be helpful.....

I use Borax, (the 20 Mule Team type). I sprinkle it on my furniture and carpets, let it set a bit and vacuum it. The borax kills the flea eggs and larvae. Great for in the house and VERY inexpensive. When I moved in to this place 20 yrs ago the fleas were thick, step out of the truck and immediately at least 5 would be on my ankles. I used the borax and have never had a flea problem since. I have even sprinkled it directly on my dog and cat, no fleas! I can not recommend anyone using it on critters, but it worked on mine with no problems. :thumbsup:

As far as ticks... we have them around here, but my critters have never had them. Do not know if it is the borax or what. My neighbors get the ticks though.

Good luck....

 

[dmccarty]

Borax works in the carpet. I had a flea problem in FLA when I adopted a stray cat. I raked the Borax into the carpet and the fleas died.

Another time visitors stayed for a couple of days with a dog. Different place and pre cat. Shortly after the people and dog left I went on vacations for a week or so. Came back and the place was full of fleas.

There was a chemical bomb that I set up that killed fleas and eggs for something like 30 days. There were other sprays that were not as good. You really had to read the label. The spray I used worked pretty well. Borax is better though since you don't have to leave the house to apply it.

My grandmother used to put out bait pills for roaches. Which were nothing more than Borax.

Later,
Dan

 

[DennisArrow]

We have tried advatage etc, for a couple of years now with lousy luck on the ticks. Our border collies run free into the adjoining national forest for hours at a time daily. Yes, they are chasing turkey and deer; but I still get plenty on my game cam.......Anyway, they come home LOADED with seed ticks..........

I came across an old bag of Sevin powder and the light bulb went off. Seems I remember using it in the past on dogs and lo and behold read the bag and it describes how to use it......Kinda funny as it has you suit up in your haz-mat gear to put on the dog; but to use it anyway........OK tree huggers, yes, it probably causes all kinds of cancers and reproductive problems on my neutered dogs; but when they come into the house I really don't like finding ticks on me so the trade off is worth it..........

Anyway, I treated them pretty heavy maybe a week ago and NO TICKS........Works for me........Dennis

 

[ydelta]

We have tried advatage etc, for a couple of years now with lousy luck on the ticks. Our border collies run free into the adjoining national forest for hours at a time daily. Yes, they are chasing turkey and deer; but I still get plenty on my game cam.......Anyway, they come home LOADED with seed ticks..........

I came across an old bag of Sevin powder and the light bulb went off. Seems I remember using it in the past on dogs and lo and behold read the bag and it describes how to use it......Kinda funny as it has you suit up in your haz-mat gear to put on the dog; but to use it anyway........OK tree huggers, yes, it probably causes all kinds of cancers and reproductive problems on my neutered dogs; but when they come into the house I really don't like finding ticks on me so the trade off is worth it..........

Anyway, I treated them pretty heavy maybe a week ago and NO TICKS........Works for me........Dennis

My only thot there is to be careful breathing that stuff yourself. Or getting it in your eyes, face or mouth while huggin the puppies!