View Full Version : Flea infestations in South Florida!
jeremy646
Jun 22, 2009, 03:56 AM
I live in South Florida and my dogs and cat have fleas. I've tried bombing the house,special shampoo's, the groomers,frontline and advantage. Still nothing seems to work. What else can I do?
Catsmine
Jun 22, 2009, 04:24 AM
If you have carpets, bombs won't be enough. The flea larva spins a cocoon like a butterfly or moth to protect the pupa stage. Inside those cocoons the bombs can't reach
So you have to get the adult fleas to "hatch" out of them.
The three main triggers for adult fleas to hatch out are temperature, humidity, and pressure/vibration from a host animal walking by. Temperature and humidity ranges for fleas run almost parallel to humans so those are out. Vibrations in carpeting or rugs can be set up with the beater brush on a vacuum cleaner. There are dust products you can sprinkle on the carpets that will kill the fleas inside the vacuum. Vacuuming also removes much of the organic dirt that flea larvae feed on.
Fleas infesting hardwood or tile floors are a little more labor-intensive. The flea dusts and a dust mop work there as well then you still have to vacuum up the dust.
For the yard there are several hose-end spray products that work equally well.
To sum up with frequency:
Continuous control measures on the animals (monthly frontline/advantage or weekly baths)
Daily vacuuming rugs and carpets
Weekly or bi-weekly yard treatments.
Catsmine
Jun 22, 2009, 08:24 AM
Addendum:
The life cycle of the flea normally runs 22-48 days, so keep it up for 2 months and you should be under control.