View Full Version : Any bug experts?
blownz281
02-07-2012, 07:15 PM
Not a plant issue but a back yard one. Moved into a rental home,family played in the yard. Bug bites all over,so i mess with sand in yard.FLEAS..... Neighbors have 2 dogs an a huge wood pile. We swear thats where they must be coming from. Pest guy sprayed yard,spread pellets. Will issue ever be fixed?
If i order nemotodes an spread them in are yard an theres will that work?
Richard
02-07-2012, 07:43 PM
Borax powder.
blownz281
02-07-2012, 07:50 PM
will it kill eggs? they will never come back?
momoese
02-07-2012, 07:58 PM
Archer brand IGR, food grade Diatomaceous Earth, or Nematodes.
blownz281
02-07-2012, 08:02 PM
if need be could the chems be used in the house?
momoese
02-07-2012, 08:12 PM
if need be could the chems be used in the house?
Do you have carpet or tile/hardwood?
blownz281
02-07-2012, 08:24 PM
hardwood with spaces. Are these better then pest guy's stuff? kill eggs too?
Richard
02-07-2012, 08:30 PM
Borax powder is considered organic and has none of the toxicity issues associated with diatomaceous earth (banned as a pesticide in California). Use it outdoors and indoors. A common treatment for fleas in carpets is to dust with borax powder and use a push broom to work it in, then vacuum the next day. For spot treatment apply along edges. For ants indoors, squirt some in each corner of kitchen cabinets and clothing/textile drawers and closets; plus take the covers off light switches, electric outlets, etc. and squirt some in the wall. I do it yearly.
momoese
02-07-2012, 09:49 PM
Like Richard said Borax will kill the pests, but not the eggs.
What toxicity issues other than breathing it does DE have? It's what Linder Bison feeds their animals for parasite control. It's only downside that I'm aware of is breathing the dust in large quantities. Borax can't be healthy to breath large amounts either right?
I use DE under appliances that I can't or don't want to move. Also in the garden.
I've tried nematodes but didn't have any luck. could have been a bad batch.
blownz281
02-07-2012, 09:59 PM
thanks for the help guys.
Nicolas Naranja
02-07-2012, 10:54 PM
Cover yard in black plastic for 2 weeks in the middle of summer and you will kill everything. Otherwise, the pesticide granules do a very good job in your yard.
Chemically, you are looking for something like lambda or gamma cyhalothrin or possibly bifenthrin. If you weren't renting the home I would suggest something long term like tweeking the soil environment to discourage fleas.
I test pesticides for the University of Florida.
Richard
02-07-2012, 11:54 PM
Like Richard said Borax will kill the pests, but not the eggs.
Any fleas that hatch are toast.
What toxicity issues other than breathing it does DE have? It's what Linder Bison feeds their animals for parasite control.
They are using food grade DE which is approved in California as a nutritional supplement for ruminant livestock -- to control parasites and provide a source of silica.
It is illegal in California to sell DE either labeled for pesticide use or for the claimed purpose of pesticide use.
Borax powder is sold both as soap with no label for pesticide use, and as a pesticide with a label displaying the EPA registration number.
momoese
02-08-2012, 01:06 AM
What toxicity issues other than breathing it does DE have? It's only downside that I'm aware of is breathing the dust in large quantities. Borax can't be healthy to breath large amounts either right?
And this part?
Richard
02-08-2012, 02:35 AM
And this part?
The severity of toxicity in pesticides is categorized by the three signal words (http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/dept/factshts/read2.pdf) "Caution", "Warning", and "Danger".
Borax does not have the dust Danger that is associated with DE.
fmu65
02-08-2012, 08:16 AM
Interesting that food grade DE is sold packaged with an OMRI label as insect dust here in Chicago. That's what I have always used and recommended for ants and fleas and such.
blownz281
02-08-2012, 10:14 AM
This is great info guys!!!!!!!!! We also read that dumping salt all around the base boards and cracks of the floor. Guy is coming back out to spray the yard tomorrow. We didn't see anything else but its free,so we told him we want it again. I just hope I can caught him before he leaves. I will be getting off work when he is suppose to be there. I just hope we don't have to deal with this again!! Stray cat we chase out of the yard once a while and the neighbors dogs could be a issue..
momoese
02-08-2012, 11:10 AM
Unless the neighbors deal with the issue on their side you will no doubt see fleas again if you have stray cat dropping eggs in your yard. I'd have a chat with them and see if anything can be done.
From what I can find on the internet Borax is more "toxic" than DE. You can not eat borax. Labeling is now required according to this article.
Toxicity
Borax, sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is not acutely toxic.[19] Its LD50 (median lethal dose) score is tested at 2.66 g/kg in rats:[20] a significant dose of the chemical is needed to cause severe symptoms or death. The lethal dose is not necessarily the same for humans.
Sufficient exposure to borax dust can cause respiratory and skin irritation. Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal distress including nausea, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Effects on the vascular system and brain include headaches and lethargy, but are less frequent. "In severe poisonings, a beefy red skin rash affecting palms, soles, buttocks and scrotum has been described. With severe poisoning, erythematous and exfoliative rash, unconsciousness, respiratory depression, and renal failure." [21]
A reassessment of boric acid/borax by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs found potential developmental toxicity (especially effects on the testes).[22] Boric acid solutions used as an eye wash or on abraded skin are known to be particularly toxic to infants, especially after repeated use, because of the slow elimination rate.[23]
Borax was added to the Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) candidate list on 16 December 2010. The SVHC candidlate list is part of the EU Regulations on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals 2006 (REACH), and the addition was based on the revised classification of Borax as toxic for reproduction category 1B under the CLP Regulations. Substances and mixtures imported into the EU which contain Borax are now required to be labelled with the warnings "May damage fertility" and "May damage the unborn child".[24]
A quick search yields lots of safety warnings about Borax.
Enviroblog: Borax: Not the green alternative it's cracked up to be Archives (http://www.enviroblog.org/2011/02/borax-not-the-green-alternative-its-cracked-up-to-be.html)
I have found this page to be very informative about DE
Diatomaceous Earth - Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Health Benefits (http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/defaq.html)
And please to anyone reading this please note that I am talking about Food Grade DE, not the pool filter stuff you'll find at big box stores.
venturabananas
02-08-2012, 12:01 PM
Unless the neighbors deal with the issue on their side you will no doubt see fleas again if you have stray cat dropping eggs in your yard. I'd have a chat with them and see if anything can be done.
From what I can find on the internet Borax is more "toxic" than DE. You can not eat borax. Labeling is now required according to this article.
A quick search yields lots of safety warnings about Borax.
Enviroblog: Borax: Not the green alternative it's cracked up to be Archives (http://www.enviroblog.org/2011/02/borax-not-the-green-alternative-its-cracked-up-to-be.html)
I have found this page to be very informative about DE
Diatomaceous Earth - Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Health Benefits (http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/defaq.html)
And please to anyone reading this please note that I am talking about Food Grade DE, not the pool filter stuff you'll find at big box stores.
I'm not a toxicologist, but from my brief scan of Wikipedia (despite claims of some pseudo-experts, actually a very good source of information in most cases), neither borax nor DE are very toxic. I wouldn't be worried about using either in my yard or house (and I have). I would be careful about breathing fine particles of both. Mitchel, don't trust everything you read on the internet (including this :ha:): according to Wikipedia, the efficacy of DE in animal food to combat parasites is questionable, based on scientific studies. If you have pets, be careful about using either in a place where they can breath or eat them. For your plants, be careful about using Borax around them or you'll end up with Boron toxicity from elevated levels of it. In short, there's almost always trade offs: nematodes -- no toxicity but could attack beneficial insects; borax -- boron toxicity; diatomaceous earth -- no chemical toxicity, but potential lung damage to you and your pets.
venturabananas
02-08-2012, 12:03 PM
diatomaceous earth (banned as a pesticide in California).
Interesting. It is still for sale in the reputable nurseries I go to in California.
sunfish
02-08-2012, 12:17 PM
Dogs: Diatomaceous earth, Diatomaceous Earth (http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dogs-701/2010/7/Diatomaceous-earth.htm)
Richard
02-08-2012, 12:28 PM
Labeling requirements vary from state to state. California has the strictest requirements in the nation. You'll find that a knowledgeable California retail store owner will be completely mum on the use of food-grade DE as a pesticide -- or any other product that is not specifically labeled for pesticide use. The first-time fine is $50,000 and repeated offenses also include jail time.
In California, using a substance as a pesticide that is not labeled for that purpose will get you a warning from the CDPR for most first violations and then fines and possible jail time for any recurring violations. For consumers, the CDPR is mostly concerned with curbing historically poor practices such as drenching the ground with motor oil to control weeds.
California rates the severity of DE dust 2 orders of magnitude higher than Borax dust. Other states might have different guidelines. The physical properties of DE are very different from Borax salt. Of course a mask should be worn when handling any salt in bulk quantities -- and you'll find it says so right on the label.
Mitchel, I'm not making any recommendations for or against the use of DE. Instead I'm following the requirements of the CDPR licenses I carry in my wallet.
venturabananas
02-08-2012, 12:37 PM
Labeling requirements vary from state to state. California has the strictest requirements in the nation. You'll find that a knowledgeable California retail store owner will be completely mum on the use of food-grade DE as a pesticide -- or any other product that is not specifically labeled for pesticide use. The first-time fine is $50,000 and repeated offenses also include jail time.
In California, using a substance as a pesticide that is not labeled for that purpose will get you a warning from the CDPR for most first violations and then fines and possible jail time for any recurring violations. For consumers, the CDPR is mostly concerned with curbing historically poor practices such as drenching the ground with motor oil to control weeds.
So they can carry DE and sell it, provided they don't sell it for use as a pesticide? Is that it?
Yes, CA has some "interesting" laws. I study fish. One effective (and lethal) way to collect them is with rotenone, a root derivative that is toxic to fishes and some other animals. Its original use by humans was as an ichthyocide, but then the plant guys starting using it as a pesticide. Now, if I want to use it to collect fish, I'd have to take a pesticide application course -- even though I'd be using it underwater to kill fish!
momoese
02-08-2012, 01:02 PM
Labeling requirements vary from state to state. California has the strictest requirements in the nation. You'll find that a knowledgeable California retail store owner will be completely mum on the use of food-grade DE as a pesticide -- or any other product that is not specifically labeled for pesticide use. The first-time fine is $50,000 and repeated offenses also include jail time.
In California, using a substance as a pesticide that is not labeled for that purpose will get you a warning from the CDPR for most first violations and then fines and possible jail time for any recurring violations. For consumers, the CDPR is mostly concerned with curbing historically poor practices such as drenching the ground with motor oil to control weeds.
California rates the severity of DE dust 2 orders of magnitude higher than Borax dust. Other states might have different guidelines. The physical properties of DE are very different from Borax salt. Of course a mask should be worn when handling any salt in bulk quantities -- and you'll find it says so right on the label.
Mitchel, I'm not making any recommendations for or against the use of DE. Instead I'm following the requirements of the CDPR licenses I carry in my wallet.
We are just talking about home pest control here, and we both know CA has some wonky ideas about what's "safe" for us citizens. ;)
momoese
02-08-2012, 01:05 PM
I'm not a toxicologist, but from my brief scan of Wikipedia (despite claims of some pseudo-experts, actually a very good source of information in most cases), neither borax nor DE are very toxic. I wouldn't be worried about using either in my yard or house (and I have). I would be careful about breathing fine particles of both. Mitchel, don't trust everything you read on the internet (including this :ha:): according to Wikipedia, the efficacy of DE in animal food to combat parasites is questionable, based on scientific studies. If you have pets, be careful about using either in a place where they can breath or eat them. For your plants, be careful about using Borax around them or you'll end up with Boron toxicity from elevated levels of it. In short, there's almost always trade offs: nematodes -- no toxicity but could attack beneficial insects; borax -- boron toxicity; diatomaceous earth -- no chemical toxicity, but potential lung damage to you and your pets.
I've never heard a bad thing about it, so definitely take that one with a grain of Borax :ha:
venturabananas
02-08-2012, 01:20 PM
I've never heard a bad thing about it, so definitely take that one with a grain of Borax :ha:
Good one! :ha:
Richard
02-08-2012, 02:05 PM
An excellent source for information on pesticides from a sometimes over-zealous source is: PAN Pesticide Database (http://www.pesticideinfo.org)
So they can carry DE and sell it, provided they don't sell it for use as a pesticide? Is that it?
Some of them have inventory they acquired prior to the ban that started a few years ago. Others are stocking it from out-of-state providers. I know of two factories here in CA that produce pool and food-grade DE, but neither to California-based retailers or distributors. Most of it is sold overseas.
We are just talking about home pest control here ...
Actually -- blownz281 has been talking about pest control people who have licenses to apply a wide range of solutions, and Nicholas has been discussing licensed products as well.
Although my CDPR licenses permit me to use just about any pesticide to control fleas, roaches, and ants -- my personal choice for indoors is the Borax powder, and for outdoors is Cyfluthrin.
http://plantsthatproduce.com/image_gallery/Boric_Acid_Powder_web.jpg http://plantsthatproduce.com/image_gallery/Bayer_Powerforce_web.jpg
venturabananas
02-08-2012, 02:43 PM
... I would suggest something long term like tweeking the soil environment to discourage fleas.
Nick, in what way would you suggest tweaking the soil environment? I wouldn't mind having fewer fleas on my cats.
venturabananas
02-08-2012, 02:46 PM
...my personal choice... for outdoors is Cyfluthrin.
http://plantsthatproduce.com/image_gallery/Bayer_Powerforce_web.jpg
Would that also be reasonable and safe way to control ants that have established a nest in pots of fruiting plants? Or should I be concerned about consuming that chemical in the fruit produced? DE has not done the job.
momoese
02-08-2012, 03:04 PM
Actually -- blownz281 has been talking about pest control people who have licenses to apply a wide range of solutions, and Nicholas has been discussing licensed products as well.
Actually blownz281 was asking us if nematodes spread in both yards would work which has technically still not been answered.
Not a plant issue but a back yard one. Moved into a rental home,family played in the yard. Bug bites all over,so i mess with sand in yard.FLEAS..... Neighbors have 2 dogs an a huge wood pile. We swear thats where they must be coming from. Pest guy sprayed yard,spread pellets. Will issue ever be fixed?
If i order nemotodes an spread them in are yard an theres will that work?
As I stated I've tried them but no luck. I could see no difference. I do however know many dog owners who avoid the toxic top spot and oral flea poisons and opt for safer solutions to flea control such as nematodes who have had great success with them.
The exact products that were used by the pest control company were never mentioned. They may or may not have a negative impact on the nematodes depending on what was used.
sunfish
02-08-2012, 03:20 PM
Would that also be reasonable and safe way to control ants that have established a nest in pots of fruiting plants? Or should I be concerned about consuming that chemical in the fruit produced? DE has not done the job.
Boric acid mixed with sugar water worked good for me
Richard
02-08-2012, 04:57 PM
(Re: Cyfluthrin) Would that also be reasonable and safe way to control ants that have established a nest in pots of fruiting plants? Or should I be concerned about consuming that chemical in the fruit produced? DE has not done the job.
You should have no concerns about consumer-grade Cyfluthrin with vegetables or fruiting plants. It kills ants and larvae but not earthworms. Environmentally it is as safe as pyrethrum extract. I can use it (with a suitable license) in certified organic settings. That not something that can be said about other pyrethroids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethroid).
venturabananas
02-08-2012, 04:58 PM
Boric acid mixed with sugar water worked good for me
What was your recipe? How much of each? How did you put it out? In little dishes or something for them to dine on? I'm sure this has been discussed here at some point, but I'm feeling lazy. Sorry to hijack the flea thread with my ant problems.
momoese
02-08-2012, 05:11 PM
What was your recipe? How much of each? How did you put it out? In little dishes or something for them to dine on? I'm sure this has been discussed here at some point, but I'm feeling lazy. Sorry to hijack the flea thread with my ant problems.
As for ants I have had really great results spraying plants and the soil they are potted in with a mixture of water, olive oil, dish detergent, crushed garlic and Cayenne pepper powder. I did this to control whitefly and black scale which the ants were farming like crazy. It worked for all three pests. I sprayed about a week before your last visit and they are still insect free even after a couple rains!
I've heard that chalk repels ants, never tried it though.
venturabananas
02-08-2012, 05:13 PM
As for ants I have had really great results spraying plants and the soil they are potted in with a mixture of water, olive oil, dish detergent, crushed garlic and Cayenne pepper powder. I did this to control whitefly and black scale which the ants were farming like crazy. It worked for all three pests. I sprayed about a week before your last visit and they are still insect free even after a couple rains!
Good to know. And if I leave out the dish soap, I can use it as salad dressing! :ha:
sunfish
02-08-2012, 05:20 PM
What was your recipe? How much of each? How did you put it out? In little dishes or something for them to dine on? I'm sure this has been discussed here at some point, but I'm feeling lazy. Sorry to hijack the flea thread with my ant problems.
I cut the bottom off plastic water bottles and used like a dish.4 parts water 1 part sugar and a dash of boric acid.:goteam:
Richard
02-08-2012, 05:25 PM
I cut the bottom off plastic water bottles and used like a dish.4 parts water 1 part sugar and a dash of boric acid.:goteam:
Mary Poppins - A Spoon Full of Sugar with lyrics - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8VHc49ZdP4)
venturabananas
02-08-2012, 05:28 PM
I cut the bottom off plastic water bottles and used like a dish.4 parts water 1 part sugar and a dash of boric acid.:goteam:
I can remember that -- it's my hummingbird food recipe with borax! Need to be sure I don't confuse the two.:ha:
sunfish
02-08-2012, 05:39 PM
I can remember that -- it's my hummingbird food recipe with borax! Need to be sure I don't confuse the two.:ha:
That's where I got the the sugar water mix. The ants love the hummingbird feeders.
trebor
02-08-2012, 06:13 PM
Im sitting here reading this and grinning ! I have used Borax to repel roaches and fleas for years. Im way past 60 and am healthy! Sure I never get on the floor or inside my walls to kick up the borax dust then inhale it so I guess Im doing it right! Then I understand caution is best...
Also in a agriculture situation the black plastic is the kill all answer to everything in the soil ! Thats because it works , gets stuff HOT and they die :) I use it on my dirt garden every summer..
The nematodes for flea control are great as long as you have the proper humidity in the soil.. if you apply them in the heat of the day and don't water the following day they begin to die right away.. If ordered from Europe the cost is about 80 dollars enough to treat about one acre.. Its been years since I used them because I seem to have gotten rid of lots of dog neighbors! I love dogs ! So I wanted to keep a clean home during the flea season .. That is why I became Mr “kill those bugs”! Also I raised so many reptiles and believe me fleas can be a problem with them also .Lots of reptiles eat rats or mice I had a building filled with rodent cages for feeding purpose . So I had to keep a close watch out for those things.. Because were fleas survive mites seem to endure also.. Its the flea eggs you need to understand have a 21 day cycle so treating every two week 3 times seems to be most effective.. Now having said that I also want to tell you a flea egg can lay dormant for years and with the proper vibration or temperature it will hatch WAMMO where there one there are more so you have another out break of those disgusting little critters.. Hope something I said was helpful :)
Im no expert just got some real time experence
Nicolas Naranja
02-09-2012, 11:57 PM
Nick, in what way would you suggest tweaking the soil environment? I wouldn't mind having fewer fleas on my cats.
From my personal experience they seem to be less of a problem on the marl and muck soils. I don't know what it is about sand, but they seem to prefer that environment at least in Florida. I used to live 1/4 down the road on a the sand ridge and they were bad, and now I am on muck and marl and they are much less of an issue.
venturabananas
02-10-2012, 12:18 AM
From my personal experience they seem to be less of a problem on the marl and muck soils. I don't know what it is about sand, but they seem to prefer that environment at least in Florida. I used to live 1/4 down the road on a the sand ridge and they were bad, and now I am on muck and marl and they are much less of an issue.
Interesting observations. Thanks Nick.
bananas101
02-10-2012, 07:00 PM
If it is fleas, then you must treat the source. The best solution is to buy Frontline for your neighbors dogs. Rub the solution on the back of the dogs neck. Chemicals wont kill the egss, but as the adults bite the dogs, they will die shortly after. This works for ticks and other pest insects associated with dogs and cats. It usually takes 2-3 months to get the problem under control. The reason why it takes so long is because eggs and go dormant and hatch when environmental conditions improve.
Summer is the worst time for fleas because their population grows. Winter is a good time to nip it in the bud because their numbers are low. Treat the dogs once or twice. If not, then you will be reinfested time after time.
trebor
02-10-2012, 10:48 PM
From my personal experience they seem to be less of a problem on the marl and muck soils. I don't know what it is about sand, but they seem to prefer that environment at least in Florida. I used to live 1/4 down the road on a the sand ridge and they were bad, and now I am on muck and marl and they are much less of an issue.
Yes in the sand fleas can lay eggs or even worst die with eggs in them and the moisture drains through the sand allowing the eggs to be moist and then dry lasting for long periods of time . Just guessing but muck has less chance to drain off the water and might also have some natural repellent present in the soil..
momoese
02-10-2012, 11:15 PM
If it is fleas, then you must treat the source. The best solution is to buy Frontline for your neighbors dogs. Rub the solution on the back of the dogs neck. Chemicals wont kill the egss, but as the adults bite the dogs, they will die shortly after. This works for ticks and other pest insects associated with dogs and cats. It usually takes 2-3 months to get the problem under control. The reason why it takes so long is because eggs and go dormant and hatch when environmental conditions improve.
Summer is the worst time for fleas because their population grows. Winter is a good time to nip it in the bud because their numbers are low. Treat the dogs once or twice. If not, then you will be reinfested time after time.
This will also poison the dog.
bananas101
02-11-2012, 09:16 AM
I've used it for years and my oldest dog is 14....
fmu65
02-11-2012, 09:22 AM
I used to be a veterinary technician, and I'm not going to argue about this, but I just want to let you know what I have seen as far as flea control. The times animals would come in with adverse reactions to flea products would almost always be due to the over the counter products people would buy at pet stores or grocery stores. Frontline overall seems to be one of the safest choices for dogs, along with Revolution. Even the herbal treatments you can find, which are generally less effective, are in question to me. Their doses are not regulated or even tested by any outside sources other than the companies who manufacture them. The studies I have read regarding other herbal supplements have shown that actual amounts of active ingredients present in these products can vary widely from what is printed on the label, making me think herbal or "natural" flea products for animals are generally a waste of money. The only exception to this would be specific animals who have sensitivities or allergies, just like people can have. I personally use Revolution on my cats, which has never given an adverse reaction, and is a regulated product. I know the pharmaceutical companies are shady, but I would rather pick something that has been heavily analyzed and I have seen to work without adverse reactions. Frontline specifically includes a growth regulating hormone that, when the fleas ingest the pet's blood, will be passed along into any eggs that flea may lay, rendering them unable to hatch, so you are controlling multiple stages of the flea's life cycle. That, along with thorough vacuuming and cleaning of the house, will control the infestation. For an active infestation, veterinarians usually recommend no less than three months of treatment to be sure to catch all stages of the life cycle. I think most veterinarians do not explain this out well enough, so many people leave the vet clinic feeling like they can buy something just as effective for cheaper elsewhere. The products should also not just be used during the warm months for the reasons many people have brought up here- the fleas can lay dormant as pupae for months, so if your pet goes outside at all, year round control is necessary to keep your house and pet flea-free. Good luck with your fleas! I hope you are able to get your neighbours to be on board with keeping fleas out of your yard. Remember, if you see one flea, there are most likely one hundred you don't see.
bananas101
02-11-2012, 09:29 AM
"Frontline overall seems to be one of the safest choices for dogs, along with Revolution for cats."
For the amount of chemical used, its the least impact on the total environment.
momoese
02-11-2012, 10:52 AM
I haven't used any top spots on my dogs for 6 years now. Guess how many fleas they have? None! It's not needed in suburbia. There are safer ways to deal with the issue.
blownz281
02-16-2012, 04:20 PM
I agree they will never disappear an we can't spend the whole year hiding in the house. Dogs next door an two stray cats cutting through the yard the cycle will never end.
Richard
02-16-2012, 04:51 PM
I haven't used any top spots on my dogs for 6 years now. Guess how many fleas they have? None! It's not needed in suburbia. There are safer ways to deal with the issue.
Well, at least in your suburbia. It's a different story down here. I'm jealous. :)
momoese
02-16-2012, 05:39 PM
Well, at least in your suburbia. It's a different story down here. I'm jealous. :)
Well between the IGR, the DE, the constant washing of bedding and couch covers, constant hardwood floor vacuuming, organic dog diet (healthy dogs), semi weekly baths, trying to keep the top of soil on the dry side (deep watering) and the use of an organic neem spray on the dogs feet legs and undersides before park visits or hiking it's under control now. Having neighbors doing the same has helped too. Actually It's been over two years since I applied IGR. We were infested before taking action.
One odd thing about my neighborhood is that it's never had cockroaches. I've talked to residents who live in family owned homes from the late 1920's that tell me we have never had a problem here. Yet just a few miles up the road it's a huge problem.
Richard
02-16-2012, 07:17 PM
Mitchel, we have zero problems indoors from fleas. The fleas are outdoors and would only come in on our dog, then transfer to the cat. They don't inhabit furniture, linens, clothing, etc. nor do they have an appetite for humans that we have noticed. However, we were having to remove several daily from both animals with flea combs until finally we resorted to drops. Now we are back to combing weekly and never find fleas.
blownz281
02-16-2012, 07:51 PM
thats not correct,they like clothing,carpets etc. some people have a reaction to bites others dont.
momoese
02-16-2012, 08:04 PM
Mitchel, we have zero problems indoors from fleas. The fleas are outdoors and would only come in on our dog, then transfer to the cat. They don't inhabit furniture, linens, clothing, etc. nor do they have an appetite for humans that we have noticed. However, we were having to remove several daily from both animals with flea combs until finally we resorted to drops. Now we are back to combing weekly and never find fleas.
We had them both outdoors and in, mostly outdoors though. They like shady moist areas in the garden. Not good for tropical gardens! I could bath the dog, vacuum the whole house, clean the bedding and they'd have fleas within hours. Our dogs have double coats that are thick so flea combs are useless. I think there were also some fleas under the house from the Racoons that forced a vent screen off and played house down there. I sprayed IGR as far as I could under there from a pump sprayer using the stream tip. The Archer brand IGR is UV resistant and one application lasts 7 months.
sunfish
02-16-2012, 08:14 PM
Good commercial though
K9 Advantix Ain't No Bugs On Me Commercial - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNlt0D_xba4)
Richard
02-16-2012, 08:32 PM
Mitchel, we have zero problems indoors from fleas. The fleas are outdoors and would only come in on our dog, then transfer to the cat. They don't inhabit furniture, linens, clothing, etc. nor do they have an appetite for humans that we have noticed. However, we were having to remove several daily from both animals with flea combs until finally we resorted to drops. Now we are back to combing weekly and never find fleas.
thats not correct ...
It is correct for the species of fleas here that hang out with the coyotes, et al.
fmu65
02-17-2012, 06:50 AM
I would not recommend Advantix for a household with cats, though. I have seen cats get reactions when an owner mistakenly applied it to their cat, or the cat groomed a dog who was recently treated with it. It contains a chemical that is toxic for cats but not for dogs.
Also, fleas are opportunistic, and will bite any species (humans included) they can. They prefer their own host species the best (due to the average body temperature). However, if you don't get bites, like it was mentioned above, you may not be as sensitive to their saliva (or you are lucky and they haven't found you yet because they are happy on your dog and/or cat). They won't leave a host to bite you, but if they are not near your pets when they come out of their pupa, they will go after anything warm.
Richard
02-17-2012, 12:42 PM
There are several species of fleas around San Diego county. There are the very small sand fleas on the coast and coastal bluffs. When I go hiking in Torrey Pines I will get bit by these unless I've remembered to put repellent on my lower legs. Far inland there are large brown woodland fleas that are almost the size of a tick. They'll come get you at night when you're camping if you're not wearing repellent. In the intracoastal chaparral where I reside there are medium size brown fleas that hang out on the sumac and seasonal grasses waiting for passing rabbits, coyotes, rats, etc. I rarely wear repellent but they don't jump on me when I move through the brush. However, they will definitely be on my dog (spaniel x retriever) unless we've been using flea drops.
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