Talk to me about Fleas (swimming pool, yard, station)

[elnina]

I remember having that problem years ago (neighbors cats in the yard). I sprayed my shoes and socks, (and tucked my pants inside the socks) with flea spray to prevent bringing them inside the house. It worked ( I put on white socks to see the fleas better )

[N. Olikee]

Many years ago, we had someone (some worker) come into our (then) home and he had fleas. I mean, he had stepped into a "bed" or something, and left them behind in our living room. It was the weirdest thing!

We read about a company there that got rid of fleas "naturally" using diatomaceous earth. They came in and spread it around all over the place. We had to leave during this "process," for a day or so. Then, we came back and vacuumed, and it was over...........forever.......never had the same experience since.

[studiobtm]

I personally think it far more dangerous to use "natural" diatomaceous earth (DE) than "man made" pesticides. People need to view these things in a balanced way.

I think the asbestos scare is way overblown but I would avoid breathing the stuff given a choice. I wouldn't want to breathe in DE for the same reasons.

In contrast - the bulk of the "man made" pesticides used indoors these days are based on chrysanthemum flower oil (Pyrethrum). Don't believe what you read in the newspapers - most of those stories are based on studies that are statistically invalid - they just make scary headlines so the news whores can sell you their product.

I was raised by hippies and grew up on "Natural" and "Organic". (I wonder if my Dad's tobacco and weed were "organic"). Anyway, they believed anything they read about the subject - just because it fit their world view. But so much of what they believed can be just shredded by someone with a background in organic chemistry and statistics.

[N. Olikee]

Originally Posted by studiobtm

I personally think it far more dangerous to use "natural" diatomaceous earth (DE) than "man made" pesticides. People need to view these things in a balanced way.

I think the asbestos scare is way overblown but I would avoid breathing the stuff given a choice. I wouldn't want to breathe in DE for the same reasons.

In contrast - the bulk of the "man made" pesticides used indoors these days are based on chrysanthemum flower oil (Pyrethrum). Don't believe what you read in the newspapers - most of those stories are based on studies that are statistically invalid - they just make scary headlines so the news whores can sell you their product.

I was raised by hippies and grew up on "Natural" and "Organic". (I wonder if my Dad's tobacco and weed were "organic"). Anyway, they believed anything they read about the subject - just because it fit their world view. But so much of what they believed can be just shredded by someone with a background in organic chemistry and statistics.

So, I'm confused by your response because it was.....well......"balanced"??? And your answer to the problem is....????

[Ellen Pitts]

Originally Posted by studiobtm

I personally think it far more dangerous to use "natural" diatomaceous earth (DE) than "man made" pesticides. People need to view these things in a balanced way.

I think the asbestos scare is way overblown but I would avoid breathing the stuff given a choice. I wouldn't want to breathe in DE for the same reasons.

In contrast - the bulk of the "man made" pesticides used indoors these days are based on chrysanthemum flower oil (Pyrethrum). Don't believe what you read in the newspapers - most of those stories are based on studies that are statistically invalid - they just make scary headlines so the news whores can sell you their product.

I was raised by hippies and grew up on "Natural" and "Organic". (I wonder if my Dad's tobacco and weed were "organic"). Anyway, they believed anything they read about the subject - just because it fit their world view. But so much of what they believed can be just shredded by someone with a background in organic chemistry and statistics.

And you think statistics aren't manipulated to fit the statistician's world view?

[Sugar Land Yak]

DE is natural, sorry to tell you this but it is widely found in many food products that you digest...Again make sure you do not used the DE for swimming pools.

It is used in feed supplements even in organic meats...

What is DE? Diatomaceous earth is a remarkable, all-natural product made from tiny fossilized water plants.

Again make sure you do not used the DE for swimming pools.

[HoustonBornNRaised]

I find it odd to see fleas in a home with no animals. Then again, I have animals and no fleas.

I grew up in a house with fleas and a father who would not treat the house or the pets. You want to know how my sister and I controlled them? Not that I suggest this - I'm just telling a story - we used to lay down a white sheet and sit there with a cup of alcohol and nab them when they landed on the sheet, and then we'd drop them the alcohol, where they'd quickly die.

Ah... good times.

Don't even get me started on the Asian Flying Cockroaches.

[studiobtm]

Originally Posted by Sugar Land ***

DE is natural, sorry to tell you this but it is widely found in many food products that you digest...Again make sure you do not used the DE for swimming pools.

It is used in feed supplements even in organic meats...

What is DE? Diatomaceous earth is a remarkable, all-natural product made from tiny fossilized water plants.

Again make sure you do not used the DE for swimming pools.

I'm fully aware that DE is "natural" and that it is "remarkable" (lol). Hate to tell you this but there is a difference between inhalation and ingestion. Typical. Oh, I hate to tell you this also. but I use it for my swimming pool along with a few million other people.

[studiobtm]

Originally Posted by HoustonBornNRaised

I find it odd to see fleas in a home with no animals. Then again, I have animals and no fleas.

I grew up in a house with fleas and a father who would not treat the house or the pets. You want to know how my sister and I controlled them? Not that I suggest this - I'm just telling a story - we used to lay down a white sheet and sit there with a cup of alcohol and nab them when they landed on the sheet, and then we'd drop them the alcohol, where they'd quickly die.

Ah... good times.

Don't even get me started on the Asian Flying Cockroaches.

Your old man must have been my father's long lost brother....

[studiobtm]

Originally Posted by pegotty

And you think statistics aren't manipulated to fit the statistician's world view?

Well actually that is rather my point - although it is usually some one other than a statistician doing the manipulation. By manipulation I mean that the study is either structurally flawed or that the results are not peer reviewed and invalid due to some obvious reason such as sample sizes that are far too small, the variance is in the noise level etc.

Unfortunately they are released to the press as 'results' regardless and the press are either too ignorant or uncaring to verify anything.