Flea Invasion!! (Garner: house, shop, agricultural)

[GarnerMama]

Our backyard has been overrun with huge fleas. I've never seen fleas this big. I have 2 dogs, and can only use Frontline on one of them because the other one is sensitive to it. It makes him violently ill. Over the weekend, my kids even had fleas on their socks. Any suggestions for ridding my back yard of the fleas? I don't want them inside. I can imagine that's a nightmare. I've seen sprays at Home Depot, but does anyone have experience with them or should I call a local professional?

[Monsieur Boston]

I use the granules to control fleas, ticks, ants, etc. You just dump them in your lawn spreader, use the recommended setting and go.

This year I tried the spray bottle (that goes on the end of the hose) but I don't care for it becuase I don't know for certainty the rate of flow. At least with the spreader I can adjust the settings and see where I've dropped the granules.

I started it last year and I think in the last two years we've only found one tick on my dog.

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by GarnerMama

Our backyard has been overrun with huge fleas. I've never seen fleas this big. I have 2 dogs, and can only use Frontline on one of them because the other one is sensitive to it. It makes him violently ill. Over the weekend, my kids even had fleas on their socks. Any suggestions for ridding my back yard of the fleas? I don't want them inside. I can imagine that's a nightmare. I've seen sprays at Home Depot, but does anyone have experience with them or should I call a local professional?

I would call your local agricultural extension office. They probably can recommend something that will kill the fleas and they can advise you on your pets & kids. You may have to keep the kiddos (2 & 4 legged) out of the yard for a while.

My granny always said her Mrytle Bushes kept fleas away. But she had chickens so it's hard to tell if it was the smell of the bushes or the fact that the fleas ended up as lunch.

Good luck.

[chiledog]

For the dog that gets sick on flea treatments. You might try Sentinel (it is a worm and flea pill combined). One of my dogs is very sensitive to topical treatments but had no problems with this pill.

(but it is wicked expensive.)

[peperoberto]

I'd say go to a farm supply/feed store. They'll be able to give you something to spray in your yard and kill fleas.

[sowk09]

Have you tried the Capstar flea pills? My cat's skin looked burnt when I put topical flea stuff on her once, so now I do capstar. Not cheap but effective.

[Voltige]

Not sure about the yard problem, but I agree with a pill for flea control. We've started using Comfortis with the three dogs this year with HUGE success! It's like Capstar, but lasts an entire month, killing adults, eggs, etc. Love it.

Of course, it doesn't handle ticks or anything else, but it's worth it (to me) for the flea control.

For my indoor cat I use Revolution year round. Topcial, but it's never caused any irritation at all. He does object to the alcohol smell on initial application though.

[andyselec]

when I brought my house 3 years ago the yard was over run with fleas i had to get a landscper buddy to use some strong stuff to get rid of them. It is one of thet few yard activities I would leave to a pro but the stuff works and we haven't notice any change in any other wildlife (birds, squirell, deer, etc.)

[wheelsup]

Ortho max bug be gone kills fleas, for $13 I would put that on first.

[RaleighLass]

Originally Posted by chiledog

For the dog that gets sick on flea treatments. You might try Sentinel (it is a worm and flea pill combined). One of my dogs is very sensitive to topical treatments but had no problems with this pill.

(but it is wicked expensive.)

Yeah, $111 at the vet! I have an inside dog who only goes out for daily walks and she has picked them up, we cannot get them off her despite numerous treatments. We are giving Sentinel a try. If this works I'll be shopping around for a cheaper supply of the stuff.