Flea Control

[labmomma]

I think I'm going to stick with Frontline. I've also read that Sentinel, the
heart worm medicine takes care of all parasites including whipworms and is also effective against fleas. I'm supplied for 6 months with heartworm medicine for 3 dogs so will go ahead and use that up and then talk to my vet.
Thanks so much for the advice.

[jackie]

Garlic is a natural flea repellant, but should only be used in small amounts.

I use Frontline on all the dogs and my cat, and seems to work great. Sentinel is another highly recommended product.

[Scooby4]

Brewer's yeast is a natural alternative which is also beneficial to their coats. You can get the supplement at a health food store in a powder form and maybe at less cost than a pet store. Avoid the kind with Garlic. Garlic causes gas which is more of a "human" repellant than a flea .
How brewer's yeast works is that it secrets a "smell" from the dog's skin. This smell humans can not smell but the fleas do. The fleas don't like the smell and eventually move off the dog. This does take time and is NOT an immediate solution. However, your dog's coat will improve in the mean time. My dog Scooby is allergic to yeast so check for sensitivity.
Frontline is the BEST and I have used it. I am NOT happy with the application part of it but in the end it does produce the best results. It can be slightly messy when using the applicator and petting should be avoided for a few hours till it dries.
Another solution for the yard is the use of "nematodes". This is another bio friendly solution. Nematodes are an "organism" or "bug" that only lives off of eating fleas. Once the fleas are gone the nematodes are gone. The product can be hard to find. I believe the first part of the product name is "bio"??? You can find it at pet stores in a canister.
There of course is the old timey "light and a pan of water" for getting rid of fleas in the house. This does work pretty well. Just have a light similar to a "grow light" above a pan of water for the fleas to jump in and drown. Not sure where to buy this kind of setup since it is kind of an old fashion solution. But my parents have used it and it works.
My dog Scooby is HIGHLY allergic to fleas. It is important for me to keep "vigilante" on flea control. I've gone through periods of fleas everywhere. It can take up to a month to get rid of the infestation. Once you get control you can maintain it better. Good luck!

[renfest]

I have used Brewer's yeast and Garlic as well as front line I am not into the chemical stuff , because I live in a wooded area I am always checking the cat and dog for fleas and ticks ... whenever they are playing outside and in the garden w/us we check them ... Merilyn is getting a fenced area for himself this spring and we will make sure that we treat the area w/a natural repellant as well.

rennie

[steph]

hello people..

Frontline is a great product for fleas.. however "STRONGHOLD" is a better one! not only does it treat for fleas, it does heart worms, tape worms, ear mites, ring worms, AND treats the home as well!! it's a small pippet (one pippet will last 1 month, comes in a pack of 3)and you apply it to the back of the dogs/cats neck, and it works in the oils of the skin.. its an awesome product.. you only have to buy "stronghold" and your dog/cat will be treated for everything, plus it kills the fleas around the home!!! what more could you ask for..lol

[renfest]

I was wondering if I can get it at Petsmart? I will check it out when I am in town..

rennie

[JenBKR]

If you can get it at Petsmart it won't be effective. I don't think that stronghold is available in the US, and is not effective against ticks. I still think that frontline is your best bet.