Help, fleas!

[annielinz]

I have never had a flea problem in this house. But my aged cat passed a few weeks back (well she disappeared) but she left behind fleas. In all the years we've had her there was never a problem, now there's a problem, a big itchy one! :eek:
So aside from setting off a bomb or getting an exterminator any suggestions?

[ChapterTwo]

Oh, boy, annielinz...I empathize!

We had a bout with that when I was cleaning out my parents' home after my Dad passed...I brought in a kitten and before I knew it, fleas were everywhere! The only plus was that because no one was living there, I was able to use the flea bomb.

Okay, here's what I found for safely ridding your home of fleas:

A word of note: Diatomaceous earth for pest control should not be confused with "Pool Grade" diatomaceous earth, which is treated with heat, causing the formerly amorphous silicon dioxide to assume crystalline form which is not effective for insect pest control.

Apply small amounts of diatomaceous earth throughout the home. Diatomaceous earth is a remarkable, all-natural product made from tiny fossilized skeletal remains of unicellular plants called diatoms. But while 'DE' may look and feel like talcum powder to us, to insects it is a lethal dust with microscopic razor-sharp edges which cuts the flea`s protective outer covering, leading to dessication and death. And while DE spells death to insects, it is harmless to humans and pets.

Apply DE in places where fleas seem most prevalent: a dusting on the pet's bedding and the carpet or couch, a teaspoon under the baseboard heater, beneath the stove or cupboards, near the sink, garbage or wherever you suspect fleas. While the effectiveness of the dust does not wear out, it can be accidentally sucked up when vacuuming, so you may need to reapply after using the vacuum in certain areas.

The application of DE has the added benefit of effective flea control whether rooms are carpeted or have bare wood or tile floors. A carpet can be given a light dusting of DE, and a sprinkling on wood floors will find its way to the cracks and crevices where insects frequent. DE can also be rubbed directly into the fur of your pet dog or cat.

The application of diatomaceous earth should continue after the resident flea population is exterminated. This is because tiny hibernating fleas in the cocoon stage may survive in the home environment up to a year without food. This stage can survive most treatments and can emerge to reintroduce the flea population in your home.

It only takes a small amount of diatomaceous earth to cover a large area indoors if it is strategically placed near problem areas or where fleas would likely hide. Since diatomaceous earth usually comes in a fairly large bag, the leftover can be saved since "DE" stores well, but it can also be used outdoors as an effective slug repellent.


I wish you good luck! Please keep us posted...

[annielinz]

Chapter two, Thank you, now where would I find this stuff?

[annielinz]

Ohhh, it looks like i can get at a regular hardware store, will check it out.

[ChapterTwo]

Yes, they say that Ace Hardware stores have it. I'd call first (I'm a big fan of letting my fingers do the walking...) ;)

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1394296&CAWELAID=188273783