Can you help with this flea problem?

Question

We have 5 cocker spaniels. They all have fleas and it's getting bad. I feel like it's my fault for letting it get this way (been dealing with the sickness and death of a family member).

I need to kick this problem. They are all over the dogs and all over the house. I guess it's safe to assume they are also all over the yard.

Here's what I know:

I need to bath the dogs.. Should I give them a close shave first? They all have pretty long hair.

I need to de-flea the house. I was told sevin dust is the way to go. Is the proper method to put it every where then vacuum it up about 24 hours later? This is what I was told. Is it safe for the pups? I'm pregnant, is it safe for me?

-I need to wash everything that can be washed. should I use a special detergent?

-I need to spray the yard with a flea killer. Does the weather make a difference?

Any advice, recommendations, and personal experience will be a big help! Thanks so much!

Answer 1

bath them in flea shampoo

then put frontline or advantage on

use flea powder on your floors then vaccum up

Answer 2

Once you have a flea infestation, it is a process to get your home flea free.  You can't just treat the dogs, the fleas will jump right back on. First you need to buy a spray at the hardware store, preferably one that attaches to a hose, that is for fleas and spray the yard. Don't spray if it is going to rain within 24-48 hours unless product says otherwise.  You can use  a product for fleas on the carpet or you can bomb.  I'm not sure sevin dust is approved for indoor use, but you can find products at Petco or the hardware store that are. you'll have to experiment and see what works best.  Fleas also can live on   upholstery, bedding, blankets etc, so you will need to spray your furniture, pet bedding, etc. I have had more luck with Revolution as a topical flea treatment (it also prevents heartworm).  Sometimes my dogs (I have 4) had fleas again 2 weeks after using Frontline or Advantage, but some people swear by these products.  You may have to repeat these treaments a few times if the fleas are bad.  Good Luck

Answer 3

My cocker spaniel was my first experience with fleas many years ago.

Flea bombs work well but be careful since you are pregnant.  These are strong pesticides.

Vacuum,vacuum, vaccuum...at least once a day for 30 days.  If you have a vacuum with a bag, throw the bag away after every vacuum.

Frontline is an excellent measure of prevention.

Answer 4

If you are experiencing "flea infestation" you need to use a bug bomb - use one that is specific for fleas.

Second, you need to de-flea your dogs. Ask your Veterinarian for help here. You might consider giving them all 'Capstar' and a good treatment with Frontline Plus. You can even have your vet do this for you.

Fleas are bad news no matter where you are or what the weather is. Clipping your dogs first, before applying Frontline is a choice. Again, consult your Vet.

First get you and your cockers out, bomb the house. While it is doing its job, have them at the vet for a clip and de-flea treatment and the bugh man there to spray the outside - After about 6 hours, you can go back inside safely, vacuum the house thoroughly and dump the bags or burn them to destroy the fleas you vacuumed up.

Answer 5

The flea bath should work as long as you are using the right shampoo.  Shaving them won't make any difference, but of course, it may actually feel really good to the dogs to get the weight off for a while.  Their coats will grow back in nicer than they looked before.  

Sevin dust will work fine... I use a flea killing powder for my carpet, and it eliminates all fleas; I don't even have to give my dog and cats flea medication every month, simply because they never get them.  However, I would have someone else vacuum since you are pregnant.  There are a lot of harmful chemicals in flea killers that you don't want to breathe in and have in your bloodstream with a baby on the way.  (Congratulations on the baby, by the way!)

The dogs shouldn't be near the flea killer either.  I would recommend that you and the dogs find something to do for that 24 hours that will be fun for both them and you, like go visit a friend who has dogs to have some play time, or maybe a hike.  :)

You won't have to use a special detergent, just make sure that you wash everything on hot.  It will definitely rid you of the fleas on all your stuff.  

And when you spray with flea killers, try to do it when you know there isn't a forecast for rain... rain can wash it away and reduce effectiveness, so if it does happen to rain, just do it twice.  

Lastly, you should definitely put your dogs on a topical medication like Advantage or Frontline as soon as all this is cleared up.  It will help prevent them from tracking in fleas in the future.

Best of luck with your flea problem.  I know it must be annoying for both you and your dogs!