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Cleaning Up:  fleas  |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7546 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7546 Posts |
 Posted - May 19 2015 : 9:30:19 PM
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HELP! My cat sitter called and said she got attacked by a swarm of fleas at my house. What are some good remedies to rid house of fleas?
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
Farmgirl #1919
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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Song Sparrow
True Blue Farmgirl
1010 Posts
Amy
Talleyville
Delaware
USA
1010 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2015 : 3:03:55 PM
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Hi Linda, I know on just how you feel, this happened to me a few years ago. My cats are inside kitties, but the fleas can get in lots of other ways -- people's shoes is a major way they come in. I really don't know if there are any effective non-chemical ways to clear them out they've gotten established in the house. I was able to get rid of them by using Advantage for 6 months of applications on each cat. It actually makes the fleas unable to reproduce, so they're pretty much gone in a few weeks. I didn't have to bomb. I have wood floors and very little upholstered furniture and curtains, and I gave everything a really good vacuum/wash. It's not ideal because the chemicals made me nervous, but at the time no one offered any alternatives. I've read a lot about diatemaceous (sp?) earth as a flea killer, and you my want to research that. There are some important respiratory precautions with using it indoors, though.
Since my cats don't go out, I started trying to get everyone to take off their shoes at the kitchen door (with varying degrees of success :) and in the warm weather months I wipe the shoes, especially the soles, with my old standby white vinegar. It's been a couple of year and no more issues, so maybe it helps.
I'm really interested to see if anyone else has a more natural solution than the Advantage type products. I know eucalyptus will kill fleas, and rosemary will repell them, but you have to be so careful with essential oils and herbs with cats. My vet said neither one can be used on cats. Anyway, good luck, and let me know how you make out!
Peace in our hearts, peace in the world
Amy (Sister#6098) www.danaherandcloud.com
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Caron
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
Caron
Orange
Texas
USA
535 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2015 : 4:13:29 PM
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I will be following this also because we are having flea problems in our area. My cats and dog have Advantage on them and I have no carpet but still I know if we all leave the house for a couple of days we will be attacked by fleas when we enter the house again. And my sister, who lives in Austin, just spent $600.00 at a vet to save her cat who became anemic from flea bites. They came in on the dog who comes in the house occasionally and it only took a week or so for her to get this sick.
Farmgirl Sister #254
Heart of Texas Farmgirls Mother Hen
"An Apron:Its strings gently tug at us, tenderly, softly calling us to turn back to the old ways".-Above Rubies Magazine |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7546 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7546 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2015 : 08:28:04 AM
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Well, being that I was 1400 miles from home, I did resort to having the house sprayed by Orkin. The cats (indoor outdoor cats) were put into the garage for half a day to keep them from going under the house. I am looking into more natural methods, since they had also been a problem last year and I think this was possibly last years' eggs that hatched to cause this larger swarm. I read about several natural deterrents and am going to check on that again. I will post here what I find out because I'd love to be able to treat them naturally.
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
Farmgirl #1919
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7546 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7546 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2015 : 9:15:37 PM
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Here are various methods to help rid a Home of fleas. I am going to try some of them. Maybe there are some here that you haven't heard of?
http://www.wikihow.com/Kill-Fleas-in-a-Home
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
Farmgirl #1919
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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Bart
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
115 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2015 : 12:33:53 PM
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I'm a huge proponent of peppermint oil and use it throughout my old house. Mice, spiders, fleas and even rabbits hate it!
for fleas I would use a spray bottle of warm water with 1-2 TBLS of peppermint essential oil and 1TBL of cedar essential oil.
for spiders and mice I use the spray bottle with just the peppermint EO and some Lavender EO.
When I make my solution for cleaning or mopping the wood floors I use white vinegar with peppermint and lavender (I usually keep a jar full of vinegar with lemon or orange peels soaking in it to flavor the vinegar - just pour off the vinegar and toss the peels then start another jar).
For Carpeting - I make a shake on powder of baking soda, fine salt and peppermint, cedar and lavender essential oils. Shake it on, let it sit for awhile and then vacuum it up.
If possible, plant peppermint all around your house. |
Edited by - Bart on May 26 2015 12:35:12 PM |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7114 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7114 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2015 : 12:42:03 PM
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Thanks Bart, I'll print all your good info.
Have a blessed day, Sara ~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7546 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7546 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2015 : 7:30:01 PM
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Thanks, Bart - sounds like great ways to prevent or curb pests.
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
Farmgirl #1919
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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Song Sparrow
True Blue Farmgirl
1010 Posts
Amy
Talleyville
Delaware
USA
1010 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2015 : 7:47:41 PM
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Great advice, thanks Bart!
Peace in our hearts, peace in the world
Amy (Sister#6098) www.danaherandcloud.com
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2015 : 4:33:15 PM
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I'm dealing with the aftermath of fleas. Lord! We tore out the rugs, bombed over the course of 3 days and 20 bombs later then sprayed pyretherin spray. We're in the process of cleaning up. I found on facebook a recipe calling for 1 cup DE food grade, 1/2 c neem, 1/2 cup yarrow and 20 drops of eucalyptus oil. Sprinkle on rugs for a few hours (I'm going to do this overnight when I don't have to work) then vacuum. Going to do this as a preventative in the rugs that we've replaced. the powder can be used on cats, just don't add the eucalyptus oil.
Hope it helps.
Lorie
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2015 : 7:03:44 PM
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Food grade diatomaceous earth - I swear by it. Here is a link to the website where I buy it, and it gives you all the information you'll need in the links in the upper right hand side of the page: http://www.earthworkshealth.com/
I'm so sorry you're going through this, Linda. Years ago, I was in a direct-selling business and after doing a show in one very nice looking home, we got a bad case of the nastiest fleas on record. Within days they overtook the Victorian house we were living in - all six apartment units, the attic and basement had to be fumigated. Nasty, nasty, nasty horrific. And when you fumigate, they will get into any nook and cranny that isn't exposed, and will come right back out to take over again. Diatomaceous earth scrapes into their bodies and they dry up dead; I am not sure, but I think it gets their eggs, too - you'll read more in the link above. Whatever route you decide to go, I hope you get some relief very, very soon!
Hugs,
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
www.papercraftingwithnini.ctmh.com
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7546 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7546 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2015 : 7:13:19 PM
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Nini -
My fleas are gone now. I think Lorena's house has fleas now. Not from me, though. After they were gone, I took up all the carpets and am not putting them back. I like hardwood floors, anyway.
Farmgirl hugs,
Farmgirl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month August 2015
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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Edited by - quiltee on Aug 31 2015 7:16:07 PM |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2015 : 7:22:11 PM
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Oh, thank goodness, Linda! I'm so glad! They are just the worst! Let's just say a prayer for Lorena now! :)
(I prefer hardwood floors, too, with some pretty carpets on top!)
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
www.papercraftingwithnini.ctmh.com
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7546 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7546 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2015 : 7:46:44 PM
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Yes, I like throw rugs on top. I had 8x10' rugs, but like the bare floors better. LOL!
Farmgirl hugs,
Farmgirl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month August 2015
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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Ozark Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
130 Posts
130 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2015 : 11:41:46 AM
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Edited by - Ozark Farmgirl on Sep 27 2015 10:55:30 PM |
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Madelena
True Blue Farmgirl
1919 Posts
Mary
Central
TX
USA
1919 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2015 : 02:42:07 AM
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My dogs vet said that she had an inside-outside dog and only used diatomaceous earth ``` She said she has NO flea problem.
Follow the directions...And keep pets OFF THE RUG. I covered my entire living room with flat bed sheets. And of course, my son shows up with a girl friend he wants to introduce to me. Don't think she lasted long. LOL !!
"There is no unbelief: Whoever plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see it push away the clod, he trusts in God." (Kate Douglas Wiggin) |
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2016 : 2:45:06 PM
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I like this!
quote:
Originally posted by Bart
I'm a huge proponent of peppermint oil and use it throughout my old house. Mice, spiders, fleas and even rabbits hate it!
for fleas I would use a spray bottle of warm water with 1-2 TBLS of peppermint essential oil and 1TBL of cedar essential oil.
for spiders and mice I use the spray bottle with just the peppermint EO and some Lavender EO.
When I make my solution for cleaning or mopping the wood floors I use white vinegar with peppermint and lavender (I usually keep a jar full of vinegar with lemon or orange peels soaking in it to flavor the vinegar - just pour off the vinegar and toss the peels then start another jar).
For Carpeting - I make a shake on powder of baking soda, fine salt and peppermint, cedar and lavender essential oils. Shake it on, let it sit for awhile and then vacuum it up.
If possible, plant peppermint all around your house.
FarmGirl Sister #2245
http://www.goddessinthegroove.com
"Women with opinions, pendants, & KitchenWitches...all in one."
Find me on INSTAGRAM! Goddess in the Groove |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2016 : 4:38:29 PM
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I have always heard to sprinkle powdered borax laundry soap all around and then vacuum it up perhaps the next day. it is known for being natural but kills the fleas.
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett
Beverley with an extra E...
https://sites.google.com/site/bevsdoggies/
http://bevsdoggies.blogspot.com/ |
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Cleaning Up: fleas |
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fleas
