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pesticide-resistant fleas- how to get rid of them for good
I've got an old stone & sand basement that has fleas really, really bad from the previous owner (well, her cat). When I first moved in, a 10-second trip to the basement would mean at least 40 fleas on me by the time I made it back to the top of the basement stairs. I've tried bug bombs, followed by the last 9 months with a professional pest service who comes all the time (I call them every time I go down there because I always have at least 5-10 fleas jump on me). They have tried every chemical they have legal access to use, but nothing has worked. No pets (or people) use the basement, right now it is useless space. The pest control service has expressed some concern about the total amount of pesticide they have sprayed in the last year- the only reason they haven't stopped altogether is because the area they are spraying isnt living space. So now I'm stuck with these invincible fleas. Does anyone know of any alternative methods I should try? So far I haven't gotten any good ideas, and the funniest suggestion I've gotten was from a co-worker who suggested throwing a few dozen cats in the basement as "flea sponges", then carting the cats out. I'm an animal lover, so I wont take that suggestion seriously ;-) but I am looking for real options... Thanks, Keith |
Keith wrote in
. 63.158: I've got an old stone & sand basement that has fleas really, really bad from the previous owner (well, her cat). When I first moved in, a 10-second trip to the basement would mean at least 40 fleas on me by the time I made it back to the top of the basement stairs. I've tried bug bombs, followed by the last 9 months with a professional pest service who comes all the time (I call them every time I go down there because I always have at least 5-10 fleas jump on me). They have tried every chemical they have legal access to use, but nothing has worked. No pets (or people) use the basement, right now it is useless space. The pest control service has expressed some concern about the total amount of pesticide they have sprayed in the last year- the only reason they haven't stopped altogether is because the area they are spraying isnt living space. So now I'm stuck with these invincible fleas. Does anyone know of any alternative methods I should try? So far I haven't gotten any good ideas, and the funniest suggestion I've gotten was from a co-worker who suggested throwing a few dozen cats in the basement as "flea sponges", then carting the cats out. I'm an animal lover, so I wont take that suggestion seriously ;-) but I am looking for real options... Thanks, Keith They now make growth regulators that stop the growth cycle of fleas and other insects,the sprays last for 6 months or more.The stuff I have is called Enforcer Flea spray for homes.it cost about $10 at Home Depot. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |
Keith writes:
So now I'm stuck with these invincible fleas. Does anyone know of any alternative methods I should try? Find something you can apply yourself that is effective. Not just permethrins. And then violate federal law by multiplying the dose. The recommended doses on consumer products tend to be minimal, as are the "professional" products and trade, these days. I don't know what "bug bombs" you tried, but the Raid fumigators in the little blue cans are quite effective, and you can multiply those, too. |
for a non-chemical approach, get some food-grade diatomaceous earth (aka
DE ), it's a fine powder made of ground up diatomes (aka sea shells). sprinkle it around, making sure to get into cracks along walls/floorboards. The DE will nick the exoskeleton and the insects dehydrate and die. it also works on fire-ants :-) HTH -- lynn "Keith" wrote in message . 63.158... I've got an old stone & sand basement that has fleas really, really bad from the previous owner (well, her cat). When I first moved in, a 10-second trip to the basement would mean at least 40 fleas on me by the time I made it back to the top of the basement stairs. I've tried bug bombs, followed by the last 9 months with a professional pest service who comes all the time (I call them every time I go down there because I always have at least 5-10 fleas jump on me). They have tried every chemical they have legal access to use, but nothing has worked. No pets (or people) use the basement, right now it is useless space. The pest control service has expressed some concern about the total amount of pesticide they have sprayed in the last year- the only reason they haven't stopped altogether is because the area they are spraying isnt living space. So now I'm stuck with these invincible fleas. Does anyone know of any alternative methods I should try? So far I haven't gotten any good ideas, and the funniest suggestion I've gotten was from a co-worker who suggested throwing a few dozen cats in the basement as "flea sponges", then carting the cats out. I'm an animal lover, so I wont take that suggestion seriously ;-) but I am looking for real options... Thanks, Keith |
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Keith wrote: I've got an old stone & sand basement that has fleas really, really bad from the previous owner (well, her cat). When I first moved in, a 10-second ANY chance there are mice, rats, squirrels in voids around basement? Possums, etc., nesting under a porch or in attic? If there are wild critters bringing them in, it can be a risk of disease. Are you using a "name brand" pest control company? If so, go up the ladder. They may be using a product that doesn't kill eggs, and retreatment is needed after a few days to get newly hatched fleas. Be sure no animals or nests are present. |
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