Battling Fleas Futile, Expensive

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Fleas have taken over my house and pets. I’ve tried foggers, pesticides, topical ointments, pills, and ecologically-friendly products. The little bloodsuckers won’t die.

I’ve bathed and treated my pets with a variety of product types; groomed out the fleas with fine-toothed combed, vacuumed, washed or treated their bedding areas with caustic detergents and pine-based products.  It’s been agonizing and futile.

The following are products I’ve tried:

Eco Smart. An eco-friendly, herbal-based bug spray, this smelly stuff was ineffective on fleas, and did not kill spiders.

Enforcer Flea Control. This gallon-size product comes with a hand-pump spray applicator and is supposed to kill fleas, stop eggs from hatching. Spraying water would be as ineffective.

Ortho Home Defense Max. This work pretty well. Though not intended to target fleas, this gallon-sized, hand pumped spray out-performed Enforcer, and most flea bombs.

Raid flea fogger. When the Hot Shot and Adams flea foggers only worked temporarily, Raid was rather effective. All of these foggers list different active ingredient, but the most effective formulations contain both an adulticide (e.g., permethrin) that targets adult fleas, and an insect growth regulator (methoprene or pyriproxyfen), which provides long-term suppression of the eggs, larvae and pupae, according to the  University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.

Frontline Plus. Suitable for dogs and cats, this topical flea and tick treatment claims to kill 100 percent of fleas within 18 hours, and prevent flea eggs and larvae from developing for 30 days. For my dogs and cats, this worked for only one week.

Advantage. Another monthly topical flea preventative (but not for tick treatment) I have experienced better results. Advantage is not sold in many local pet stores, but can be obtained at many veterinary clinics, which also have a wider variety of recommended treatments, including Capstar, a pill that effectively kills fleas on pets for 24 hours.

Biospot and Hartz brand topical applications are cheaper but worthless and potentially harmful to cats. The Hartz product left persistent wounds on my cat’s neck. Even after eight years, my cat has bald spots and scars from the Hartz application.

Adams Plus. Considered less toxic and safer for puppies and cats, Adams, which also comes in a water-based spray, is supposed to suppress eggs. It’s about as effective as astringent sprays.

Sevin dust. This works, but it’s potentially lethal. Agricultural-strength products are effective on lawns, and may be mixed in water. A 5 percent version available at most garden stores can be poured in a stocking with the open end tied off. Gently pat the duster on your pet, but away from its face. Apply Sevin in corners where fleas nest, but do not broadcast this indoors, and wear a mask when applying it outdoors.

Professional Pest Control. For about $150, a pest service will treat a home with industrial-strength flea killer and growth inhibitor. The day prior to treatment, give pets Capstar. After the treatment, vacuum the house thoroughly, and clean all surfaces and bedding areas.

Written by Mary Helen Yarborough

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