Fleas are inverts, too.

[Rob in Puyallup]

Big problem here. Seems the local flea population has become immune to fipronil. My dog brought some of these nasties home from one of our walks awhile ago. They have since set up house in the apartment. This last Saturday I dosed the pup with imidacloprid. He's still itching, and I'm finding an occasional flea.

Aside from vacuuming does anyone here have any ideas on how to get rid of the carpet population of fleas, something safe to use around my reef tank with shrimp, pods and corals of all sorts?

Thanks for any replies!

 

[Nina51]

one flea can lay a thousand eggs. eggs hatch and those fleas can lay a few thousand more. once you have fleas set up housekeeping in your carpet, about the only thing you can do is get a professional exterminator in.

turning off all pumps and covering your tank with a heavy blanket, i suppose, would keep the nasty stuff out. i believe they use some sort of "bomb" and you will have to be out of your house for like 4 hours or so. at least, that's my understanding. thankfully, i've never had the problem but i know a lot of people who have.

if your dog is still itching, you will need capstar or something equivalent (it's a pill). until you get the fleas in the carpet gone, they will keep reinvesting your dog.

 

[ReefDabs710]

I've heard something about setting up glue traps or duct tape around a blacklight right on the floor, and the light attracts them and the get stuck, but constantly vacuum vacuum vacuum to get eggs.

Never tried this method..just heard.

 

[Calappidae]

I'm sorry but inorder to completely rid a population a flea bomb may be needed.. no matter what you try fleas are going to keep on breeding.. reinvesting the dog, breeding again.. then you'll have a serious problem when there are too many...and you will never be able to get all of the eggs.. you need to rid them all completely... which can be bad news for aquariums... This is my opinion of course.. and I don't work at a vet so you might need to speak with a flea expert rather than fish guys.

 

[Lsufiregal]

Google diatomaceous earth. It is so safe you could get it in your tank and not have a problem. There is even food grade diatomaceous earth if you get hungry while dusting your floors and dog. Lol

 

[Jamey1010]

Go get http://www.walmart.com/ip/20-Mule-Team-Borax-Horizontal-Laundry-Booster-76-oz/11027366 sprinkle it liberally on the carpet,leave it over night and vacuum and never have a problem with fleas again.

 

[dclownd]

My mom used to use salt on the carpet I mean iodized salt and it worked like a charm. Apply liberaly and call me in the morning.

 

[Rob in Puyallup]

Imidacloprid and vacuuming seems to have done the trick.

Thanks for all of your recommendations!

 

[Nina51]

glad you got it solved. because there are life stages, you might not have gotten them all so you may have to repeat treatment.

 

[Rob in Puyallup]

I'll be dropping and vacuuming til the cows come home.