oh NO ! Fleas !!!!

Sounds like they are going to fog the house since you have to leave for 4 hours.  About the stray cats.  Have you called animal control.  I know that in Hillsborough you have the right as a property owner to trap the cats on your property and turn them in.  It probably is the same way in Pinellas.  There also is a group of folks around here that could help.  They have a yahoo group [linkhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/tampa_animals/]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tampa_animals/[/link] .  They are really into the feral cat thing big time and if you post a message that you would be trapping the cats and turning them into AC they probably would jump the get the cats themselves.
 

Steve - how did you find that group in Hillsborough ?   I've done a web search and haven't come up with anything in Pinellas, nor have I found the applicable laws on capturing. The only thing I DID find is that feral cats are considered wild animals in Pinealls and that by law I can't feed them (which I haven't - not that I haven't thought of it !).
 
Prancer had a NEEM based bath tonight and the problem is more extensive then I thought   I pulled about 20 fleas from her, and found a few larve (ICK !), along with about 3 spots of concentrated "dirt".  My poor baby [&o].  But she was SOOOOOOOOOO good in the bath - before this I had been calling the groomer - I'll probably be bathing her myself from now on - or at least for the next few weeks while we get the fleas under control.
 
I STILL can't believe I have fleas !  I hate to compare past and present furbabies but other than the occassion tick from walking in the woods I never had a 6 footed creature to deal with.  

One more comment - on the fogging - that would leave reside everywhere, wouldn't it ??    Thats not the way I'd like to go ideally - the thought of pesticide reside throughout the house scares me - goodness only knows what the long term effects of such exposure are ....

JoAnn.
I checked your laws and it doesn't state anywhere where you can't trap and turn in the animal.  Of course you would have to call AC to be sure.  I also checked the laws and cats are considered non-native and can't be released or fed (they really aren't classified as 'wild animals')  I saw the flier that states that they probably are wild but by the law they are still considered non-native or feral. 

I found out about this group when I was investigating the No More Homeless Pets organization for our dog training club.  They cover the entire Tampa Bay area not just Tampa proper. 

Don't worry fleas and ticks are a part of life down here.  Everyone I know has problems every once and awhile.  An application of Advantage will go a long way in starting to solve your problem.  Just remember you need to treat the dog, and his environment both inside and outside.

 
Yes fogging leaves residues and you have to insure that food items and implements are properly covered and protected.  That is why I like the carpet spray.  I can do just one portion of the house with the dogs in a different area.  After it dries and I vacuum they can be let out and I can do another area. 

ORIGINAL: JoAnnDe

Prancer had a NEEM based bath tonight...

I'm really sorry to hear that you're having a hard time with fleas. I just hate those icky little critters! Please let me know how the Neem works out. That's what I've been planning to use this spring for flea prevention because I don't like using chemicals.

Here's what I was planning to use and it might be really good for Prancer. It's a set with a shampoo, conditioner, ear cleaner, AND spray. You spray the dog before they go outside and it's supposed to repel insects.

http://www.botanicaldog.com/products.php?cat=7

Steve - I wrote to them about the cats, thanks for that.    And thanks for the research on trapping - I couldn't find a specific reference anywhere on the Pinellas County site and it was driving me bonkers.
 
The NEEM bath sure did smell nice, but there were still a couple of the critters that made it through the bath !  They were easy to find when she was wet, so I removed them manually.  But I found another one on her today (after her morning potty break) - and the little bugger jumped off her and bit me !
 
I wonder if there's a powder I can use on hardwood floors - I'd rather go that route since I"m not very keen on having a pesticide residue throughout the house.   Maybe I'll call the Do It Yourself Pest Control company today and see what they have to offer.

Ask about the toxicity of what they recommend.  The boric acid I mentioned earlier is on the same level as table salt - eat enough of it it can kill but most people cannot ingest that much in one sitting. 

Also, don't mix chemicals on dogs.  If they are on Frontline, no flea shampoo - use regular shampoo.  If you leave the dog covered in suds in the tub for 5-10 minutes, the fleas will die. 
Most problems come from reinfestation from cracks in floors, carpet, furniture and bedding, so - YES - the beds and overstuffed chairs need to be cleaned.  Remember, too, when you are vacuuming, to get rid of the bag right away.  The get sucked up, but they don't die...[:'(]

She's on Frontline and I used a NEEM based shampoo - I hope that was ok since NEEM isn't technically a pesticide.     Then there's the Critter Oil ([linkhttp://shop.robbinspetcare.com/dogs/critteroil.html]http://shop.robbinspetcare.com/dogs/critteroil.html[/link]) which I've been using also.  Is this dangerous in combo ?? 
 
I"ve been reading about the toxicity of the pesticide the pest control company would use.   They're toxic to aquatic life.  I suspect the toxicity disipates once they are dried (probably the reason that I'd need to leave the house for 4 hrs).
I was also looking at FleaBusters which uses a borate compound.  The guarantee is 1 year for carpeted houses but only 6 months for homes without carpet, which makes me wonder if it will really work.
They also sell nematods for outside. 
 
On the cats issue - I wrote to one of the cat rescue orgs and they told me you can't rehome a stray cat - which seems ridiculous !   They suggested that I trap the cats , spay / neuter, get lukemia and rabies shots for them and feed them !   I have nothing against cats per-se but I'm not keen to have a "colony" (their word) of cats in the yard.   Next step is to call the local shelter and see if they have any suggestions.
 
We've also decided to remove all the shrubs from the side of the house - that alone may be enough to discourage the cats from staying.  Its probably also the area where the fleas are concentrated (lots of dead leaves under those shrubs), so once the shrubs and debris are removed I'll treat the outside professionally (we have to wait until next weekend to do the work).  In the meantime I'll see if I can find a boric acid based product to put down to keep them at bay to some degree.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice and support.  Keep the suggestions coming please.

I will be interested to see if the SPCA gives you any help as they don't accept healthy strays.  Someone in your neighborhood has to be feeding these cats.  If you can find them you could remind them that they are responsible for the cats and you don't want them on your property.  Allowing cats to run loose is illegal as is feeding strays.  I am suprised that the the cat rescue folks wouldn't help you. But they encourage these cat "colonies" even though it is illegal in our area.  Keep working on it you will get a handle on the fleas.

Just a quick update:
* haven't found many fleas on Prancer the past day or two (maybe 2 or 3 per day - its more than enough but at least the population seems to be going down - perhaps it just takes that long for the Frontline Plus to work ??).
* Laundry and vacuuming duties continue fast and furious
* Yard work will begin this weekend, to remove the cats favorite hiding places.
* NO rescue org I contacted would assist me !  seems stray cats are a no-no unless they are kittens or are obviously abandoned pets - they need to show obvious signs of friendliness.  The local shelter was a no-go also - they sent me to animal control.
* I'm going to try and find the nematods for the yard.  While I'm at it I'm going to see if there's a species of nematod that will eat fire ants - I'm allergic to them and hate putting out those fire ant pesticides to get rid of them.

ETA:   I'm going with FleaBusters, inside and out.  They use a borate based powder indoors (no need to leave the house) and nematodes outside.  They offer a 6 month guarantee indoors (because I have all hardwood floors - if I had carpet the guanatee would be a year).   No guarantee outdoors but I've heard that the nematodes really work.   I'll also be putting a broadcast pesticide outdoors in the meantime since FleaBusters is booked for next 3 weeks !   I'm gonna be going through vacuum bags like CRAZY !

Sounds like you are getting this under control.  Isn't it interesting that "rescue" organizations are very specific on what they want to rescue. 
 
Found this article on nematode use in Florida.  It is from UF.  You might want to read this.
 
[linkhttp://biocontrol.ifas.ufl.edu/ctgysrch/flea_control_by_nematodes.htm]http://biocontrol.ifas.ufl.edu/ctgysrch/flea_control_by_nematodes.htm[/link]
 
 

Isn't it interesting that "rescue" organizations are very specific on what they want to rescue.

They want to rescue animals for which they have reasonable chance of finding homes.  Feral cats don't qualify.
 
I don't know of any rescue group that has the funds to permanently house and feed a large cattery of feral cats.  Just imagine the insurance that they would have to carry!!  Cat bites and scratches can be serious.

Here are a few sites on natural flea & tick control:
[linkhttp://www.holistichealthtools.com/fleas.html]http://www.holistichealthtools.com/fleas.html[/link]
[linkhttp://www.caberfeidh.com/Fleas.htm]http://www.caberfeidh.com/Fleas.htm[/link]
[linkhttp://www.healthypetcorner.com/]http://www.healthypetcorner.com/[/link]
[linkhttp://www.flutterbyearomatics.com/flutterpooch/flea_tick.htm]http://www.flutterbyearomatics.com/flutterpooch/flea_tick.htm[/link]
 [size=2]
NOTE: "natural" = herbs and essential Oils[/size]

I really wish there was a "rescue colony" of cats somewhere - unfortunately there doesn't seem to be, so I hate to do this but I guess I'll have to go with Animal Control.   I haven't gotten the traps yet - I really don't have the heart.  But I need to do whats best "in balance" I guess
 
Janet_Rose - interesting links and it seems I've gotten this right !  The second link actually pretty much recommended the FleaBusters methods.   I'm also going to be getting a bunch of scatter type rugs which they'll treat - the treatment will remain on the rugs alot longer than the hardwood floors and the fleas are more apt to hang out on the rugs.
 
Interesting article on the nematods.  The one thing they were very specific about was that I'd have to water them 3x a week.  Since I use pond water I'm allowed to water 2x a week with my sprinklers.  For the third watering I'm hoping that with rainy season approaching I won't have to stand there with a garden hose for much longer !   I'm also going to be getting a broadcast insecticide to use - since its on the ground it shouldn't affect any beneficial insects, and since its a broadcast I can be selective to where I place it (ie: just around the dog run for the most part to create a 'barrier').
 
I've also made the homemade flea collar out of the Critter Oil (essential oils), and have sprayed some of it around the doorways (another barrier).
 
And I only found ONE flea on her yesterday and couldn't find one yet today.  I'm hoping that's good news and not just that I'm in the middle of a life cycle (with hundreds / thousands of eggs and larvae crawling around).  Time will tell.