Flea Preventative - again.....

 So do the girls have fleas?  or are you trying to prevent them?  I'm confused as to why you want to redose at 2 weeks post treatment.

 I've used the Natures Guardian house spray when the girls brought home a large number of fleas from work.  The spray, plus leaving the house for a week (business trip), seemed to knock any infestation out.  I still use it occasionally when the roaches start showing up (we don't use the chemical treatment they spray at our apt. complex so when they spray we get some of the displaced bugs I think).  I've used the stuff to kill various bugs directly as well, so it seems broadly effective.

With the above said, the spray is *very* aromatic - a nice spice cookie type scent, but very very strong.  One spray about 2 feet long will make about 500 sq ft of house smell like spices for about 24 hours.  Way better than regular sprays, but might cause some people issues.
 

It's basically essential oils.  I would not use it on a sensitive dog.  Don't use ANYTHING at Walmart on a sensitive dog (voice of exerience here)   With that said, the NAture's Guardian spray is well worth it.  I use it on my cabinets in my kitchens (they are very old wood).  It makes the whole house smell so nice, and I imagine it bug proofs the kitchen too.  I know I don't have a problem with bugs in the pantry when I use it.  And I do when I don't (like now).

But, be careful with all the liquid products in that line.  The spot-ons will make a grease spot that won't go away for weeks - it smells nice but it will annoy your dog and it doesn't feel nice to pet them (and you have to wash your hands - it's not good to get on your lips).   The spray will literally dissolve latex, and even oil paint.  It will also dissolve some plastics!

Natural doesn't always mean "safe" - LOL. 

We're having terrible problems because both Frontline and Advantage are useless here now.  I've got two dogs that are violently allergic to anything in the "peremeth" family, inlcuding apparently the new lines that have come out.  I just ordered Program, and garlic seems to help - at least, before when I was giving them garlic, I had no problems, and when I quit suddenly we had the fleas again.  Bleah!  I'm taking huge amounts of B and that seems to help too - Ben too - so no health ramifications, thank goodness! 

I was given a sample of an essential oil based spray that is made locally and smells nice, plus it doesn't really make them oily. But you do have to apply it daily. I think one reason that we've been lucky so far is that I haven't been able to walk them so they aren't outside as much. They do get some garlic, maybe that is helping a little as well.

I tried the natural spot treatment with Sophie once.  It was HORRENDOUS.  It smelled soooo strong to us, I can only imagine how it was to a dog's sensitive nose.  Also, it made her fur completely greasy and after two baths was still on her.  To top it off, it didn't even work.  Some essential oils aren't good for dogs, such as rosemary oil, so I'd agree natural doesn't automatically equal safe.

We've used Advantix and just switched to Vectra3D.  We live in a very very high tick area.  Neither of the pups have ever had a reaction to these products, although I know with any pesticide there are risks.

I personally use advantage. I will NOT use advantix on my dog - because of my cats. My newest girl loves the dog, and is constantly licking him, playing with him, snuggling, etc. But even before I had her - I wouldn't use it, just in case. Advantix is highly toxic to cats.

Vectra3D worked well when we were using it at the shelter, and it was cheaper too. I know a few people using the confortis (flea pill), and seem to be having good luck with it, although, I wouldn't be comfortable using it on my dog.

I think Burt's Bees makes something for fleas and ticks, but not sure.

Anyone know if Avon Skin so Soft works?

smilee1079

Anyone know if Avon Skin so Soft works?

I use 1/3 SSS and 2/3 plain cheapy rubbing alcohol, in a spritzer. I use it every walk, because it keeps the mosquitos off! I have had better luck with fleas this summer, though, I'm not sure if my condo treats the grass. It could be coincidence. I figure, unless your dog is super-sensitive, it can't hurt!

That shelter does use promeris, while it works well for the dogs, a lot of cats lost hair on it, and had that strange greasy feel. The vectra3d was a lot better - I would use that if my advantage stopped working well. Confortis is an active flea control, which is why I'm hesitant to use it too, but I guess it's a good alternative for pets with super sentitive skin - which mine do not have, thankfully.

SSS does work well, but you do have to reapply. I've never mixed it with alcohol, so I can't answer that one!

 Do you have to get vectra3d and/or confortis from the vet?  Mine sells nothing but Advantage and Advantix for fleas/ticks.  They are not really into retailing stuff, which is nice.  The other vet near me does retail stuff like crazy - but the prices are crazy!  I once purchased a single Capstar dose from them and it cost $27 (this was almost three years ago, too).  Come to find out I could have purchased two whole dang boxes online for that.  So if they are the only game in town my poor dogs are just going to have to suffer through until the Program kills off the resident population.

I know vectra is only avalible through a licensed vet, not sure about confortis. Vectra is a LOT cheaper at cost price, so I would assume (could be really, really wrong though) that a vet should sell it at a lower price. They are trying to keep that product more in check, so you don't get the knock-offs online like you do with advantage and the others.

I read somewhere that brewer's yeast repels fleas.

 I give Bailey and Max 2 tablets, twice a day. I tell them that they are *vitamins* and they love them. It has been 10 weeks since they had Frontline, and so far they are flea free.

I still use Frontline on Woofie though, because he has severe flea allergies.