We've had an outbreak here too. I don't like to apply the stuff until I absolutely have to - except Ben, who is severly allergic to fleas (of course!). so generally I have to go through some remedial activities to combat an established population.
For the first time year, Frontline hasn't worked for us. I ahve friends who have had trouble with Frontline-resistant fleas for a couple years, but this is the first I've seen it.
I ahve gone to other methods - I've used icky chemicals (Nylar) to knock down the egg and larval population, and I'll be switching to a combo of diatomaceous earth and Program to keep the fleas at bay for the rest of the year.
If you are concerned about the Hartz-type spot ons causing a reaction, be aware that K9 Advantix uses the same ingredient in their product (permethrin). But it's cats that have the worst (and lethal) problem with this ingredient. You cannot use permethrin around cats in any form. I hae a product that is labeled for cattle, that I use, that is cat safe as it is not even in the pyrethroid class. I don't use it on my cat, but I have confidence allowing my cat to wrestle with his canine buddies, with something completely different from that dangerous class of drugs.
If I had a, er, normal lifestyle, I'm sure I could control fleas with DE and Program and dusting the yard with Sevin. I did last year, since it wasn't a bad year for fleas.
Becca Shouse
Maggie and Zhi (queen bees), Ben, Gus, Cord, Rocky, Ted (BCs), Lu and Tully (Maremma flock guardians)
Irena Farm, Semora, NC
