fleas!

mattboy · 07/06/2006, 12:48 PM

I'm not sure where to put this, but I figured the general reefkeeping forum is as good a place as any. I've got a little problem with fleas in my house from my delightful frisbee devouring australian shepherd. Obviously, I can't bomb the house with regular flea spray; it says "highly toxic to fish" right on the can. My question is, how can I treat the house for fleas with my reef tank in the living room. An idea I've had is to tightly cover both aquarium and sump with plastic, run the skimmer air intake line outside of the house, and use a liquid spray on the floors and carpet. As is stands, there are no fish in my tank, but a very healthy live rock/sand population, some acro frags, and a few clams. The tank is teeming with amphipods, snails, etc. I've taken a good amount of time to build up the sand/rock fauna and I don't want to kill off everything. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Matt

Mrs.kbmdale · 07/06/2006, 12:59 PM

Actually, your own idea is a very good one. I would also suggest getting some BORAX to help prevent reinfestation. Just sprinke a thin line around any opening to the outside of the house. Vacuum it up once a week and repeat.

Good Luck and Happy Reefing,
Brianna

bubbaOPPD · 07/06/2006, 01:35 PM

Have you tried Frontline or the other brand, I have 2 aussies without any fleas in the house. Frontline I believe sterilizes the fleas and kills the eggs they do have traps that attract the fleas and then zaps them.

mattboy · 07/06/2006, 02:08 PM

Frontline, yup, spraying the yard as well. San Antonio is legendary for fleas.

TWallace · 07/06/2006, 02:58 PM

Advantage is the other brand, very similar to Frontline. I think one is for just fleas, the other is for fleas and ticks. Both are very reliable at eradicating fleas. I'd definetely try that first before resorting to bombing the house. Buy it online though, it's much cheaper than at the vet.

07/06/2006, 12:48 PM	#1
mattboy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: San Antonio Posts: 453	fleas! I'm not sure where to put this, but I figured the general reefkeeping forum is as good a place as any. I've got a little problem with fleas in my house from my delightful frisbee devouring australian shepherd. Obviously, I can't bomb the house with regular flea spray; it says "highly toxic to fish" right on the can. My question is, how can I treat the house for fleas with my reef tank in the living room. An idea I've had is to tightly cover both aquarium and sump with plastic, run the skimmer air intake line outside of the house, and use a liquid spray on the floors and carpet. As is stands, there are no fish in my tank, but a very healthy live rock/sand population, some acro frags, and a few clams. The tank is teeming with amphipods, snails, etc. I've taken a good amount of time to build up the sand/rock fauna and I don't want to kill off everything. Any ideas? Thanks! Matt

07/06/2006, 12:59 PM	#2
Mrs.kbmdale Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pulaski, Tn Posts: 808	Actually, your own idea is a very good one. I would also suggest getting some BORAX to help prevent reinfestation. Just sprinke a thin line around any opening to the outside of the house. Vacuum it up once a week and repeat. Good Luck and Happy Reefing, Brianna __________________ Happpy Reefing (: Brianna :) Live, Love & Laugh like there's no tomorrow, otherwise, you miss today!

07/06/2006, 01:35 PM	#3
bubbaOPPD Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 416	Have you tried Frontline or the other brand, I have 2 aussies without any fleas in the house. Frontline I believe sterilizes the fleas and kills the eggs they do have traps that attract the fleas and then zaps them.

07/06/2006, 02:08 PM	#4
mattboy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: San Antonio Posts: 453	Frontline, yup, spraying the yard as well. San Antonio is legendary for fleas.

07/06/2006, 02:58 PM	#5
TWallace Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,464	Advantage is the other brand, very similar to Frontline. I think one is for just fleas, the other is for fleas and ticks. Both are very reliable at eradicating fleas. I'd definetely try that first before resorting to bombing the house. Buy it online though, it's much cheaper than at the vet.