Answer to this Question
Answer provided 9/20/2004 10:06:19 AM
Q.
i have a basement filled with old clothes and furniture...and i just can`t get rid of the fleas. my dog doesn`t have fleas anymore but everytime we go to the basement we get bitten. we`ve tried everything, bombing, bug spray, hanging the clothes in the sun. Is there a way to stop the fleas completely, but is harmless to us and the environment? i was thinking a natural way, like for example how do animals living in the wild get rid of fleas? can u help us?
A.
Dear Angel,
The problem with getting rid of the fleas in a confined area like that is that you must kill all four stages of the flea. Demize spray will stop the eggs and larvae and adults, but the pupa stage is notoriously difficult to kill. It can stay in the cocoon stage for up to a year without food. When you go down there, the light, body heat, carbon dioxide and vibration tell the pupa that there is a potential meal around and they hatch at that point.
You need to spray the area very well with the Demize. Then repeat the spraying every week or so until they quit hatching out. Vibration, like the beater end of a vacuum cleaner will help a lot to get them active. Also, put Frontline or Advantage on the dog and let them help to activate the last of the pupae :-)
Otherwise, the few times you go there, they will hatch out, but it will spread it out over a much longer time.
Good luck,
Francie, your LifeTips.com Flea Guru
http://www.FleaSmart.com
Fleas Frequently Asked Questions
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