Some questions about flea infestation

"Suki" wrote in message
...
We have a flea problem in our house. Can you help us by answering the
following questions so we can combat the problem?:

1. Are there human fleas versus cat/dog fleas, someone told me that
cat/dog
fleas cannot reproduce by biting humans--they need cat/dog blood. Is this
true? If so, how can we tell whether we have human or cat/dog fleas?
Since
we have no pets, I am hoping we have cat/dog fleas and that they will die
out on their own.

2. Is Borax toxic to humans?

3. Once a flea comes in contact with Borax, how long does it take to die?

Thanks in advance.



I had this same problem that I solved by calling a professional
exterminator. Problem solved.

As another poster pointed out, your problem may be caused by wild animals
that have made a home with you. Rats or mice are common, and they have
fleas too. This needs to be checked.

It would probably help to put a flea collar in the vacuum cleaner bag as
well, but this alone won't solve the problem. Even if no animals are
present, the flea eggs will continue to hatch in waves over time.
Professional exterminators know how to deal with this.

Bill

"Suki" wrote in message
...
We have a flea problem in our house. Can you help us by answering the
following questions so we can combat the problem?:

1. Are there human fleas versus cat/dog fleas, someone told me that
cat/dog
fleas cannot reproduce by biting humans--they need cat/dog blood. Is this
true? If so, how can we tell whether we have human or cat/dog fleas?
Since
we have no pets, I am hoping we have cat/dog fleas and that they will die
out on their own.

2. Is Borax toxic to humans?

3. Once a flea comes in contact with Borax, how long does it take to die?

Thanks in advance.



I had this same problem that I solved by calling a professional
exterminator. Problem solved.

As another poster pointed out, your problem may be caused by wild animals
that have made a home with you. Rats or mice are common, and they have
fleas too. This needs to be checked.

It would probably help to put a flea collar in the vacuum cleaner bag as
well, but this alone won't solve the problem. Even if no animals are
present, the flea eggs will continue to hatch in waves over time.
Professional exterminators know how to deal with this.

Bill

From: Lar

I believe the Borax treatment, due to its particle size
will mainly effect the larvae stage where as boric acid
designed for carpet treatments will have smaller
particles that the biting adult will ingest and die from
also. Borate treatments will be a slower mode maybe
taking several days to see results, but can work.

What about diatomaceous earth (food grade) for fleas? I know it's supposed to
work for insect control:

http://www.custommilling.com/Diatomaceous%20Earth.htm

http://www.usaemergencysupply.com/fa...eousearth.html

http://www.groworganic.com/a/item_PM...th50LbBag.html

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

From: Lar

I believe the Borax treatment, due to its particle size
will mainly effect the larvae stage where as boric acid
designed for carpet treatments will have smaller
particles that the biting adult will ingest and die from
also. Borate treatments will be a slower mode maybe
taking several days to see results, but can work.

What about diatomaceous earth (food grade) for fleas? I know it's supposed to
work for insect control:

http://www.custommilling.com/Diatomaceous%20Earth.htm

http://www.usaemergencysupply.com/fa...eousearth.html

http://www.groworganic.com/a/item_PM...th50LbBag.html

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

From: Lar

I believe the Borax treatment, due to its particle size
will mainly effect the larvae stage where as boric acid
designed for carpet treatments will have smaller
particles that the biting adult will ingest and die from
also. Borate treatments will be a slower mode maybe
taking several days to see results, but can work.

What about diatomaceous earth (food grade) for fleas? I know it's supposed to
work for insect control:

http://www.custommilling.com/Diatomaceous%20Earth.htm

http://www.usaemergencysupply.com/fa...eousearth.html

http://www.groworganic.com/a/item_PM...th50LbBag.html

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

In article 893f05f3.0309240739.6288a9b9
@posting.google.com, says...
I have heard that the eggs can last for a
couple of years undisturbed. Frequent vacuuming will help to hatch
the existing flea eggs.


You're thinking of the pupa stage.


--

http://home.comcast.net/~larflu/owl1.jpg

Lar. (to e-mail, get rid of the BUGS!!

In article 893f05f3.0309240739.6288a9b9
@posting.google.com, says...
I have heard that the eggs can last for a
couple of years undisturbed. Frequent vacuuming will help to hatch
the existing flea eggs.


You're thinking of the pupa stage.


--

http://home.comcast.net/~larflu/owl1.jpg

Lar. (to e-mail, get rid of the BUGS!!

In article 893f05f3.0309240739.6288a9b9
@posting.google.com, says...
I have heard that the eggs can last for a
couple of years undisturbed. Frequent vacuuming will help to hatch
the existing flea eggs.


You're thinking of the pupa stage.


--

http://home.comcast.net/~larflu/owl1.jpg

Lar. (to e-mail, get rid of the BUGS!!

"Suki" wrote in message ...
We have a flea problem in our house. Can you help us by answering the
following questions so we can combat the problem?:

1. Are there human fleas versus cat/dog fleas, someone told me that cat/dog
fleas cannot reproduce by biting humans--they need cat/dog blood. Is this
true? If so, how can we tell whether we have human or cat/dog fleas? Since
we have no pets, I am hoping we have cat/dog fleas and that they will die
out on their own.

2. Is Borax toxic to humans?

3. Once a flea comes in contact with Borax, how long does it take to die?

Thanks in advance.

Try this, just as messy, but safer with dust masks:


Diatomaceous earth is a mined mineral product. It is the fossilized
remains of single-celled organisms that lived millions of years ago
(diatoms). Diatomaceous earth works on insects by puncturing their
outer protective layer causing death by dehydration. It comes
formulated alone or with pyrethrum insecticides. Alone, it is
virtually nontoxic to mammals. It is even added to animal feed to
control intestinal parasites and worms. This fossil is the abrasive
found in many types of toothpaste. In the home, it can be applied in
the wall voids, attics and other out-of-the-way spots to kill such
insects as ants, cockroaches and dry wood termites. Sprinkled on
carpets, it will kill fleas. As a barrier around garden beds, it
discourages slugs and snails. Caution: only natural diatomaceous earth
should be used for pest control (not pool grade).

And Nematodes added outside will end the problem, both can be found
online from organic gardening suppliers.


Cheers,

Ned

"Suki" wrote in message ...
We have a flea problem in our house. Can you help us by answering the
following questions so we can combat the problem?:

1. Are there human fleas versus cat/dog fleas, someone told me that cat/dog
fleas cannot reproduce by biting humans--they need cat/dog blood. Is this
true? If so, how can we tell whether we have human or cat/dog fleas? Since
we have no pets, I am hoping we have cat/dog fleas and that they will die
out on their own.

2. Is Borax toxic to humans?

3. Once a flea comes in contact with Borax, how long does it take to die?

Thanks in advance.

Try this, just as messy, but safer with dust masks:


Diatomaceous earth is a mined mineral product. It is the fossilized
remains of single-celled organisms that lived millions of years ago
(diatoms). Diatomaceous earth works on insects by puncturing their
outer protective layer causing death by dehydration. It comes
formulated alone or with pyrethrum insecticides. Alone, it is
virtually nontoxic to mammals. It is even added to animal feed to
control intestinal parasites and worms. This fossil is the abrasive
found in many types of toothpaste. In the home, it can be applied in
the wall voids, attics and other out-of-the-way spots to kill such
insects as ants, cockroaches and dry wood termites. Sprinkled on
carpets, it will kill fleas. As a barrier around garden beds, it
discourages slugs and snails. Caution: only natural diatomaceous earth
should be used for pest control (not pool grade).

And Nematodes added outside will end the problem, both can be found
online from organic gardening suppliers.


Cheers,

Ned