Kelsta Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 OK we have a problem. We've just moved into a new house a week ago, and we have fleas. We don't really know how to treat for fleas as all the usual methods like flea bombs or getting a professional in to fumigate would kill the fish. Has anyone had this problem before, and what did you do? Thanks! :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsweet Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Cover you tanks? We bombed a rental after we moved in and i just got a drop sheet from the red shed- cost about 1.50, covered the tank and taped it tight. Failing that you can buy frontline spray and dose you carpets that way. Cost more than a bomb tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsta Posted March 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Yeah, I was thinking the same thing - just get some thin plastic and tape it up really tight so it's all sealed off. Have you ever used the Frontline spray? I wonder if it would be as effective as bombing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsta Posted March 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 How long did you have to wait before uncovering the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 someone suggested on a similar thread to cover the tank well (but not perfectly...) and put an airpump in there. The air pump provides pressure so even if your cover leaks, it can only leak outward, not into the tank. Of course the pump needs to be OUTSIDE the house with a really long bit of airline tubing into the tank. You would leave the cover on until you are completely sure everything is settled an the house is well aired out. Technically you could leave it on for a couple of weeks no problem (fish can usually go a couple of weeks without food) so there would be no urgency in taking it off. I would look at getting some kind of carpet powder or commercial cleaning, don't like the idea of all those chemicals in the air and falling down on everything... The fleas would only be in the carpet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Fleas live in all material, including couches, beds etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsta Posted March 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Yes, I thought actually after a few differetn bits of advice from different sources that carpet pray would be the way to go. You're right - that's where they are so why fumigate? Also, that way I won't have to leave the tank sealed off for so long. My babies might survive without food, but they would get very grumpy indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsta Posted March 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Haha! yeah, "praying" to the carpet would be the way to go... oops, I'm rather rushed today... :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Oh Carpet, which art on floorboards, Hallowed by Thy pile Thy laying done Thy vacuuming won, on stairs as it is on floors. Bear us this our daily tread, And forgive us these our aquarium spills, as we forgive those who spill against us. Lead us not into lino, But deliver us from fleas. For the floors are Thy domain, the boards and the underlay, For ever and ever. Amen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsta Posted March 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 That was absolutely fantastic! It just made me laugh out loud and made my day - thank you :bounce: And I was having a crap day but it's taken a turn for the better... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 :lol: :lol: :lol: Thank you Stella 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jn Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Can fleas live without a host? You can buy powders/non-aeresol sprays I think to treat areas individually. Try a pet store or do a search online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Can fleas live without a host? You can buy powders/non-aeresol sprays I think to treat areas individually. Try a pet store or do a search online. I'm pretty sure fleas can live with-out a host for a wee while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsta Posted March 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Yes, flea EGGS can live dormant in your carpet for months if they are undisturbed. Once you disturb them (by moving furniture around or walking over that area of carpet) they hatch and go looking for a host. I'm not sure how long live fleas live without a host, but I'm guessing humans could be a host? We have blood, so I don't see why not? I'll check out the pet stores and vets, but my mum said she got a great product from Farmlands for her carpet. Don't really want to drive to Otaki though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 I think it could be best to bomb the place, cover the tanks up good, leave 24 hours to settle. Otherwise you may have an on-goin flea problem just doing "areas" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsta Posted March 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 You could be right - do it good and proper the first time. But we've only been there a week and I don't think the fleas have spread to the beds, sofa etc yet. Well, I'm hoping anyway! I would be happy to bomb, but hubby is a bit more paranoid about the fish and wants to try carpet spray first... :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 u can get this flea powder stuff (supermarket) which you apply then vacume, not sure how affective it is but makes the house smell nice or nicer anyway, and the dogs lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Fleas can feed off humans but only if they have to. They prefer dogs and cats. There used to be a human flea, much bigger, but I think it got extinct as (most of us ) lost our body hair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Fleas can feed off humans but only if they have to. They prefer dogs and cats. There used to be a human flea, much bigger, but I think it got extinct as (most of us ) lost our body hair. Eww Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsta Posted March 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 haha, that is gross. I think a spray would be more effective as it's more likely to penetrate the carpet pile than a powder. I wonder if the spray will kill the eggs/larvae as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsweet Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Frontline works well, but i have only used it on the dogs bedding, not a large area like a house. I agree to do it right the first time. Saves mucking round later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsta Posted March 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 I've just talked to the vet and they're recommended Indoor X (not sure of spelling?) and they say it kills the eggs as well as the fleas, but not the pupae stage so you have to do it more than once if you have a real problem. $20 a bottle and one bottle does 40 sqaure metres. Will pick some up on the way home and try it tonight! Perhaps I'll pray to the carpet too just for good measure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becc4 Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 I have used the powder which you can get from the supermarket - one of the other posters was right in saying it smelt nice...I am unsure how effective it was because I moved out of the house. In this new place I have had to bomb, used 2 cans which did a smallish 3 bedroom house. Was very effective. I just gladwrapped the tanks, and then threw over some blankets. Aired the house out for about an hour before I came back into the house, then just waited overn ight for the tanks. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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