I've got several dogs and cats at home, and we live near fields with tall weeds. Therefore, summer time is a flea nightmare! I've bought the "cheaper" flea/tick remedies from the pet store, but they didn't work too well. Recently, I found my premium flea/tick products (Frontline, Advantix) on eBay.
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Prevention and maintenance are the keys to saving money in many areas. For example: I failed to use the between-the-shoulder-blades flea preventative on my dog this summer.
This remedy works well in my home. I frequently use it just for prevention of fleas.
Frontline Spray is cheaper then buying the individual shoulder application drops. I pay $24 for a bottle and it lasts all summer for my 4 dogs. Here is where I go to shop online for it:
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I'm tired of spending tons of money on those flea killers that come in droppers and you use one a month. They don't work and they are very expensive. Does anyone have any idea how to get rid of fleas without spending tons of money?
I know they're expensive, but I've found that only Frontline or Advantage works for us. I have a dog who's allergic to fleas. One bite and we'll end up at the vet's office and about $150 poorer.
fleas are only one stage of the pest. You must eliminate tape worms in order to get rid of the fleas. Any really effective tape wormer must come from the vet. (Regular wormers will not get tape worms)
I agree with the poster about the Frontline being most effective. the other brands available at discount store just don't do the trick..its like throwing your money out in the yard with the fleas! spend the extra on the better product and you will be pleased. Also treat your yard and keep them under control..so they don't become a problem again.
Put a couple of drops of Dawn dish detergent in the bath water but be sure to rinse well. It should kill the fleas.
I've heard that feeding your dog some garlic will repell fleas as they can't stand it. The smell comes out of their skin.
I used Frontline on my six cats; try to get the discount product from your Humane Society. Nobody has mentioned eucalyptus in the dog bed (cedar shavings?) and around the baseboards. I heard they will jump into a pan of water set on the floor. Flea combs, though effective, are not 100%, especialy for a dog. Grooming is important! A healthy skin will repel fleas on your pet, but then the hungry fleas will go after YOU. What about Avon's skin so soft which is supposed to repel mosquitoes--would it work for fleas? I heard of feeding pets yeast - it might repel the fleas, but again, they'd go after YOU. I don't use Frontline year-round, just in the 3-month height of the season, whenever that might be. Frontline also prevents ticks (Lyme disease) which is important for your health, as ticks can jump from pet to human. That's why I use frontline.
I have posted this many times to various groups. Use approx. 1 tsp. white vinegar to one quart water. Use it in their drinking bowl. I received this tip on line (maybe someday the source wiil identify herself so I can thank her). I don't know why, but it works from the inside out. We have had both dogs and cats. The dogs don't even notice it. The cats don't much care fr it...but the important thing is that IT WORKS!!!
Laine
I use Bio-Spot during the winter months (from Petsmart) and then during the warm months I use Flea, Tick, and Mange dip. You need to buy a gallon sprayer and use it only for the flea dip and nothing else. It works very well and has saved me lots of money. The Bio-Spot works as well as Frontline but costs one-third the price.
I use frontline plus , works great. yes its is expensive at first, but after you get the flees under control well all gone you only have to use it once every three months. i sometimes let my dog go in the winter and dont even use it untill spring. i pay 30 bucks for a threeapplicator pack and that will last at least nine months to a year.
Frontline Plus - hands down! I have 2 rescue Pomeranians, and haven't seen fleas in months (both were infested and miserable when they came to us). I brush my dogs weekly, and will occasionally find a dead tick - they love the woods on walks, and we're in Connecticut.
Put one tablet of Brewer's Yeast in their food daily. You might have to get the fleas under control first, I don't know. But I give my dog one tablet in his food everyday (I get them at Walmart, Sprong Valley brand) and it keeps the fleas away.
VACUUM and vacuum often, including your pets' beds. I also use Frontline Plus for three months, then Advantage for three months and nothing during the winter as it usually stays frozen here for quite a while. I believe the Frontline works best; neither seems to last longer than 3 weeks, but it's still better than a flea-infested pet and the problems that causes for your pets and yourself.
I have tried everything natural, all the tips and none work. You must spend money on flea prevention, or your pets will suffer, that's all there is to it.
I use dawn detergent. I put some around the neck first. Then lather them up and I play with them while they are in tub for 5 minutes or longer. I have 3 dogs and two cats. I also spread peppermint and spearmint in my yard. I do not have a flea/tick problem. I live in KY.
Can I use diluted Hartz flea and tick shampoo and spray it on my dog? Where I give her a bath is too cold and I'm afraid she will catch a cold.
By SHERRY REID from Fort Pierce, FL
Personally I wouldn't do that because of the chemicals in the shampoo that will remain on her instead of being rinsed off. Can't you get her in to your bathtub/shower to give her a bath and then towel dry her well and let her stay inside until she's dry?
Hello,
No, I would not use that mixture. As Deeli said, it will leave a residue on your dog. It will be sticky and also not good for her unless it is rinsed off.
Is there any natural way to get rid of fleas on pets? Does garlic work?
By BigJohn from TN
I like to do research at earthclinic.com and look under the pets tab and put in fleas, or click on the fleas tab.
There are lots of good ideas.
Blessings,
Robyn
Vinegar in the water bowl year round and for extra in the summer a table spoon of garlic mixed in food daily and bandanas soaked in citronella have a old counrty vet who doesnt think the drigs are good for puppies or dogs I thought he was crazy but itworks also keeping your hrass ut as low as the blade will help and spray yard with one of those bottles that hook up to your water hose make sure grass is very short the point of keeping it short is the sun can get to the ground better to help kill fleas and what you spray will get down farther make sure what you buy will kill fleas start with small parts vinger so they will drink it then work your way up to a tea spoon every 20 oz depending upon the bowl size dog or dogs some ppl also use garlic pills
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I was wondering does any one know of a fleas protection that works and doesn't use harmful ingredients?