When Fleas Prevail

Every time we visit someplace with other animals we end up with fleas… Or rather, our dog does.

Without fail.

I don’t know if it’s because of where they live having a heavy flea population or what. I have noticed that apart from visits, even being out in the woods like we are, we rarely see fleas on our property, and I attribute that largely to our use of diotomaceous earth (DE).

Cyd has had fleas since Thanksgiving and as with the last infestation over the summer, the fleas are proving impervious to my efforts to get rid of them. Thankfully, I got frustrated enough to ask God what to do about it. Here’s the cool part- He answered! (He always does if I listen for it.)

How do I prevent fleas, ticks, and other hard bodied insects from taking over my chicken coop and run? DE.

So, if it works outside, why wouldn’t it work inside? Hmm…

So back in July/August after having had the house flea bombed twice to no avail, I sprinkled some on the carpet of my daughter’s room where the infestation had manifested (as if I needed another reason to detest carpet). I let it sit on the carpet for about 8-10 hours and worked it into the fibers by shuffling my feet about in it. Then, I vacuumed it up, and the fleas we’re gone! 

I then carefully applied DE to Cyd’s coat and worked it into her fur down to the skin by brushing it through. By the end of the day, her fleas were gone.

I have used so many methods to try getting rid of fleas:

• Bathing with blue dawn,
• Vegetable oil
• Essential oils- clove, peppermint, lavender, etc.
• Flea collars
• Flea and tick shampoo bath/dips
• Flea drops (numerous brands
• Capstar tablets (which are actually great if you catch the flea issue early)
• Flea and tick preventative tablets (these actually increased the frequency of Cyd’s seizures dramatically, so we don’t give them anymore.)

None of these methods worked like DE. The only problem now is that I’m out. I’m a terrible homesteader- I let myself run out of DE!

So now I’m just biding my time attempting the other methods until the DE ships (I order bulk online to save money.)

I’m just hoping the wintery chill will keep the outdoor population at bay.