OT - flee problem near aquarium!

[Playdope]

Hey all... hope you can help, because this situation has not been pleasant.

We lent out vacuum to a friend, who has several pets. Unfortunately, we think because the bag was never changed in the vacuum.... we now have some flees hopping around our apartment. I have a nice collection of bits on my lower legs near my feet, and after just seeing a small black thing crawling on the kitchen counter.... I'm guessing they're the culprit. I now found out that they were having some flee issues with their pets! <sigh>

Anyway, if anyone knows of a way that I could get rid of these things, without using some gas bomb that could harm the reef... I'd really appreciate it. The apartment is a small one bedroom, and the gas killers would definitely not be smart. Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

Do a search here at RDO... I've seen this topic before here. I don't remember the specifics, but they had some good ideas.

~wings~

 

[Anonymous]

Jon,
The easiest way to check for fleas is to wear white socks! If you find that you do have fleas, just vaccum frequently. It's easy and a fast way to get rid of them.

My mom n law came to visit with her pooch, after visiting someone else.
when she left I noticed that I had fleas in the house. So I just vaced twice a day for a week. No more fleas and very clean carpet!

 

[Anonymous]

If you sprinkle the carpet with boric acid (sold as laundry aid, under the name "20 mule team") , work it into the carpet well, and let it sit for a half day, then vacuum thoroughly and discard the vacuum bag in an outside trashcan.

 

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, be sure and ditch the vaccum bag outside like Laura suggests!

 

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, be sure and ditch the vaccum bag outside like Laura suggests!

Get rid of it before the fleas flee.

 

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, be sure and ditch the vaccum bag outside like Laura suggests!

Get rid of it before the fleas flee.

Flea Fly Flow Flum.....(giggle)


Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[Anonymous]

Fleas will flee toward light.

Set out a shallow pan of water with a desklight or booklight over it at night. The Fleas will jump at the light, fall into the water and drown.

 

[Anonymous]

There's also some kind of plug in sticky trap. Wish I could remember the name.

Hey, the borax works on ants and roaches too.

 

[Anonymous]

Fleas will flee toward light.

Set out a shallow pan of water with a desklight or booklight over it at night. The Fleas will jump at the light, fall into the water and drown.

I think the more accurate statement is that they are thermotaxis, that is, they seek heat. (warm body->mammal with lots of blood to suck)

 

[Anonymous]

Fleas will flee toward light.

Set out a shallow pan of water with a desklight or booklight over it at night. The Fleas will jump at the light, fall into the water and drown.

that is, they seek heat. (warm body->mammal with lots of blood to suck)

You are absolutely 100% correct, I was just trying to make a (lame) joke out of it. The light bulb will attact them from a significant distance too (because of the heat, not the light). Thank you for the correction.

 

[Playdope]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I put a candle in a shallow dish.. and I have it going right now.. sitting on the floor. I'm watching it, and will not leave it burning when I leave the apt. or sleep.

How long should this technique take. I'd like to avoid the borax cleanings if possible - they seem a bit messy... and I dont have other pets running around, so the candle and water shouldn't be dangerous if I'm carefull.

 

[Anonymous]

Avon's "Skin So Soft" (or something along those lines) will also cause fleas to cringe. Also eucalyptis leaves are said to ward them off. I used to have a dog long ago with my parents and I became hyper sensitive to fleas it makes me cringe and itch when I think about them today. We went on vacation once left the dog at my aunts house, and came back in 3 days and all the fleas in the carpet were HUNGRY! By the end of the day I counted over 100 bites on both legs, they were jumping all over us, even my dad who never got bit was getting eatten like crazy. We nuked the house, and me and my mom took the dog in the yard to wash with flea soap and powder, and it was so gross the fleas just came pouring out of the dog like literally out of no where, I had a handful of fleas in my hand it was so nasty... *shiver* From that day on fleas dont stand a chance as my goal in life is genocide of the entire species.