How to Get Rid of Sand Fleas
Oh, the joys of spring! The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, the sand fleas are hatching. Fleas are common little pests; they invite themselves in and overstay their welcome. They hop around the living room, snuggle into the furniture and will chew your ankles to pieces. It becomes personal when they invade your bed. Sometimes you spend weeks battling the little beasts before finding a solution.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Strip the linens from your beds and wash them thoroughly with a lot of soap and water. Do the same with any throws or blankets around your home.
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2
Buy a spray pesticide that is safe for your home and generously spray your mattresses and any furniture in which the sand fleas may be hiding. You may want to do this every few days until you are sure they have departed for good.
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3
Purchase Seven Dust pesticide (not Seven Powder). This is available in most hardware stores and at large discount retailers and is safe for gardens, animals and humans--but not fleas! After various attempts with other pesticides, this was the only thing that worked. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)--a group which reports to the Environmental Protection Agency--approves of the use of this pesticide.
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4
Sprinkle Seven Dust over your dog. Make sure you cover the entire animal. Do this daily until the infestation disappears.
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5
Scatter Seven Dust generously over the entire area in the yard that your dog comes in contact with. Focus on any areas that consist of sand and/or dirt.
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6
Cover all carpeted areas with Seven Dust. Let it stand for a minimum of 3 to 8 hours. Vacuum thoroughly. The fleas lay their eggs in the carpet, so it is very important to vacuum often and rigorously every day.
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7
Apply again as necessary. This treatment usually takes care of the problem with the first application, but repeat if the problem persists. Sprinkle outside area periodically to ensure that the fleas do not return.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Remember to check with your veterinarian before using any pesticide on your animals.
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Comments
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Well when I moved to the jersey shore quite a while ago , when I had dog's I told my vet that my dog's had sand fleas. This is before the new medications you rub on their neck. He told me that's like an old wives tale the fleas on the beach are the same fleas that are in grass and weeds.
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Well, I don't live in Florida, but I KNOW they exist. I have sprayed my house probably a hundred times with permethrin and it has not done anything. Now I will try the Amonia and seven dust, and anything else that might help cuz they are driving me NUTS! Thanx for the tip Frank.
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If you say there is no such thing as a sand flea you 100% WRONG! In Florida they are also known as no-see-em's... Sevendust works on them when it's dry... But after a few good rains they move to hire ground (ie; patios, screen rooms etc...) A rinse with a lite amonia wash works well. Stinks but works. There are other sprays by Ortho & Spectricide (sp?)
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medicalgeek
May 10, 2010
@ vanesscordes Actually, there is a separate species of "Sand Flea"; it is properly known as Tunga penetrans, while your standard cat and dog fleas are of the species Ctenocephalides. However, you are right in the fact that treatment and control against sand fleas is basically the same as for the cat & dog fleas. -
vanesscordes
Jul 19, 2008
I've found that between Salt in the doorways to keep them from infesting the entire house, DE in cracks and crevices, Sargents Gold Home spray wherever I see fleas whenever I see them, Petcor on the furniture every three days, and alcohol on the carpets every three days my problem is slowly but surely vanishing. The best way to monitor your efforts is to use a flea trap at night. Place a night-light no more than a foot above a shallow bowl of water with a bit of dish soap in it. Warm water works best. Turn off all lights in the house over night, and check the results in the morning, as you continue vacuuming, spraying, etc. the number of fleas should diminish. Don't forget to treat your pets! An excellent combination for this is capstar and frontline.
