Beagle Flea Control

Question
I have a four an a half month old Beagle with a horrible flea problem.  I put her on advantage we are on the second dose and it is not helping at all.  I have put natural flea killer in the back yard.  She is in so much pain bitting her skin till it bleeds.  Is there anything else I can do?

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

Thank you for writing to me about the flea problem.  I have some quick tips and if you need more, let me know.

First, vacuum, vacuum, vacuum.  This sucks up the fleas and eggs and chops them into bits.

Next, quickly purchase Missing Link from J-B Wholesale Pet Supply (google it) and start giving it to your dog every day in her food.

Buy some 20 Mule Team Borax and mix into hot water.  Take the water and generously mop your floors and generously spray deeply into your rugs.  If you can purchase a steamer (I just got one on line at Walmarts) you can also steam the floors.  The heat will kill the fleas.

For the outside, you can use Diatameaous Dust (get the food grade) and sprinkle around the perimeter of your property.  This will kill the fleas that come in contact with it.

Temporarily give your dog some baby benedryl. This will help with the allergic reaction.

Bathe your dog in Dawn dish detergent.  Lather it up and let sit on her for 10 minutes.  Then rinse thoroughly.  Repeat in a few days. This will kill the fleas on her body but not the eggs so you will have to repeat it.  Be sure to use a moisturizer so that she doesn't get dried out.

Give your dog some fish oil capsules in her food.  This will keep her skin in healthy condition.

Switch to a human grade, preferably organic food.  

Keep your lawn mowed down to the shortest possible level.  Fleas don't like sunlight particularly...like ticks, they like to hide in tall grass and bushes.

Let me know if this all helps.  I have had personal experience using this method and it's worked for me.

Regards,
Shelley Davis