Help! How to deal with fleas in the yard, house and my dog and cats?

Naomie, I really like your idea a lot and... it fits my budget. Thanks for the warnings about where not to spray. Thanks, I am starting to feel better. You sound really nice! I loved hearing about your grandparents. Thanks for sharing their tip with me!! And luv to your dear dog and pets.

Awe you are too sweet! I have 3 dogs, 3 next door neighbor dogs, 6 cats, a canary and a dragon. All rescues or hand me downs from people that have passed on. No way do I want a flea invasion - could you imagine???? Yikes, we would be sleeping in a tent in the back yard . . . My pleasure, anything to help others if I can. I buy standard vinegar in a pack at Sam's Club ($3.50 ish for 2 gallons) and the cleaning vinegar from a local janitorial supply. Don't stress if you are unable to get the cleaning vinegar, just use the regular stuff, just may need to be applied a bit sooner.

I also use vinegar in place of fabric softener - works great.

Love, hugs and kisses to all your pets too! Happy Easter!

Naomie, you are the sweetest! I wish we were neighbors! Bless you for loving and caring for your friends’ pets. Folks & family members of the departed don’t realize that pets grieve. I had cats all my life, usually 2 at a time. About 4 yrs. ago, I learned about animals’ grief. I had 2 cats, Timothy, a sweet adult male, and he helped me raise a 5-day old tiny rescue kitty that a neighbor dropped off. Luckily I had the kitty powder milk and a bottle, her eyes were closed and her ears were still folded over. The kitty was itty, bitty. She was swimming with her paws. Had a strong desire to live. So I had to put her somewhere to mix the formula. I put a hand towel in a shoe box and snuggled her in, (what I usually did for larger rescue kitties). She went for the corner and started to swim up the side of the box. So, I got an empty copier paper box, put more towels in, and she still was determined to climb up the corner, and I was just amazed, she could get so close to the top, but would tire, and slide down. But she did this over, and over. Timothy, meowed to me: as if to say, “Mom, I will babysit, and you go make the formula”. So, he sat by the side of the box, talked to her, put his paw in the box and gently touched her, and made sure she didn’t go up the sides. Do you know by the next day, she could hang on to the top of the box? But, Timothy, would gently meow talk to her, or nudge her gently before she would get to the top, and this calmed her. A few times he got in the box with her, to reassure her. He was such a gentle cat, and spoke with his beautiful big green eyes to me while I was stirring her formula, as if to say “Don’t worry, I have all of this covered. Might as well make a cup of coffee too.” I giggled and smiled. Such love. I peeked in the box. The baby was content, Timothy sitting proudly in the box, with the baby snuggled, and wrapped under his legs, tucked up close to his tummy. Timmy purred. Every now and then, he touched, nuzzled, licked the baby, he gently touched him with his paw and nose, and softly, meowed to the little one.

So, I finally was ready with the tiny bottle, and a towel. She took to the bottle fine, and I learned as I went. But, Timothy kept watch over the baby, we named her Cisey Marie (for Sissy). Turned out she has extra digits on her paws 6 on each paw, looks like she has thumbs on the front paws. She could hold her bottle after the lst week. Anyway, Timothy taught her everything about being a cat, and how to take care of me.

When Cisey was 2 yrs. old, Timothy passed away unexpectedly in the middle of the night. Cisey was yodeling this loud mournful sound that I had never heard, and I sat up in bed with a jolt. (Because usually both cats slept with me in bed.) I immediately knew something was wrong with Timothy.

I found him. Cisey was yodeling, howling. She did not understand. So I removed Timothy, and made his arrangements. Cisey disappeared under the guestroom bed. She would not come out. I could not see her under the bed, because she is all black. She stayed under the bed at least 4 weeks. I could not coax her out, with reasssurances, tuna, treats. I googled grief, no advice there. I think she came out during the day when I went to work. She didn’t eat hardly anything. Hissed at me, did not want me to touch her. It was like her body ached. I would sit on the floor and not try to get her out, but just be there with her, talk to her. Just me quiet with her. Then gradually I would hear her come out at night, and hear her eat, or walking around. A few times she came to my bed, but was gone by morning, back under the bed.

She still really did not want much petting, and definitely did not want to be picked up. I prayed about her. She still was a bit hissy at times. I couldn’t read her. So, I let her tell me. I remembered she did like cat treats, and I had not tried that. So, I would put some under the bed with her food and water. But, she wouldn’t come up to eat them. So, I would just leave them for her. And she would always eat them sometime after I left. So, I would leave them at the edge of the bed. She would eat those. Late at night, I would hear her talking and meowing outside my dog’s room and he would talk to her through the door, and push his toy under the toy to her. She would lean on his door, and sleep there at night. I let her be.

Now it was about 2 months after Timothy passed, and I just prayed and realized I had to trust God to lead me on how to help Cisey. I know cats communicate quietly with each other. I would watch my cats over the years. One of my vets had told me that cats communicate telepathically. He explained by thoughts, feelings, and their senses. My vet said, the reasons cats go run and hide when it’s time to go to the vet, is because humans think in pictures, visualizing the ride to the vet, putting the cat in the carrier, seeing the vet, etc. (I started not thinking about the trip to the vet, when it was time to take them, and my gosh, he was right, it was way easier to put them in the carriers, and no yodels of complaints!)

So, I just stopped thinking of Cisey under that dark bed, mourning Timothy, and thought of her cuddling in my lap, letting me hold her, her jumping to look out the window at the garbage trucks, and watching the birds, squirrels at the windows, and her giving me the approval on what I was putting in the dogs bowl. It was slow but she chose her pace. I sensed she needed to feel safe, did not want to be touched, and actually physically hurt from her grief, maybe from tensing up. So, I got out her soft baby blankets, found things that smelled like Timothy (fussed at myself for not thinking of that sooner), this seemed to make her eyes open wider and I saw a look of acknowledgement, and she loved and caressed his things. So, I put a trail out of Timothy’s things to coax her more throughout the home. And a few days later, I got up and saw her laying contented in the middle of the living room floor.

So, Naomie, I have great love and respect for the love your are giving these animals.

Hope my note is not too long. Gosh it is really long!!!

Just about 2 months after Timothy passed, a neighbor next door rescued a small kitten about 3-4 weeks old, and of course I was called, and her name is Savannah June, and when she saw Cisey Marie she had to follow Cisey everywhere. Savannah thought my large dog was her mom, and gets along adores my albino pit bull, Barley, he has green eyes, a red nose and gets sunburned. It took Cisey several years to get her personality back. Now, she is talking, meowing, telling me things, cuddles, puts up with kisses from Barley, and sometimes puts her suffed animal under his door. She puts up with Savannah June who can be a bit bossy, but Savannah has her playing tag and chase on cooler days, and Cisey is happy once again.

Love, and blessings to you and Happy Easter!

Susan

I use an IG regulator that prevent the fleas from reproducing in my spray bottle with another product from the feed store. I don't have the package any more but its has 4 packets of a white powder substance. It's safe to use in the house also.

Oh Susan! You are too sweet! I wish we were neighbors too. You live in a cool town with a bunch of nice people - Texas is a great place!

Your pets names are awesome and that is such a heartwarming story. Barley the albino pit bull, can you post a photo? I bet he is the cutest thing ever! How about a photo of all the babies?

It is incredible what we do and go through for the sake of our pets, who, to me, are family. Your story needs to be published somewhere on a rescue site or at least at your local rescue chapters. People need to know all these wonderful stories and what to do if they are in the same situation. I have 2 girlfriends that foster, one does dogs and the other does cats. It takes an amazing, compasionate person to do this work. Pets do grieve yet many do not understand this. Your story can enlighten others to help them over the rough patch with patience and undying love and affection.

So sorry for the loss of Timothy, and we know he is in a better place watching over us. And sooo glad that with your love, Cicey Marie found herself again. As you said, it took a long time, and worth every minute looking after her when she was so grief stricken.

Not to get off topic, but one of my dogs has horrible separation anxiety and every time I visit my girlfriend in North Carolina, my ex hubster who cares for my brood in my absence, says she is totally depressed while I am gone. He says she sits by the door waiting for me to return and will not engage in any way with anyone. When I was in the hospital she was so bad, he considered taking her to the vet. We solved it by having her brought to the back lot of the hospital parking lot every night so she could see me and sit in my lap for a bit. She barely eats, sleeps and waits . . . Pets do feel and can have a special bond.

Great to hear everything is in ship shape at your home now and all is well. Hope you and your family enjoyed a fun and peaceful Easter Sunday. 🐇🐣

Love to you and yours . . . 🕊

Good to know! I have used something like it about 30 years ago. Technology has changed drastically. Will look into this. Many thanks! 😊

Naomie, I am so glad you didn't think I was crae crae for writing such a long comment. I appreciate your note so much! You really understand, and thanks for your kind, thoughtful words, that touched my heart in that special place, and brought a few tears to my eyes. I will think about sharing Timothy's story, as of course I have more stories of pets. They are all so special in their different ways.

Thanks! Hope your Easter was fun too! Barley had to turn his back and not peek, while Mom hid animal crackers in the backyard. It was fun, and he always makes me laugh and giggle! When he has his ears down, (they were never cut), they are big and floppy ears. I call him my Little Lamb, he has such a sweet, innocent look. His tail was never docked, and it is long, and strong, and he can beat you with that! But, he has learned to control his tail, if I said ow! Both Kitties, watched the hunt from the window, and then I hid treats under a small towel for the girls. They were quick to find them!

I am sure you have heard of the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan. I just wonder if some of his ideas could help with your dog's with separation anxiety. Maybe you could even email him? Google him and see what you come up with. I am sure you have tried things with your pooch. Does he understand that you will come back from short visits? (like grocery shopping, or being gone for a few hours?) Bless his little heart.

I'll have to have my neighbor show me how to post my fur babies photos. I haven't done any of that!

I hope we can stay in touch. It is a joy talking to you, and sharing.

Luv, you are a treasure! Give all your babies, extra pets, hellos, and kisses from me!

Forgot to add that frontline has been around so long that the fleas in my area have adapted to it. They make advantix for cats as well. Good luck!

Susan ... and Patty ... I'm in Virginia with seven dogs and a housecat on six acres of old abandoned farmland surrounded by woods, fleas and ticks in abundance. We have big dogs, medium dogs, little dogs, sensitive dogs and dogs who just could not care less. The Seresto collars put us back lotsa bucks, but I have never seen a tick or flea on my dogs or in my house (other than on the wildflowers I bring in spring, summer and fall!) Best product I've come across and well worth the expense!

Ophs forgot I use a flea trap in each room, it has a green light and a sticky pad they get stuck on...... also gets nasty spiders too. Amazing how many dead bugs on them in a short time.

Sharon, thanks for your thoughtful, awesome and helpful response. You gave me ideas to try that I had not thought of. Many, many thanks!

Sharon, thanks! I never heard of a flea trip with a light before. I will look for them. I appreciate so much all of your tips!!!!