Hi Every summer the fleas return, hitching a ride indoors on your unsuspecting pet. Try these non-toxic ways to take back your home from those little bloodsuckers.
Steps: 1. Vacuum all carpets and furniture at least twice a week, even before you spot a flea. Physical removal of the eggs, larvae and adult insects is the safest way to keep flea populations under control. 2. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas, such as stairs and those places where your pet spends a lot of time - for example, next to the bed or under a favourite chair. 3. Empty, dispose of, or seal off the vacuum bag every time you vacuum. Adult fleas can easily crawl back out. 4. Wash area rugs and floor mats regularly with hot water or in the washing machine. Dry each thoroughly to avoid creating a perfectly humid breeding ground for the prolific bugs. 5. Make your own flea remedy by mixing 3 c. diatomaceous earth (DE) for every 1/2 c. boric acid. Sprinkle the powder lightly, yet thoroughly over carpet, under beds and in closets while wearing a safety mask to avoid inhaling the dust. With a broom, work the granules deeply into the carpet. Vacuum after two days. 6. Try an alternative recipe using eight parts Borax cleaning powder to one part table salt. Follow the above procedure, except you should vacuum after one week. These powders work by drying out the fleas' habitat and dehydrating both the larvae and adults. 7. Sprinkle DE in pet runs and shady areas in the yard where pets frequent to keep outdoor populations down. Fleas can only survive in moist, shady areas, so there is no need to apply the powder in places hit by direct sunlight. 8. Introduce the beneficial nematode Steinernema carpocapsa to your yard by using a spray available for purchase at your garden store or online. These tiny parasitic worms feed on and destroy flea larvae. Again spray only in shady areas. Reapply if further infestation occurs. Tips: To avoid frequent reinfestation, both home and pets must be treated simultaneously. Start your pet on a natural flea control program now. Warnings: Flea bombs and house sprays with the natural toxin pyrethrin do exist. When used properly they are considered safe and effective, but these products are toxic and should be used only as a last resort. Although not poisonous, the powders should not be applied while pets or infants are present, nor should small children be allowed to play on the carpets until after the residual dust has been vacuumed up. Extra caution should always be applied when using any pest control measure in households where children, elderly or persons with a history of respiratory illness reside. TiFill a dishpan with soapy water and place under a desk lamp on the floor. Leave the light on overnight while all others are off. You will see a tremendous amount of fleas in the water in the morning. Use this is in combination with vacuuming. To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following Address: http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
