>       The biggest problem is flea bombing the house. Have to move the
>whole crew outside for a few hours. Then clean the house good. The
>birds love the sunshine and gardenhose shower on those days. In short I
>       would not worry to much about the fleas.
Brian;
I recently got a dog, the first I've had since I got into birds (always
had two at a time as a kid, thought). I was REALLY worried about the
flea potential, because I firmly refuse to use anything that comes in a
spray can in my home. Before I got Tesla, I did a lot of research, and
found several bird-safe products that seem to have helped a LOT with the
fleas.
First, I put a product called Bio Flea-Halt in the yard. It's small
nematodes (worms) which actually eat flea larva in the dirt. Keeps the
larva from growing up and reproducing, thus less adult fleas to get on
the dog and come indoors.
Second, I got a spritz called Ovitrol. It's made up of Pyrethrins, and
Precor, an insect growth regulator hormone. It kills adult fleas, and
keeps larva and/or eggs from developing into adults. This is for use ON
the dog, and for any dog bedding/carpet/furniture where the fleas might
go if they got indoors. Pyrethrins are a natural insecticide made from
chrysanthemums, and this chemical is safe to use around birds. The
Precor doesn't affect anything but bugs; it's a hormone.
Third, I just found another insect growth regulator for the yard, called
Torus. This keeps ALL juvenile bugs from developing in the yard. I hear
it's also great for fire ants (Harry and Fran, are you listening?)
Fourth, I got a simple flea comb, and I check the dog after he's been
outside. Combing the fleas off him before he brings'em in keeps them
out of my furniture!
A few friends have also put their dogs on "The Program", which is a
monthly pill to keep adult fleas from reproducing.
All this, while a bit more work, is a heck of a lot safer for the
household birds than flea bombing! I hope that some of these suggestions
might help.
--Kathy
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