ASK THE VET

QUESTION:

We have been fighting fleas at our house. we have a 6-year-old cat and a 2-year-old toddler. With the toddler I am afraid to use insecticides in the house. Everyone has assured me that when properly used they are safe. However, I really prefer not to use them. Every night I use a flea comb and carefully go over Mickey our cat. He never has more than four or five, but they are consistently there. I am sure our house is infected. Is there any way I can de-flea the house without using insecticides?

ANSWER:

There are a couple of products that can be used that are not insecticides. One is an old product called 20 Mule Team Borax. This can be sprinkled on carpets, left for a few hours, then vacuumed. This product is safe; however, your cat and toddler should not be allowed to come into direct contact with it. Once it is vacuumed every thing should be okay.

A second product manufactured by a company called Fleabusters is natural and actually less toxic than table salt. This powder is also sprinkled on carpets or hardwood floors, worked in, and then vacuumed. Fleabusters powder has received rave reviews in many parts of the country where it has been used for a year or so. The company guarantees its product for one year. It is fairly new and not readily available every where.

You should be aware that getting fleas under control is a three to six week process regardless of the method used. Good luck.