[Hin]

My dog is pregnant and we are dealing with an outbreak of fleas. My vet said I can continue to use Frontline Plus on her while she is pregnant and nursing. The only problem is that it doesn't seem to be killing the fleas. I still see them and there is a whole lot of scratching. I figured that must mean that our house has a serious infestation but maybe the Frontline Plus just doesn't cut it anymore.

Anyway, I need to know how to rid our house and yard of fleas before the puppies arrive. I've read about several ways to do it, I just don't know which ones are safe to use around a pregnant dog.

I'm also thinking of switching to something besides Frontline Plus. Revolution and Program are supposed to be safe for pregnant and nursing dogs but I have no idea if they are any good.

[Lunareclipse]

We use diatomaceous earth. It is completely holistic and safe for nursing dogs and puppies. Make sure, if you use it, that you get food grade and not the stuff you use in pools.

[Hin]

Thanks so much for the info, Lunareclipse. I was starting to wonder if there was anything I could use to get rid of the fleas.

Lunareclipse, do you use it on your pets as well as the carpets and outdoor areas?

I read one thing saying to use it in the yard but another thing said that if it gets wet it doesn't work so... that seems like it would be pointless. It is very wet outside right now.

[Lunareclipse]

I use it on my pets and I use it in the outdoor kennel. But the kennel has a roof on it, or it did until Mr. Sweaters ripped it off...

Use seven dust on your yard. Wait until your yard dries out though. I haven't been able to get my yard done either because of all of the rain. My yard is a swamp.

We also use it on the floors and carpets. Make sure you get around your baseboards really good also.Take a broom and use it to shove the DE under your baseboards. And we use it heavily where our dogs sleep. You can also put a tablespoon on top of their food and it will take care of internal parasites like tapeworms.

[dralionagogo]

Brewers yeast diluted in water is said to help. I don't remember the exact amounts, but it's something like 1/4 cup brewers yeast to a liter of water. Shake it up in a spray bottle and lightly coat your dog, combing it through when you're done.

There's also a garlic and brewers yeast tablet made for dogs. Both of these work only in repelling fleas, so you have to keep up on them on a regular basis - daily for pills, every few days for spray.

[CorkyMax]

Here are a couple of threads on this subject that were posted a while back that might be helpful:

Natural Flea Control

Natural Flea Remedies

[CorkyMax]

While searching the net for other (unrelated) info I came across this and thought of you: Guide to Dog Flea Control