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Second Plan:

  • Buy some spray to use on the bed (all natural, no ingredients)
  • Buy some spray to use on the other stuff
    • Probably the Precor spray, but we know that it could be bad for us.
  • Do another comb through Cosmo to

Plan now:

  • Put all of the stuff that's being washed into the washer/dryer on high heat.
  • While that's going, put Cosmo in the tub OR OUTSIDE and use the flea comb to get everything out of him.
    • Have a cup of soapy water nearby to dip the comb in each time after going through the fur.
    • Wash hands afterward.
    • Don't wash him or anything. You're just in the tub to contain the flees.
  • Vacuum the tub when you're done and throw everything you got outside.
  • Vacuum the entire apartment, like completely. Especially around the bed and couch and the big carpet.
  • Bring back in all of the sheets and put them back on, normally.
  • Decide whether to purchase a IGR, and buy it immediately.
    • When the IGR arrives, spray it on the couch, under the bed, and on the bed.

Later:

  • One week later, give Cosmo a normal bath and look for fleas.
  • Continue treating Cosmo with the tick/flea each month.
  • If you're still finding signs
    • Buy and use an IGR if you haven't already
    • Get a more serious method of killing them in your apartment.

Things to buy:

  • Vacuum
    • Dyson has a 30 day return policy. Can return after use. Just return to the place we purchased it.
    • Wirecutter best cannister vacuum: Miele Compact C2 Electro+ (not dyson)
    • $600 (but can use 20% discount for bed bath and beyond, so only $480)
    • The paper coupons don't expire.
    • This is available at Bed Bath and Beyond.
    • It's up to a year return policy, as long as we have the receipt. We can use the vacuum and return it. Anything plugged in has this return policy.
    • They have 17 in stock in San Francisco.
    • Has a wand, and multiple brush heads.
    • Basically it's the one you need to get for high pile.
    • Wirecutter says Dyson is very overpriced, and "Dyson doesn’t work on very-high pile shag carpet at all" compared to their Miele, even the Canister one
    • Costco has:
    • Dyson Big Ball Animal+ Canister Vacuum for $450
    • Miele Classic C1 Electro+ Vacuum for $500 (Wirecutter says these are also good, but it's only a $100 difference).
    • Do we want bags?
    • BOUGHT.
  • Flea Comb
    • BUY AT VILLAGE PET STORE.
  • Flea Shampoo (?)
    • It looks like just using regular shampoo and some lemon juice will be enough, and the risks of using a damaging shampoo are just too high. But some people say that lemons are bad for the dog, so just don't worry about it.
  • IGR (for killing the eggs) or Diatomaceous earth
    • Probably should get IGR, insect growth regulator, because Diatomaceous earth is tough to vacuum.
    • Probably get online, this is good https://www.amazon.com/Precor-IGR-Regulator-Control-ZOE1010/dp/B0043HXV66
    • Will need to get a spray bottle.
    • It's safe, it's just a protein that prevents development. It doesn't even kill them.
    • May be able to do without this. It's an option, but vacuuming might be enough.
  • More trash bags (?)

Fleas:

  • Adult gets on dog. Female lays eggs on dog.
  • Eggs live on dog. They fall off into carpets, etc.
  • Eggs hatch into larvae, which can live in the carpet, eating skin cells and such.
    • Usually takes 1-2 weeks, so should be doing everything during that period of time.
  • Larvae cocoon, and eventually hatch into adult flea, continuing cycle. They hatch during vibrations, heat, and exhaled carbon dioxide.
    • They cocoon after another couple weeks.

Steps:

  • Treat the dog. They're the food source.
    • Use a spot treatment, like the Frontline we have, (this kills all of them), and continues for 30 days.
    • Continue this for at LEAST 3-4 months, if not indefinitely.
    • If you don't want to use chemicals, there are other options.
    • Could use a flea comb to remove the dead fleas from the hair.
    • Be sure to do this in a controlled environment so that the fleas don't jump somewhere else. Like in the bath should be good, but move out any matts.
    • Drown any fleas you find in hot soapy water.
    • Vacuum the area after you're done.
    • Could also get a flea killing/removing shampoo to bathe them in a week later.
    • The soap prevents the fleas from being able to hold onto the hair, and so they'll fall into the water and drown.
    • Flea shampoos kill the fleas on contact. Make sure they kill eggs as well.
    • Keep the dog inside for as much as possible for the next 30 days to prevent re-infestation (might be fine given we have Frontline).
  • Treat the home.
    • Machine wash in HOT soapy water, and dry in HIGH heat.
    • ALL of the things on your bed.
    • All of your pet's bedding.
    • All the things your dog spends time/sleeps on (e.g. couch).
    • After washing, keep them in garbage bags until 12 hours after treating the rest of your house (to prevent bugs from crawling onto them).
    • Vacuum all couches, smooth floors, carpets, and rugs.
    • This will suck up all fleas, larvae, and eggs, and cause any in cocoons to hatch so you can kill them.
    • Seal the bag in a plastic bag and put it in an exterior garbage.
    • KEEP VACUUMING EVERY DAY.
    • Use food grade diatomaceous earth or borax to kill all remaining fleas. (could potentially use an insect growth regulator, IGR, such as Methoprene)
    • Brush the powder into the rug or carpet and furniture.
    • Don't vacuum for a week.
    • Things will emerge and then die when exposed to this stuff when they hatch a couple of weeks later.
    • After a couple weeks, you can vacuum again.
    • DO NOT USE REGULAR VACUUM FILTER WITH DIATOMACEOUS EARTH.
    • Looks like Borax is recommended by PETA.
    • Do this process once, THEN DO IT AGAIN 1 MONTH LATER.

Sources:

Tara's requests:

  • Figure out dyson return policy, free return after 30 days.
    • Yes, 30 days. Should call and ask.
    • 30 days of any canister and vacuum. You can use it as much as you want. Just return it to the place we purchased.
  • Look up best canister vacuums
  • Look up dyson canister vacuum that is not cordless and check reviews
  • Check what dyson vacuums are sold at Costco