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What About the Pets

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tabi

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Posted 4 years ago
Thu Sep 4 2008 1:56:42
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We have 4 dogs and 2 cats that have full run of the house. Since treating the house a week ago with DE I've redused the number of found BB's by at least 50%. I'm finding quite a few dead ones, one-two very weak live ones, getting bit about everythird night (we're able to kill them before they have a chance to leave the bed).

My question is this, what have you folks done with your household pets? Wouldn't you think that the BB's would crawl onto thier fur and then they could bring the freeloader to my room? Other than locking them out of the bedrooms (which would be almost impossible) any ideas on how to keep them off the animals?
BD1

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Posted 4 years ago
Thu Sep 4 2008 8:44:34
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You could dust the animals with DE, as long as it's the food grade kind. That's what people used DE for before bbs made a comeback. Although I have also read that pets can feel and will kill bbs on their fur.
Itchy-Scratchy

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Posted 4 years ago
Thu Sep 4 2008 9:11:40
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Hi tabi:
I would not sprinkle DE on my pets! DE is extremely dehydrating, which is how it kills BBs. Additionally, DE has an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder and will irritate them. DE is not toxic, but I sure wouldn't want my cat cleaning himself and swallowing large quantities of the stuff.

The good new is that BBs prefer humans. Yes, pets can be bitten, but they'll go for human hosts before they go for Fido. BBs apparently need to position their legs a certain way to start sucking, and this can be cumbersome around fur. Also note that BBs feed, and then leave the host. They're not fleas -- they won't live on your pets. So, a BB will more likely travel to another location on YOU than on your pet.

I would suggest either regularly bathing your animals (which can be quite a chore) or treating them with flea medication. There's no hard evidence that flea medication works, but many of us on the forum have had success with it. My cat suffers from EGC, an autoimmune disorder, and he reacts terribly to any bug bites. His lip will swell up, as will his paws. He hasn't had a reaction to BB bites since we started treating him with Advantage.

Any chance you could call a PCO and get professional help with the problem? DE alone may not solve your problem.
Kate
BD1

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Posted 4 years ago
Thu Sep 4 2008 9:26:29
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Kate, food grade DE was specifically marketed for farm use- mammals and fowl, for treatment of parasites internally (worms) and externally (fleas, ticks, and now, bb's.) People have been putting DE in their pet's/livestock/fowl food bowls and on their fur/feathers/coat since way before frontline and way before bb's made their comeback. YMMV, of course, check with your vet, don't just use DE in lieu of home treament by PCO, etc.
Itchy-Scratchy

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Posted 4 years ago
Thu Sep 4 2008 9:35:38
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Hi BD1 -- really? I had no idea!! I just look at it and think "BB POISON"!

OK, I stand corrected. Thanks for clarifying, BD1.
wirehead

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Posted 4 years ago
Thu Sep 4 2008 10:46:36
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Our house has 4 cats, we're keeping them out of the bedrooms on the recommendation of our PCO. I think it's to keep from spreading them to the rest of the house, since the problem thus far has been confined to the bedrooms.

It doesn't seem that likely that they would carry hitchhikers around, but actually it's the most likely explanation we've come up with for how the bugs could have gotten from one bedroom to the other, so... *shrugs*