Fleas….and why we never have them.

Many of you ask me, and I get these questions almost daily… 

‘How do you NOT have fleas on your dogs?” 
“You don’t use topical flea controls and you don’t have fleas?”
My answer has always been…“NO.. Our dogs do not have fleas! 
We show our dogs and we do not want fleas to ever get on our dogs, nor do I want to risk any reactions with flea topicals on my dogs.”

“Why can’t you groom my dog? I only saw one or two fleas on it.”
One flea can make thousands in one night!

My dogs and my grooming clients do not have fleas and appreciate that I take special steps to ensure this as well. I cannot and will not risk that. 

Fleas also cause Tapeworm- Another parasite. 
Just like worms(Internal Parasites), fleas and ticks are External Parasites.
To me, it is not much different than Lice on humans. 

We work very hard to keep our home and yard bug free, but it is worth it!!
I am not sure what product is the actual reason for our flea free home and land. 

I don’t endorse any product mentioned, nor work for any of these companies or get any royalties from them. 

As so many of you ask “how?” I thought this may help. 

Here are the steps we use to ensure we keep them away. 

1. We treat our yard and land. 
We mow our grass cut short often. 
I prefer to use our small hand held grass spreader for the following that are granules or dust products. 
(Make sure you dress appropriately : Dust mask, long sleeves, pants, shoes, gloves, safety goggles may be necessary and not on a windy day!!-PLEASE>> with all pesticides, read and follow the directions!)
What we use and how often: 

* I interchange these 3 products monthly or every other month for any bugs in my yard and flowers. 
1. Ortho Max -make sure it says for fleas too.
2. Sevin- make sure it says for fleas.
3. Cutter’s Bug Free Backyard-use this on your hose. 
With any of these products, it takes a while to do, but it is worth it. 
I start at and under the foundation of our home moving to the edge of the property, trying not to miss a spot.
Even in the decks, kennel runs (After I remove the dogs), the woods, driveway.. Yes, fleas can hide in rocks. 
I always go further out than I need to. 
I also use cedar chips in our kennel runs and dog houses.
 

2. Our dogs are groomed OFTEN! 
I do not use flea shampoos on our dogs. 
I brush, comb, etc. and bath with mild shampoos only *The Coat Handler shampoos and conditioner. 
Some need it weekly depending on the dog, some are monthly. 
I also make sure my dogs have heartworm medicine once a month all year long. 
I also feed our dogs a premium dog food and raw foods with real raw meat and veggies and fruits and vitamins.
Dog bedding is washed every day for some and every other day for others. 

3. I treat our home for bugs 1- 2 times a year just in case anyway, so I make sure any product would kill fleas as well.

I have found 2 products that really work great..

1- Raid foggers. The one for Heavy infestations with little residue..
(**FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS ON THE BOX!~)
*Remove all animals from home, turn off any electric, gas, flame etc... I actually turn off the main switch to the fuse box. That way I did not miss anything. Any timed item even like a refrigerator, alarm clock, fish tank air controls, etc. can interact with a fogger. 
I cover anything I do not want it to get on-- like my fish tank. I open all cabinets, drawers, closets where I want it to seep into. 
These foggers take 4 hours. I go to the store, clean the yard or whatever outside during this time. 
I make sure I put a towel over my face to breath through when I come in to open windows and doors to air it out. 
Wipe down cabinets and whatever needed and vacuum the floors, furniture and all again. Repeat with emptying the vacuum bags or bagless again. 

2- Borax Mule Team Laundry Booster. 
What ever is in this Boric Acid, it takes the shell off of bugs and kills them. 
I sprinkle this all over.. Carpets, floors (make sure you get the edges of the room, in cracks etc., couches, chairs, beds etc. when you do your deep cleaning. Even in my Kennel runs. 
* It does kill plants so be careful. 
Let it all sit while you wash sheets, etc. 
Things you don’t need to wash can go in the dryer for 20 minutes on hot. 
Vacuum the Borax all up after a few hours or leave on all night or while you are at work. 
I vacuum and clean daily so I only use Borax maybe once every couple of months. It also freshens your beds and carpets. 
Remember to empty your bag or bagless and burn the contents or seal it in another bag with BORAX mule team laundry booster. 
*Fleas can stay in your vacuum as well, so keep it clean!
I also own a carpet shampoo machine. 
I use Hot water. Steam cleaning will kill fleas, larvae or eggs in your carpets as well. You can use the Borax and hot water in your carpet shampoo machine. 

4. I Clean Often. 
Vacuuming daily as I do, not only keeps my home clean, but it will pick up any bugs that may have come in. 
You can bring in fleas off your grass or any area that had them on even your shoe strings. So don’t always blame the dog or the cat in your home for fleas, you may have brought it home.
I dust our furniture weekly and vacuum the furniture then too. 
Once a month if not more, I move out all the furniture to get the carpet edges, ceilings, vents and all. 
We use Clorox bleach a lot!
I use it on our walls, tile floors, grooming table, dog towels, bedding, laundry, bathrooms, dog houses, cabinets, basically anything washable. 
I also use Palmolive dish soap. 
I use it on the dogs dishes, our dishes, Dog houses, deck, etc. I have seen this kill fleas and ants before, so I know this works too. 

5. The car you rode in on….
We keep our van vacuumed too. 
Anytime you are traveling to dog shows, vets, other’s homes, parks, work etc. you can pick up fleas like I mentioned earlier. This will help with keeping it vacuumed.
I also use Borax once every 6 months in there as well. 
Whew.. That is how I do it. I sure hope this helps you or someone you know trying to be rid of fleas.

For those that I have had to turn away due to fleas, I am sorry!! 
Once your dog(s) are flea free for 1 month, I will gladly accept them here! 

Do I sit around a lot??? ---- No! I have plenty to do for the safety of our dogs and yours! J 

Good luck and have a happy “FLEA FREE SUMMER”!

Your Groomer,

Stacy - Owner of Stacy’s Groom-n-Spa
 

Stacy's Groom-N-Spa is a full-service dog grooming salon. 

• I offer bathing and grooming for all dogs; all breeds, sizes and coat types. 
• I do not use Tranquilizers!  ONLY TLC and Massages. 
• My salon is clean and sanitized and dogs do not need to stay all day. 
• Depending on your dog's needs will depend on how long it stays with me.  Usually 1-2 hrs for most breeds is sufficient. 

• Actively Showing and grooming show dogs and pets since 1991. 
• An all-breed dogshow handler, groomer and ring-prepping show dogs. 
• Numerous educational seminars on Canines, Grooming, Breed Standards,Breeding, Nutrition, Health, Training and Safety. 
• Obedience trainer since 1991. 
• Breeder/Owner/Handler of Numerous AKC and UKC Conformation Champions and Group Placements Since 1997. 

Grooming Instructor to numerous other Dog Groomers who now own and operate their own Successful Grooming salons. 

Call today or email me for your dog’s appointment !

(864) 226-7779 / email: stafra@stafra-showteam.com   Pickup and delivery available

Services available in the Anderson, South Carolina area.

Stacy's Groom-N-Go Professional All Breed Dog Grooming is owned and managed by:
Stacy & Frank Morgan, Breeders/Owners/Handlers, Anderson, SC. Tel: 864-296-0522
Miniatures and Toys, AKC & UKC registered, OFA & CERF

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