Thanks. I was not sure whether it might be that one or the Scalibor collar. I will ask Ram when Pereg goes for her next check-up and blood tests next month.

I am very allergic to flea bites, so I am always checking the dogs and cats. Upto now though we have been flea free for years. BUT.... I found one of my old cat. So I used DE (diatomaceous earth) and smothered the dogs and cats in it outside, you have to be careful not to breath the dust in, and I have to say one of my cats came for a cuddle and a flea fell of and it def was not well....so I think it def worked and is natural and it dosent matter if they lick it when they clean themselves. A lot of people use it for worming, I would too only I forget to put it in their food

BUT.... the down side..... I have a DE mist all over the house, on the furniture, on the carpet and in my bed....

The Seresto collar sounds good (although this sounds worrying: http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/foru...d-tick-collar), though I'm not sure if it'd be ok to use as I have a young child around, and surely you'd have to not touch it?

The mist sounds unpleasant! Does it smell, or is it just gross?

Thank you for reminding me - I vaguely remembered having read something about the Seresto collar on the Epi List a few months ago, so just checked through the archives and it is definitely a no-no for Pereg.

So that just leaves the Scalibor to ask about, as that has not been mentioned on the List that I can find.

There is more than one sort of Frontline. And everyone mentions finding fleas on dogs. I am sure you all know that if you find one flea on a dog that means you have far more in the home. The dog is just a roving restaurant for them.

When you have a dog with Flea Allergy Dermatitis you quickly find out that not many 'herbal' or 'home' remedies work as well as the chemical ones as even just ONE bite can send the dog into a frenzy of irritation. The dog and the home has then to be kept really flea free.

I was reading with interest that what we refer to as dog fleas are mainly nowadays cat fleas? But you need a microscope to tell the difference!

Hoppy fleas as I always call them are very attracted to me (same as mozzies are) if I go into a house where they've got them I always get bitten round the ankles - and sometimes the houseowner had no clue they had a flea problem because they didn't ever get bitten and of course dogs 'get used' to having fleas and they do say that they are more likely to 'scratch' if they've only just got them.

Not seeing fleas easily on a dog or cat is no indication that there are none present in the home.

Re Frontline not working any more (tho there are other products you can try but I think most are based on same stuff). I'd ask the vets who said pets fleas develop 'resistance to it' where they got their facts certainly the animal cannot become immune - it doesn't work via the bloodstream. And they are improving these products all the time. From a Flea Fact Web Seminar (not a Frontline promo)

There is an ongoing debate on the subject but no evidence that fleas have become resistant to the chemical used. And some say that the main problem is owner compliance and

I confess to being one of those owners when I was desperate to stop my Cavvy scratching herself to death.

No, no smell, or grossness, just very dusty. All gone now cos I have hoovered and dusted it settles very quickly.

I also do the carpet and furniture with Indorex. I have not had a problem for years, but I am sure they are cat fleas.

As I said above most fleas on dogs are cat fleas nowadays. Dog fleas are quite rare apparently!

We have been using Frontline with no problems. We spend two months in the south of France in summer-- we had a flea thing one year, blasted the house, treated the dogs, and never again since.

There are some natural allopathic things you can do. Brewer's yeast is a natural B vitamin thing that is actually very tasty (try it on popcorn!), most animals like, the smell of which most bloodsuckers don't. You can get it in any health food shop. It'll make your pets' blood stink so things won't want to bite them-- or you, if you're having it too. Another is citrus oil. Eat a grapefruit, then rub the peel all over your pets' beds. Pop orange peels on the radiators in winter to dissipate the oils through your house and make a nice scent. Stick some cloves in them if you want more nice scent! It won't harm any mammals, but will discourage bloodsuckers.

These methods WILL NOT KILL fleas or ticks! They'll just make your home a little less friendly to them.