Flea treatment for the RV? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Dog Folks · RV-Dreams Family Member

Flea treatment for the RV?

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are buying a used DRV Mobile Suites and the previous owners did travel with a dog. I was reading a book on FT RVing last night and it mentioned completing a full flea treatment in an RV before moving the pets into the RV. The author indicated the need to use a product that kills the fleas, larve and eggs.

Anyone have a suggestion on what kind of product I need to look for? I do not want to have our beloved Tazzy Kat worrying about fleas in her new home smile

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you find a single product that works, please let us know! We've been battling fleas for the past couple months, as we're currently in Florida (which seems to be a flea haven!).

We're using a combination of diametreous earth sprinkled about in carpets and under cushions/mattresses, water/oil flea traps, regular baths & daily combings on our cat, spraying a flea/insect killer outside on our site, a flea killer sprayed inside from time to time, daily vacuuming of everything, flea drops on our cat's neck and an occasional Capstar pill when things get really bad.

In your case, as you've not moved in - a flea bomb might be worthwhile. We've been reluctant to try that, as we're living in our rig and it'd be difficult to vacate for the time needed to bomb and air out... but may have to resort to that if we can't get this under control. The flea life cycle is a pain to break.

- Cherie

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cherie, sorry to hear about all the troubles. This is exactly what we're trying to prevent, since Dale will probably have the DRV home 3-5 days before we need to pack it for the first out of town art show, I might consider a flea bomb. Is that something I can buy at a pet store? Any recommendations on brands that are good or ones to avoid?

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

I saw some at our hardware store the other day... but honestly, haven't gotten to the point of researching them to know which would be best to select. What you have to understand tho is, the larve are near impossible to penetrate with any product. So you'll have to plan some follow-up after they hatch to catch them before they start breeding again.

Recommend doing several really good vacuums of everything to get what you can out of the carpets and such... and then bomb. Depending on how long ago the previous dog inhabitant was in the rig, you may not have anything to worry about. If there was a flea infestation, many of the fleas would have naturally starved without a food source.

- Cherie

Raytronx · RV-Dreams Family Member

We use a product called Revolution. Once a month application to the back of the neck. It controls fleas, ticks, heartworm,etc. Kills adult fleas and prevents their eggs from hatching. Never have a flea problem.

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

We've tried Revolution too... the darn buggers seem to be growing immune to most the popular drops here in Florida.

Raytronx · RV-Dreams Family Member

Maybe a steam cleaning might help. Might suck up the fleas and eggs. I have a little portable unit and do all the carpets and furniture every 3-6 months, really helps with the smell. I use a mixture of Borax, Water and Vinegar after trying commercial products I found this solution best to get rid of the dog smell. Although you get vinegar smell for a few days. :)

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would advise getting professional help.In the long run it will cost less.My 3 kids had a bad flea infestation and tried everything.Finally hired someone and are now flea free even though they have several dogs.

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

Exactly one eon ago we lived in Freeport, Florida and had flees so bad in the house that we just bought that when you laid on the carpet they jumped up on you. The poor dog couldn't even rest he had them so bad. We went tot the vet and he sold us some spray in a blue bottle. It smelled like alcohol. We bought an extra bottle. Sprayed the dog, who immediately went to sleep because he could finally rest and we sprayed the entire carpet throughout the house. We never had another flea problem ever again. After seeing the mosquito control video on another thread and that he used diluted alcohol on the Mosquitos, I wonder if the alcohol isn't the primary treatment.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Borrow a St. Bernard .......send him in for an hour , when all the fleas jump on him hurry him out the door and return him........Flea's all gone!!!! biggrin biggrin biggrin smile

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Wednesday 13th of March 2013 07:42:53 AM

waltben · RV-Dreams Family Member

Everyone seems to be assuming you're saying there ARE fleas in this RV. If that's the case, I wouldn't be worrried about your cat as much as about yourselves, unless you don't have a flea collar or treatment on it. If your cat is protected with either a collar or monthly treatments, it'll be fine although you may have some problems. From our experience, we've found more bugs in campgrounds than anywhere else, and pet flea & tick prevention is an absolute must along with plenty of insect repellant for ourselves.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We don't have the RV home yet, so we haven't confirmed that there are fleas. I'm thinking I would rather do some preventative maintenance before we move our kitty into. We do not currently have any issues with fleas where we live so we've never had her on any treatments, sounds like we need to plan to start that as we venture outside of this part of the country.

nightsky · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you kitty is flea free, and the RV is flea free, I don't know that I would worry about putting her on a preventative unless she will be indoor/outdoor at campgrounds. I'm not a fan of systemic poisons given to our pets. I'm also very leery of flea collars since so many of them have a poor record of reactions in pets. If you do decide to use the drops get the Frontline or Advantage, not the crap you buy at Walmart, pets have died from that stuff.

Ramblin Rose · RV-Dreams Community Member

Try flea busters. Go on their website. Had flea infestation in our house. Used this and it worked great..

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ask your vet. Our vet gave us a recipe for a home brew flea treatment that worked for us. Once under control, keep pets on a flea deterrent. We use Triflexis on our two dogs. Our cat is inside only. We've not had any problem with fleas in our RV for tow years now.

rmg-fg · RV-Dreams Community Member

This is an old topic but I stumbled on it and it is really helpful; even now. Northerner here whom used basic Frontline for decades with no real battles. Now we have been in Florida this past year and a half; what a nice surprise to find that the fleas here seem to be immune to Frontline, Advantage and just about every other remedy I swore by. My poor chihuahuas suffered. Not only do we have this problem a few months of the year but probably 8 months-from beginning of March on.....We took out all carpeting but the bedroom and there they lived quite happily while we tried everything. Revolution works now but only if we also use a fogger a few days apart two or three times. Revolution is sincerely the only relief we have gotten and with use for over a year. Now I am in the hopes that they will not grow an immunity this summer either but so far it works.