Fleas in the house

[MarkSzy]

Looking for some advice to protect my aquarium. Has anyone had to flea bomb there house and what did you do to protect your tank? I’m thinking just a large plastic sheet and tape to the walls all around it.

If have had to do this, what did you do and did the tank survive?

 

[Chris.Reef]

What kind of flea bomb are you using and what’s the active ingredient in it? At minimum try and seal up the tank as much as possible, turn off skimmer and add carbon and cross your fingers. If possible a outside air line bubbling into your tank should help.

 

[afboundguy]

I would think sealing it off and possibly even using whatever you use to seal the tank to an open window. I would also be concerned about if there are any fleas in/around the tank that would survive the whole-house treatment risking bringing back the issue.

Are you doing this yourself or using a company? I would ask the company if you are using one as they have probably had to deal with this before. And if so try and ask for references from homes that had aquariums and ask what chemical(s) they are using.

 

[MarkSzy]

What kind of flea bomb are you using and what’s the active ingredient in it? At minimum try and seal up the tank as much as possible, turn off skimmer and add carbon and cross your fingers. If possible an outside air line bubbling into your tank should help.

The active ingredient is Cypermethrin, I bought raid defender. I also bought a big 3mil plastic sheet I plan to block and tape off as tight at I can around the tank.

I also did plan to shut off the skimmer during the process and I always run carbon but will make sure I have an added new before and after the fogging.

 

[MarkSzy]

I would think sealing it off and possibly even using whatever you use to seal the tank to an open window. I would also be concerned about if there are any fleas in/around the tank that would survive the whole-house treatment risking bringing back the issue.

Are you doing this yourself or using a company? I would ask the company if you are using one as they have probably had to deal with this before. And if so try and ask for references from homes that had aquariums and ask what chemical(s) they are using.

I was planning to do it myself just because I need to fog while I am out of the house getting the dog cleaned. This way we come home to a cleanish house. I am worried there might be some fleas around the tank but don’t want to kill my tank either.

 

[JBendel]

FWIW: With the lights off, put a saucer of water with a few drops of soap on the floor near your tank with a small spot light on the saucer. In the morning, check and see how many fleas are in it, and that could give you an idea of the "flea density".

 

[MarkSzy]

So after posting this I remembered I knew someone in the pest control industry, he said because it’s fleas I can get away with spraying all carpet and upholstery and not fogging. I still plan to shut off the skimmer and covering the tank as much as possible but feel much better about not having to fog the house.

 

[afboundguy]

So after posting this I remembered I knew someone in the pest control industry, he said because it’s fleas I can get away with spraying all carpet and upholstery and not fogging. I still plan to shut off the skimmer and covering the tank as much as possible but feel much better about not having to fog the house.

That sounds like a good idea. I also like the idea @JBendel suggested.

 

[cilyjr]

When we got fleas once, All we used was diatomaceous earth all over everything. It was a freaking horrible mess but it worked and obviously no fish tank issues. I put diatomaceous earth in a filter in my aquarium from time to time.

 

[MarkSzy]

When we got fleas once, All we used was diatomaceous earth all over everything. It was a freaking horrible mess but it worked and obviously no fish tank issues. I put diatomaceous earth in a filter in my aquarium from time to time.

How did you spread all the powder? And how did you clean it all up?

 

[cilyjr]

With a sifter for flour. Ya need to get it in every corner and crack. Then you vacuum, and vacuum. Then vacuum! Oh, after that..... Vacuum.

It does make an unpleasant mess but it also works.

A quick Google search will give details.

 

[cilyjr]

Good luck, I'm sure it's unpleasant right now.