Sentry Natural Defense Carpet Powder

[hopsandflops]

Hey all, I have a question about the safety of using this product around my two bunnies. I never thought I’d be treating them for fleas, but as a vet tech, part of my job is dealing with dogs and cats that are infested with the nasty buggers, and I inadvertently brought some home with me.  I have been scouring the internet for safe products…I know that rabbits are extremely sensitive to chemicals and basically anything else except for cuddles and rubs, so I worry about using anything that might harm them.  Help!

 

I’ll be using Advantage for kittens on the two of them, as I know its bunny-approved, but finding a recommended flea carpet powder is a little tougher.

[Beka27]

Yes Advantage and Revolution is safe for buns. (Frontline is NOT! The way I remember this: “F”= Frontline FAILS!)

As far as the powder stuff, I really am not sure. Generally you don’t want to use carpet powders (fresheners) b/c once it goes down, it’s impossible to vaccuum it all up and the buns are *so close* to the ground that it will irritate them. We used a “bug bomb” successfully last summer, but of course you have to evacuate for several hours and then air out thoroughly. I would suggest you relocate the buns for a full 24 hours if you did this.

We haven’t had flea problems ourselves, so I will step aside now and allow someone who has first-hand experience take it form here…

Welcome here, btw!

[Bunnies4ever]

My houseplants were recently infested with fungus gnats. I looked on the internet for an environmentally friendly way to get rid of the little buggers. I found that diatomaceous earth (DE for short) is an organic, non-toxic mineral of crushed fossils that can be used to get rid of gnats, fleas, ants, roaches, etc. It can be used on dogs and cats topically or orally (I brought the food grade quality). I would ask your vet or vet tech if it’s safe to use topically on rabbits. My rabbits have never had fleas, so I’m not sure. It’s worth a try. I brought a huge bottle on the internet for $8.00. I sprinkled this stuff on the soil of my plants and the gnats were gone in 2 days!

[hopsandflops]

Thanks guys. I think I’m going to get the Fleabusters stuff. I don’t really want to, because you have to buy it online and only in 3 lb (!!) tubs, but the extra expense is well worth knowing my buns will be safe.

[KatnipCrzy]

For bunnies I would recommend just using the Advantage and washing bedding, etc.  Vacuuming and emptying and gettting rid of canister contents, etc.

Capstar can also be used on bunnies- and that works great- so you can get rid of the adult fleas ASAP, use Advantage for continual treatment and just keep working on the environment throughout the flea life cycle.

Powders are generally not very effective compared to other methods.

Are you in the US?  Do you have other pets?

[RabbitPam]

You might try sprinkling baking soda on the carpet first, then vacuuming it up. It isn’t particularly harmful to bunnies if tasted, and does kill aphids, so might be effective on other types of bugs as well. Worth a try as a natural cleaner before switching to something stronger. You could also spray the carpet with white vinegar, then vacuum. Ants don’t like vinegar and again, no harm to bunnies.

They say you need to be sure to clean out the vacuum bag afterwards or the fleas can live in there.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Bunnies4ever on 10/18/2009 08:50 AM
My houseplants were recently infested with fungus gnats. I looked on the internet for an environmentally friendly way to get rid of the little buggers. I found that diatomaceous earth (DE for short) is an organic, non-toxic mineral of crushed fossils that can be used to get rid of gnats, fleas, ants, roaches, etc. It can be used on dogs and cats topically or orally (I brought the food grade quality). I would ask your vet or vet tech if it’s safe to use topically on rabbits. My rabbits have never had fleas, so I’m not sure. It’s worth a try. I brought a huge bottle on the internet for $8.00. I sprinkled this stuff on the soil of my plants and the gnats were gone in 2 days!

I think using Food Grade DE is pretty important. (as Bunnies4ever did). Member Kafrn knows a bit about this if you want to PM her.

 

[hopsandflops]

Yeah, I’m in SC.I put flea collars in both my vaccum bag and my shop vac, so that should take care of anything I pick up. I appreciate all of the advice…think I’m going to wait it out before using any carpet powder.

[KatnipCrzy]

flea collars are one of the most ineffective means of flea control.  You would be better off getting rid of the vacuum contents completely to make sure they are not hatching out in the vacuum and getting right back into the environment.

If you call Bayer- who makes Advatage they can give you all kinds of recommended treatment info to break the flea life cycle.  Every year I have to sit thru the same flea and heartworm rep lectures at work.

[Kafrn]

Diatomaceous earth: the best way to de flea your home and pet.

http://www.gotyapests.com

I can let you know people in the states that sell it if you like. I dont think I would be too well liked by the Government if I posted White Powder overseas.

[Kafrn]

HAS to be food grade. Google Perma guard Or Absorbacide.

any other brands are heat treated, or chemically treated, and are highly toxic. We only sell it in its natural form. Very very good for bugs and parasites. Very good for your pet too.

[Bunnies4ever]

I brought my DE from amazon.com. $8.00 for a huge bottle. Remember to buy the food grade quality. That stuff really works and is non-toxic.

[Author]

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