Flea control and reef aquarium safety

Hi All,

Hope this is an appropriate topic.

We found out yesterday our dogs have fleas. This evidently requires massive chemicals to eradicate, and we have been told the house and yard must be treated in addition to the dogs.

This thread isn't about the down and dirty of flea control, but a question regarding the safety of using household insecticides with a reef tank in the house. Unlike humans or dogs, even birds, which can be moved out of the house for a few hours, a 90 Gallon set-up isn't going anywhere easily.

Anyone ever had this problem? Any suggestions?

I'm thinking of using a spray for the floors and furniture rather than a bomb thinking it will minimize contamination to the tank.

Hopefully this isn't too "off topic".

Thanks for any advice!

 

Good question. I am curious as well since those products contain special warnings about aquatic organism toxicity.

 

I was threatened with this before. Some things I thought about. Getting fresh air into the aquarium via air lines either connected to the skimmer from the outside or using an air pump placed outside a window. Also running carbon. Do you have a cover on your tank?

 

I'm sure there are alternative treatments. But you didn't ask that. I have bombed the house before. I sealed my tank as tight as possible and then cut off skimmer and lights. Set off bombs and then left for a few hours. Came back and aired out the house. Everything was fine. I left circulation pumps on.

 

Growing up with parents that showed/bred/handled dog professionally and living out in the country, I have my memories of fleas. They suck, I am sorry you have to deal with them.

Have you considered the drops for your dog? I distinctly remember when frontline came out and we went to the local vet to get some and it was like a miracle cure. They took care of the ones that were on and the ones that jumped on. Now, if your house is full, then there's eggs somewhere. If you have any area rugs, throw them out. Just bite that bullet and roll em up and throw em out, burn em, blow em up!

The only time I've experienced fleas was one summer about 6 years ago. We had an area rug, we did the frontline, but it took me rolling up the rug and throwing it away to fully control the problem.

Now, I like your idea of trying the spray first before bombing. But I would do that in combination with the frontline. Hopefully that will curb the errant fleas/eggs around the house and then any that jump on your dogs will be goners.

As for outside, we always used sevin dust. I haven't done anything outside for years, so I don't know if there's a better solution out there nowadays.


Good luck! And I hope your little friends find a new home in the GRAVE!

 

Thank you all for the advice!
We are using vectra 3d on the dogs, recommended by our vet and similar to front line but also repells. We've applied a powder and will next spray the house (seams in hardwood floors apparently are attractive to fleas as hiding places). We will throw out the area rugs as you suggest and plush beds and toys too.
Have placed some carbon in the sump as well - great idea thank you.
Our situation wasn't "bad" but we have multiple dogs and don't want things to get out of control.
So far all appears to be ok, dogs are better and tank seems unphased.