6 replies to this topic

[BleepingBleepers]

Okay near ants? I have my ants in my room, dog will be about 4 ft away.

 

Regular room with windows.

[Ernteameise]

I would not risk it.

We had a member here who lost half their ant colonies because they treated their dog with a spot-on, then they forgot to wash hands and then fed the ants.

The ants died in pain with seizures and cramps.

Keep the dog out of that room and always wash your hands after having touched the dog, especially if you are going to touch anything "anty" next.

Better save than sorry.

 

Fun fact (I am a vet)- Frontline is not working against fleas anymore, the fleas have become resistant. Find a spot-on with a different ingredient. Advantage or such.

[BleepingBleepers]

^ I kinda know about the hand washing since it is a poison, been washing my hands with DAWN and GOJO abrasive soap, not to mention I mostly feed with tweezers and syringes.

 

I was mainly wondering if the scent / smell would be an issue at that distance. It does form a challenge since it's a new dog that I supervise all the time and need to keep it close by.

Hmmm....

 

Thanks for the bit of info on the frontline, seems like a lot of these medications don't work as they use to. I've had some bottles around for a bit too long as well. Itching could also be from allergies, from dry skin and so forth. What a pain lol.

I have found that it helps to throw their bedding into the drier set on LOW (still hits in the 110Fs) every other day or so. Would be great to never have flea issues again though

[Ernteameise]

The biggest enemies of the flea are- the vacuum cleaner and the washing machine.

One of the reasons why human fleas have become so rare.

Reason-

flea larvae live in your carpet and the animal bedding and eat dust and dried skin flakes and such.

Adult fleas only come to the host to suck blood, and then go hiding again.

You can reduce fleas A LOT by hygiene and regular cleaning and washing.

 

EDIT-

I would still be very careful with a treated dog in the ant room.

These spot-ons work by disseminating all over the animal body.

So the poison is evenly distributed in the whole animal body and can therefore kill the parasites.

This is why it is not recommended to allow kids to cuddle and hug and stroke animals that are freshly treated and pregnant humans should not touch it at all (and if they do, with gloves) since the poison is also dangerous to human embryos. After treatment, you have to wait several DAYS.

Edited by Ernteameise, April 24 2025 - 11:36 AM.

[ReignofRage]

It is fine so long you do not touch your dog and then cross contaminate feeders or setups due to not washing your hands. 

[Ernteameise]

It is fine so long you do not touch your dog and then cross contaminate feeders or setups due to not washing your hands. 

And not doing so for at least a week after treatment.

Edited by Ernteameise, Yesterday, 12:08 AM.

[M_Ants]

Consider everything contaminated and always wash your hands before touching anything ant related. This applies indefinitely. The flea medicine can kill ants years later depending on what surface it's on.