Fighting fleas might mean you have to treat home and yard

Dear Cathy: The flea problem in South Florida is bad. I have tried external drops, flea collars and chewables, and they do not work. My dog has been miserable. Someone from the companies need to come to the area and find out why the fleas have become immune to their products. — Dane, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Dear Dane: I am not sure why your dog seems immune to flea preventatives, except to say that you may need to treat your home and yard as well.

You can buy diatomaceous earth and spread it on your yard. It’s safe for you and your dog, but it causes fleas to dehydrate and die. Next, I would use a fogger in the house to get rid of any fleas and flea eggs. And I would bathe your dog in a dip that kills fleas.

I think when you hit your flea problem from all sides, you will begin to see an improvement.

Dear Cathy: I read the column about dog owners leaving poop bags on sidewalks. I saw this a few years ago in West Hollywood. There was a lack of waste containers, and I figured without a convenient place to dispose, they were just left in place. We need to have convenient waste disposal available in our cities. — Timothy, Tucson, Arizona

Dear Timothy: In my old neighborhood, the Homeowner’s Association put trash containers and doggie poop bags every quarter mile. It got people to pick up, so your idea has merit. When neighborhoods don’t have public waste containers, some dog owners will dispose of their dog’s poop bag in a neighbor’s trash can. While this may seem logical, please know there are people out there who will get angry for using their trash can.

Dog owners, please take your dog’s poop bag with you and dispose of it at home.