Feedback on Fleas & Ticks

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In MOTHER NO. 16, Larry and Nina Knapp ask about getting rid of fleas and ticks in their house . . . we recently went through a similar problem and were turned on to a very sane cure.

What we discovered was silica gel, the main ingredient in two commercially available products called "Dry-Die" and "Superkill" (although we've seen these only in hardware stores).

Silica gel has been used experimentally as a permanent termite control sprinkled in a building during construction. Its effectiveness comes from the fact that it's extremely absorbent . . . when it touches an insect's shell, it actually dries a hole in it and then goes on to dehydrate the critter.

Because insects have exo-skeletons, they're the only ones affected by silica gel . . . and if it's sprinkled into carpets and chairs, it lasts long enough to kill the eggs left by fleas and their ilk. Of course, the best part about the stuff is that it isn't a nerve gas type of insecticide . . . it's totally non-toxic to folks and other animals.

David and Jackie Browning
Brownsville, Ore.

Hope this will help Larry and Nina with the flea and tick problem. We've found an inexpensive solution, but it only works if you're going on vacation. (Go camping for a weekend if you have to!)

Buy several boxes of naphthalene flakes . . . we usually use onebox-plus per 16' x 16' room. When you're ready to go, get dogs and everybody out of the house, close the windows and doors and sling the flakes liberally all over the floor. Be sure to get plenty in the corners and the cracks in boards and linoleum. Then get yourself out fast! The fumes from the flakes aren't pleasant (and may even be dangerous) to people, but are lethal to fleas.

Stay away as long as you can . . we've had luck leaving the flakes down for a weekend, but a week would be better. When you come back, reverse the procedure: Leave the animals outside, open windows and doors and then clean up the flakes that are left (they dissolve with exposure to air). Note: If you vacuum, be prepared to throw away the bag, or you'll recycle the smell of mothballs every time you use the appliance.

I have no idea whether this idea works on ticks, because we've never had a problem with them in the house. We think prevention is the best answer for them and we inspect our dog daily for the pests and try to bathe him regularly in a special dip our vet gave us. Ask your veterinarian what to use . . . the commercial soaps aren't worth the boxes they come in.