Nothing Sucks Like Electrolux
"Vacuum Kills Fleas As Effectively As Poison, Say Researchers." Via a Consumerist post, there's this, from Reuters:
(Researchers) said a standard vacuum cleaner abuses the fleas so much it kills 96 percent of adult fleas and 100 percent of younger fleas.So no need to worry that a vacuum cleaner bag may turn into a fleabag breeding ground for the pesky, biting creatures, said Glen Needham, associate professor of entomology at Ohio State University.
Needham studied the cat flea, or Ctenocephalides felis, the most common type of flea found in households.
"No matter what vacuum a flea gets sucked into, it's probably a one-way trip," Needham said in a statement.
Writing in the journal Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, Needham suggested that the vacuum brushes wear away a waxy outer layer on insects called the cuticle. Without it, the fleas, larvae and pupae probably dry up and die, he said.
Yes, but what if your dog is so small she'd get sucked up into the vacuum with the fleas? (Not that Lucy has any fleas.)
Vacuum cleaners work well with ants too. If they are coming into your house, suck 'em up. Then they don't get to go back home and tell their pals about all the good stuff you have, and eventually they stop coming in. Presumably the pheromones wear off.
(I like ants and other critters, but I don't want them drowning in my jam or pooping in my butter.)
Norman at December 20, 2007 2:33 AM
Flea abuse! Call PETA!
jerry at December 20, 2007 5:02 AM
ROOMBA!
brian at December 20, 2007 5:13 AM
What an interesting shot of Lucy. Love the play of light and shadow.
Donna at December 20, 2007 7:36 AM
Thank you. This dog actually poses for photos.
Amy Alkon at December 20, 2007 7:44 AM
Lucy is so darn cute, and I am not really a fan of smaller dogs. My AmStaff, Paige, poses as well. She also loves to put on clothes. She thinks she is the hottest thing around. My other dog, Daisy, is the exact opposite. She looks at Paige like she is crazy whenever Paige is wearing an outfit.
Amy at December 20, 2007 9:50 AM
oh my god! that dog is adorable!
kg at December 20, 2007 2:34 PM
Angel Lucy!
Maggie45 at December 20, 2007 6:16 PM
Queer. Elfin. Pinko. I don't care if sunlight's beaming from within the beast's skull, that's a gay dog.
Crid at December 20, 2007 10:05 PM
Sorry, the vacuum alone will not do. If you have fleas, add mothball crystals to the bag or canister to finish them off. Open the windows while you vacuum - the mothball fumes are strong. Empty the bag when you're done vacuuming.
Michelle at December 21, 2007 2:27 PM
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