John: Any shampoo applied to the ferret and allowed to sit for a period
of at least 5 minutes should kill fleas, with one or two applications.
Pyrethrin shampoos (like adams) are safe to use on kittens, puppies...
and offer the quick "knock down" of the fleas. Pyrethrins are natural
insecticides derived from chrysanthemums. Very safe (as insecticides go)
but with little residual activity. Once you rinse it off, it is gone! So
we often use a pyrethrin water based flea spray on bedding and baby if
the problem reoccurs. It only kills the adult fleas (no effect on egg or
the larva). Permethrins are synthetic pyrethrins that have a longer
duration of action than pyrethrin (natural). Precor/methoprene are growth
inhibitors that prevent the larva from becoming a mature (biting) adult.
Do let the carpets... dry before returning your carpet sharks to the vacinity
to avoid potential problems (toxicities).
 
Does anyone know of a shelter... in the southeast?
 
                                                  Temporarily ferretless Vicki
[Posted in FML issue 0500]