funny until it happens to you

[peterk]

hi,
I am restoring 'Tehani' in an industrial shipyard here in Arica, Chile.
I live aboard, but don't have a dog.
Yet suddenly have a plague of tiny, very active fleas aboard.
They drive me nuts.

Believe it or not, I suspect they are vulture fleas !
Hundreds of vultures spend their nights perched on 60 meter fishing boats
around us.
As soon as it gets light they begin their
pecking order skirmishes
on 'Tehani' until I get up and chase them away.

Any leads to a Zoo's carrion birds-keeper?

I have tried the commercial anti - flea Sprays
- not only are they highly toxic
and full of fine-print-warnings,
- they are not that effective either.

Any idea of how to get rid of my tiny bloodsuckers in an organic/natural
manner?
Any idea at all ? - I'm sitting in front of this computer, scratching....

peter, www.juprowa.com/kittel

 

[Gerry]

Don't know if it grows in your part of the world but the herb WORMWOOD is disliked by most biting insects-used to be used by the Elizabethans to keep fleas away!

 

[adarcy]

Re: Wormwood

Translation of gerry's post =

start drinking absinthe

my advice carefully and no guarantee or warranty implied

 

[Trevethan]

Its also horribly toxic..

Short of shooting vultures, to keep your person free of fleas, a couple of cat flea collar around the ankles and two more on your belt might do the trick.

Used this method to keep me free of deer ticks while gardening in Maryland.

 

[Gerry]

Re: Wormwood

True!!! But the Elizabethans tore the herb up and spread it around the floors and bedding to sicourage fleas etc!!!
Don't fancy a 'green fairy' in the form of a large singing and dancing vulture flea!

 

[ponapay]

I think Vermouth used to be made from wormwood. Try spreading it all over, and drinking whats left. That may at least take your mind off the fleas!

ponapay

 

[Metabarca]

Pelinkovac (Croatian 98-octane) is stuffed with absinthe. Certainly never had any fleas on board. Doesn't keep thirsty yachties away, tho'...

 

[peterk]

well -
- the fleas have gotten used to me...

...peter, www.juprowa.com/kittel