Ewww!!! Fleas!!!!

weldrwomn

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I found some rather large, feisty fleas on Darcy and some flea dirt on Marcie. I think that, after a thorough grooming with a flea comb, I removed about half a dozen from Darcy. I am soooo grossed out!!! I have done a back search, but I would like some answers to these questions:

1. What can I sprinkle in the carpet and furniture that will kill the fleas and flea eggs without injuring the cats? I have heard that vacuuming will kill fleas, but does just vacuuming work on all life stages?

2. How will I know when I have got rid of all of them?

3. Marcie and Darcy are strictly indoor cats, how did they get fleas?

4. When will I stop itching? I have been severly itchy since finding Darcy's fleas...
 

raggiekitty

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My indoor only kitty got fleas a few months ago too....I guess someone just brought them in???? Anyways, there have been lots of different suggestions on here about how to deal with them, but I will say what I did...
Firstly, I applied Frontline ( later switched to Advantage) and have used a monthly treatment on my indoor cat since. It's easier to prevent than to deal with it happening. I combed her out at least twice a day. Vacuum everyday.
I eventually had to deal with the fact that I would have to treat the house and after trying one "natural" powder that did absolutely nothing, I read great reviews on the net about Zodiac Fleatrol (sp?) Aersol Spray that is an aeresol spray (not pump) that I found at Kroger. It was the easiest to use, sprays upside down while you point at carpet, under furniture, curtains, etc. It had basically no smell too. I put the cat in my bathroom and shut that door and my bedroom door. Then I sat in my room for an hour. It dries quickly so then I let her back out (she never noticed anything...it didn't leave a smell or leave anything wet) into the main rooms and did my bed/bath. I redid it 10 days later according to directions and didn't see anymore.
All that being said, we didn't have a BAD case of it as none of us ever had any on us and she wasn't covered up in them either but it did take about the 3 month cycle that everybody says to completely kill them.
Also, you should vacuum right before using whatever you use on the carpets to get them active so the product can work better.
If you have a vac with bags, you'll need to throw the bag away every time or at least put a flea collar cut up in the bag. I have bagless, so I emptied it outside.
It will probably be a while before you stop itching though...I hated it too!
and that's why I'll keep treating her monthly just in case....
 

megan70

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hello,

i apply a monthly treatment too.
found frontline ineffective so switched to advocate - this also worms them and is fantastic. it will also kill the fleas in the house when they jump on the cats and break future cycles of fleas.

besse was LOADED with fleas a few summers ago, we moved into a house that had indoor dogs and the carpet was riddled with eggs, i tried flea bombs but it didn't seem to help. switched to advocate and the problem dissapeared.

have tried natural remedies but no luck.
 

yosemite

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There are many threads on fleas and if you do a search you'll find plenty of information.

First and foremost - do NOT use over-the-counter products. They are usually ineffective and some are actually dangerous to your pet.

Using a monthly application of Advantage/Frontline/Revolution (gotten from your vet) is recommended.

We had tried sprays and other strong chemical flea sprays back when I was less educated about fleas and none of them worked. We ended up getting a professional exterminator in to deal with a bad infestation.

I recommend diatomaceous earth for sprinkling in your rugs and furniture. It can usually be found at garden centres but it must be the human/food grade DE. Sprinkle it in the fibres and then brush it in well (with a broom for the carpeting and a brush for furniture). DE is completely safe for your pets. If any is ingested the worst it will do is get rid of any internal parasites they may have which isn't a bad thing at all.

Indoor cats can and do get fleas. We humans can carry the little critters in on our clothing. Mika and Bijou get flea treatments monthly from April until the end of October as a preventative.

ETA: NEVER ever use a flea collar for anything other than cutting it up and putting pieces in your vacuum. After vacuuming, empty the contents in your outside garbage (trash for you US folks) can.
 
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weldrwomn

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Well, on Thursday, I had my hubby go to the store and get a flea collar for the vacuum and some of that Zodiac Carpet and Upholstery aerosol. He also went to the vet and got some frontline plus.

He applied the Frontline on Thursday (early afternoon) and we were still getting a few live fleas off the cats by Friday evening. I am confused that Frontline would take so long to work. Yesterday, I combed the girls twice and didn't get any fleas or flea dirt


On thursday, he also applied the carpet spray and had the girls locked in their crates in the utility room for an hour (which is how Darcy's claws ended up being bruised). He thoroughly vacuumed everything on Thursday and again yesterday. We can't wait for the Dyson to get here...I hope that I end up grossed out at how much more stuff it can suck up


I think that I read in another thread that Borox is good to sprinkle on the carpet. Even though the problem seems to be under control for the moment, I might try it in the future. I also might try the DE if I can find it locally.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
 

yosemite

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Originally Posted by WELDRWOMN

Well, on Thursday, I had my hubby go to the store and get a flea collar for the vacuum and some of that Zodiac Carpet and Upholstery aerosol. He also went to the vet and got some frontline plus.

He applied the Frontline on Thursday (early afternoon) and we were still getting a few live fleas off the cats by Friday evening. I am confused that Frontline would take so long to work. Yesterday, I combed the girls twice and didn't get any fleas or flea dirt


On thursday, he also applied the carpet spray and had the girls locked in their crates in the utility room for an hour (which is how Darcy's claws ended up being bruised). He thoroughly vacuumed everything on Thursday and again yesterday. We can't wait for the Dyson to get here...I hope that I end up grossed out at how much more stuff it can suck up


I think that I read in another thread that Borox is good to sprinkle on the carpet. Even though the problem seems to be under control for the moment, I might try it in the future. I also might try the DE if I can find it locally.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
You can use Borax but it isn't as safe for the kitties.
 

spyral

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Ah, I was confused on the Advocate brand. Turns out it is Advantage, but it is named different in Australia! Just to clarify if anyone else went looking for info on Advocate!
 
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