Tapeworms

I recently posted a thread about how one of our cats is now indoor-outdoor kitty (he drove us insane wanting to go outside and we have given up) while the other is still indoor only.

Ever since the one cat started going outside, there have been changes around the house, including changes such as flea problem in both of the cats. Well today I have found that out indoor kitty has tapeworms. It is tapeworms for sure as I have researched extensively and because tapeworms are passed through fleas and they both just had fleas (we got Revolution and performed it on both of them about 10 days ago). 

Now, my first question is if there is any way to get rid of tapeworms completely without having to go to the vet and paying for vet visit and the test? If so, please suggest what to use. 

My next question is if there is ANY WAY to prevent the cats from getting fleas and tapeworms as a result? Sure we can keep buying Revolution, but for one it is not very cheap, secondly if the one cat constantly goes outside, there is no way he is NOT going to keep bringing fleas (which may result in more tapeworms). 

How effective are flea collars? If there are any good ones, which ones are good ones? May be putting a collar on the outdoor cat would help? 

I am having a brand-new baby next week and we definitely don't want parasites in the house with a newborn. Please suggest some effective preventative measures so that we don't go and spend money on flea and tapeworm treatment at the vets all the time. 

Thank you in advance! 

Revolution is costly, but works great.

For my cat rescue I have to buy the large dog size and dose down. 

Do not do this on your own though, the cat, small and med dog have a certain percentage of med content, the larger dog size has double the med content, and you don't want to OD your cats.

You can go to Petco and buy Tape Worm Tabs. Not so cheap but they do work, and cheaper then a vet.

Treat both cats, repeat if the tapeworm infestation is bad, after 2 weeks.

The only way to avoid fleas and worms is to treat monthly, the outdoor cat might get fleas hopping on for a ride but as soon as they bite they will fall off and die, so you won't need to worry about fleas in your home.

If a flea bit into a cat and fell off, does it mean a cat can still get infected with tapeworms? 

We are planning to use revolution mostly. I hope that monthly treatment is enough for the outdoor cat and it won't wear off earlier. And yes it is costly and I can't buy it anywhere but at the vet (which is even more expensive). Thank you for the response! 

No, tapeworms aren't from a flea bite but from an animal chewing and swallows a flea.

Revolution is the best at working these days. I used to use advantage in my cat rescue but it stopped working, frontline hasn't worked in years now, but revolution still is doing a good job.