Cat fleas

I had this in a flat, our cat had been sent off to my parents while we were away on a work placement for a few weeks, when we returned for a weekend the fleas were desperate for a feed and jumping everywhere.
We used an insecticidal powder on the carpets then.

I have no idea what is was but it seemed to work. This was back in the early 1970s. Something like Malathion and I think carbaryl, nasty chemicals both.

There was no such thin as these spot on animal flea prevention measures in those days.

I do wonder what hit then next tenants after we moved out with the cat.
Wicked

Well, for some reason, and I`ll probably be proved a liar soon, I`ve not seen a flea, or had a single bite today. Last night, before going to bed, I sprayed the floor in front of my chair, plus the footrest, with fly spray, then on the way upstairs I sprayed the stair carpet, then this morning I sprayed our bedroom carpet, plus the bed itself. Don`t know if that`s why, but, fingers crossed, still no more bites.

I remember being advised to keep up the hoovering/cleaning regime, and re-use any furniture treatments again in a month. Is it true that flea's can live for 3 months without feeding, or is it an urban myth?

A district nurse once told me that they can live for up to 2 years without feeding, in cracks between floorboards, horrible thought! Tonight I got 2 more bites, from 2 separate fleas, in the garage, where the washing machine is, so now we`ve sprayed the garage with fly spray. And tomorrow I`m on a flea spray mission in town.

Oh No number please. That confirms those of us who use Advocat monthly are probably doing the best we can. Good luck with your mission.

Number, I use Profender on my cats, but it is a spot-on preventative for worms!
I am interested to hear recommendations for Advocat, might try that next time, although Frontline Combo seems to do the trick at the moment. I warm up the pipettes in my bra so that the liquid is at body temperature when applied, so usually they don't shoot away before I have finished. I turned up for my last breast screening with a forgotten dose in my underwear, leaving the imprint visible - we had a good laugh!

Iam64 Please reassure me it is Advocat and not Advocaat you meant.

I was really puzzling for a moment about why you were putting "A traditional Dutch alcoholic beverage made from eggs, sugar and brandy." over your cat to ward off fleas.

Oh sorry nellie - you are 'spot on'. We had a family get together here yesterday to celebrate a number of positive events. I must have been just a tad tired when I posted! My gran always had Advocat in her cupboard, and we children were given a tiny amount to toast special events. Having all the family here yesterday must have had me back in 1954…..

You did write advocat, but it really had me wondering there for a few moments.

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I'm a fan of frontline too, as flea collars only work on small cats. On large cats the fleas just move away from the collar. Frontline also prevents ticks.

Remember that fleas can survive quite happily inside the vacuum cleaner, so empty it as soon as you have finished your very thorough cleaning spree.

I have found the fleas unfortunately can lay their eggs in the cracks between floor boards, so wash them in hot soapy water and or ammonia and water.

Anything that can't be washed in the way of cushions, clothing can be wrapped in a plastic bag and put in the freezer overnight.

Please be very careful what you buy of sprays etc. as unless they are specifically stated to be suitable for homes with cats, you risk killing the cat instead of the fleas. Cats are apparently much more sensitive to chemicals than dogs.

I have found washing wicker baskets in warm water just as effective as spraying them.

If you are really desperate, you can try combing the cat with a nit comb and drowning the fleas you catch in warm water. I hesitate to suggest bathing the cat - I know the chemist sells shampoo for cats, but the only person I have ever known who bathed his cat was severely bitten by the cat for his pains.´

When I used flea collars, I cut a snippet off the new collar and put it inside the vacuum cleaner to kill fleas that were vacuumed up. It seemed to work quite well.

I learned first hand a few years ago that getting rid of fleas is no easy task. It sounds simple enough, but the problem is they have a tendency to keep coming back.

After 20 years of owning pets I’d never had to deal with them before. So I went to the store, loaded up a bunch of flea products and got to work. After each treatment I’d let out a sigh of relief thinking they were finally gone, and yet a few days later the fleas would be back.

The products I tried only offered temporary solutions, they weren’t getting rid of fleas for good. Don’t let yourself fall into that same trap. In this article I’ll share with you what works for getting rid of fleas, what doesn’t, and why fleas are so tricky to get rid of.

www.wikifleas.com/2018/05/6-easy-natural-ways-to-get-rid-of-dog.html

www.wikifleas.com/2018/06/Top-6-Effective-Flea-Treatments-for-dogs.html

I've had cats all my adult life - certainly since I was 21 (38 years now)and only once ever had a problem with fleas. You need to use effective stuff on your cat - mine has a prescription treatment from the vet, as vets are now saying that the usual over-the-counter stuff like Frontline (I always used to use that) is no good as fleas are immune to it now.

You also need to treat the house. A good spray is INDOREX. The skirtings, carpets, rugs, and anywhere that your cat sits or sleeps (settee, bed, blanket, etc) all need to be sprayed. Fleas jump off the cat, lay their eggs in those different places, get back onto the cat (the host), and the eggs can remain dormant for ages. When they hatch, any passing host (your legs, the cat, any other pet, etc) will be bitten.

Our fleas have become resistant to frontline, but Bayer who makes it also makes a similar thing called Advantage and it is working very well indeed, (fingers crossed).

Vacuuming yes, but it isn't the whole answer. Anything that can harbour fleas and which can be washed should be washed in as hot water as it can stand. I add ammonia to the water when I wash our varnished wooden floors.

I have tried the business of combing cats with a nit-comb and drowning the fleas, but it is a good deal easier to try a different make of spot-on treatment, until you find one the fleas are not resistant to.

Oops, sorry, I see I have repeated myself!

Hi, re foggy bombs: you can buy them from most large pet stores. They are an aerosol type tin, and can be bought as a single or double pack. You need to vacuum everywhere, and make sure no animals are in the room, and especially not fish tanks. You click the top of the tin and it actives a spray that goes straight up in the air. The instructions with the pack says they'll kill active fleas, larvae and eggs in the room used. Obviously you have to shut the room up and leave it.... can't remember exact time, but instructions are clear.
I used to have 4 cats, that were very friendly with every other cat within a mile radius, so fleas were a problem. It doesn't matter how careful you are, the little devils will bag a lift on the cats. Foggers were a Godsend for us. I bought 4 and did every room the cats went in...... have to admit I got a bit obsessed. We now just have 1 puss left, but no fleas.

I find frontline no longer works, our fleas have apparently become resistant to it. Bayer, who make frontline, also make a similar spot on product marketed her in Denmark and in Germany as Advantage. The name rather points to it being intended for the English speaking market.

Put a piece of a flea collar or flea powder into the paper bag of your vacuum cleaner - this helps to kill fleas you vacuum up.

Wooden, concrete, tiled floors can be washed in a solution of soap and ammonia or vinegar. If you are using ammonia, put the cat out or into another room first.

Any clothing, chair covers, bed linen etc that can be washed on the hottest possible cycle should be as fleas jump, as we all know, and may well be lurking in the sofa or your bed.

Fur lined slippers etc. will attract fleas too. Put them wrapped in plastic into the freezer and leave overnight.

Good hunting!

Try to find time to visit vet. Fleas could be a cause of other diseases.

My cat has always had stuff from the vet. 3 different vet practices I've been to (with other cats too) said that they don't sell or recommend Frontline as the fleas have become immune to it.

You need to treat the house. Indorex spray from a vet is good.

You need to do:
the cat's bedding, carpets/rugs, skirting boards, cushion or anywhere that your cat goes on.

Some cats are really sensitive to chemical means to fight fleas. It can cause different unpleasant side effects so It's better to use natural remedies. Those insects can be scared off with the scent of such plants as peppermint, basil, wormwood, tansy, garlic. Cats don't like the smell of garlic too but it's better than pills. Herbal and citrus sprays are good repellents as well. Here is the article with all the methods of fighting fleas, both chemical and natural. All advantages and side effects are described there.