Fleas

I’ve just started (2 months) using a flea treatment in tablet form given once a month to my cat. It was recommended to my sister who runs a cat charity by her vet. Fleas apparently start to die immediately they bite their host.

It appears to work really well, there are no known side effects which is also good. There has been no evidence of fleas or flea dirt on my cat since I started using it. It’s called Credelio.

I don’t think you can do anything to treat outside.

I use food grade diatomaceous earth on the dog and cat, every few days, daily in August/September. I use it as a wormer as well.

I won't have commercial organophosphates in my house - too poisonous. I use a 'puffer' to treat their favourite resting spots in the garden, too. Fleas like dry, shady areas outside.

I still sometimes get bitten when I'm gardening as I forget to use the repellant!

I find it can be a good idea to vary the brand I use. It seems fleas become immune to the products after a while.

However read the label carefully, as some products only protect against fleas and lice, whereas others protect against ticks as well. There are a lot of ticks this year.

I have never been able to find a spray that was safe to use when you have cats - they don't seem to be sold here, so I wash all the floors in brown soap and ammonia and hoover thouroughly. Floors once a month hoovering every week.

I have a nitty comb and a roll of cellotape at the ready if I see one of the cats scratching. It's as good as a sticky flycatcher

I use a nit comb and a basin of hot water and drown the little beasties!

I don't get on well with sellotape but for those that do, it sounds a great idea.

I have a lamp 'fleacatcher' with sticky discs by the cat's bed. It's a very good indicator of any problems starting up.