F L E A S update: it is NOT over yet

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Tuesday 30th

I am at my wits end!!
I did EVERYTHING that was suggested, treated the cats several times, washed tons of things, vacuumed non-stop, used spray EVERYWHERE, etc... .

But the fleas keep coming back! we are all biten all over our legs, even my sons tummy and my hubby's arms! The cats seem to be free of fleas; but the way it is now, they will get infested in no time

Today I bought the most agressive things: bombs! I will treat the complete house with it, will put the cats in carriers, and leave the house during 4 hours.......! I f that won't help, I will go nuts!! Well, I am already!

I am so down and nervous.... ; Where did I deserve this???

[GILL]

Sorry too hear. I know what you are going through. I am usualy the frist one bit.
We have had to bomb several times. Just be carful, make sure that all pilot lights are off (stove, oven, water heater). I am lucky in that my house is all electric and I have a disconnect switch out side. With our CREW we have several large dog carriers. So in some cases ther are two that travel together. WE try to make it a nice day out for everyone.
While we are waiting for the house we also treat with Frontline. We also wash all clothes, towels, ect. as soon as as posible.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Sorry too hear. I know what you are going through. I am usualy the frist one bit.
We have had to bomb several times. Just be carful, make sure that all pilot lights are off (stove, oven, water heater). I am lucky in that my house is all electric and I have a disconnect switch out side. With our CREW we have several large dog carriers. So in some cases ther are two that travel together. WE try to make it a nice day out for everyone.
While we are waiting for the house we also treat with Frontline. We also wash all clothes, towels, ect. as soon as as posible.

Sorry, but why do I have to put all pilot lights off??
And we cannot do it with the DVD-player, it is always on standby! Or do I have to switch electricity off completely What with the food in the freezer then?

[Catty1]

Lut - I am sure your freezer will be ok for four hours.

These precautions are so the fumes from the bombs don't hit anything that might start a fire. DVD players can be switched back on.

How expensive are professional exterminators in your area? Some have a guarantee, or will include a follow-up treatment in their prices. The cost can be worth it as they have done this a LOT - ask for references.

Call around - some even use less harmful sprays.

I think with Frontline, the cats have to be treated regularly. Wonder if it works on humans?

Poor you and Bernard! I hope you find the answer soon!

[Craftlady]

Frontline and Frontline Plus is made to use monthly. It's for ANIMAL use only and not on humans. Box says that loud and clear.

Skin So Soft from Avon (not the lotion made for bugs, same stuff more expensive because it says "for bugs") works great keeping outdoor bugs off humans. $7 bottle last a long time and your skin gets nice and soft in the process

[GILL]

CATTY1 hit the nail on the head. Most good bombs fill the house with a vapor that can be flamable. I shut off the electric becouse of the thermasats may spark if the heat goes on. And for me it's easy as it is only 1 switch. Pilot lights are an open flame so I would not chance it.
I don't know if you have any fish but tha tanks would have to be sealed, with ours I would run a long air line from out side to keep a positive press in the tanks. Needless to say that any food human or animal must be removed from the open areas. We would take the cat food, water bowls and toys with us.
I have used Skin so soft and it does work. When Ginger was with us we would keep a wash cloth in a bag with, Skin so soft, by the door, so that when we went for a walk we could give her a wip-down before going out.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

CATTY1 hit the nail on the head. Most good bombs fill the house with a vapor that can be flamable. I shut off the electric becouse of the thermasats may spark if the heat goes on. And for me it's easy as it is only 1 switch. Pilot lights are an open flame so I would not chance it.
I don't know if you have any fish but tha tanks would have to be sealed, with ours I would run a long air line from out side to keep a positive press in the tanks. Needless to say that any food human or animal must be removed from the open areas. We would take the cat food, water bowls and toys with us.
I have used Skin so soft and it does work. When Ginger was with us we would keep a wash cloth in a bag with, Skin so soft, by the door, so that when we went for a walk we could give her a wip-down before going out.

Okay!! I will turn off the main handle!
We don't have a fishtank. Lots of fish in our OUTDOOR pool, lol

Update from vet
He said I am doing everything perfectly! No fleas on the cats; and the fleas who dare bite them, get a lovely potion of poison. They all got their yearly shots too.
Zazou had to stay for 1 night though. Due to exessive grooming, she has lots of "tangles" on her tummy. As she won't let me comb her there, we have no choice as to have her tommy shaved...! Will be a cold winter for my fluffy sweetheart!

[critters]

Or do I have to switch electricity off completely What with the food in the freezer then?

The food in the fridge and freezer will keep itself cold for some hours as long as nobody's flapping the doors open & closed, but I wouldn't prefer whole-house bombing. I set off bombs in 1 room last year but finally ended up closing off the room, stuffing a towel under the door, and letting the miserable varmits starve for several months. That FINALLY got rid of them!!

LOL. Actually, I got a faceful of Advantage one time, and neither fleas nor mosquitoes would touch me for a whole month!! If I did camping or any of that I'd seriously consider doing it on purpose. Not in the face, maybe--it stinks!!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

You surely all think I am a bad catmommy, and that I don't take care of my cats . I must tell you: that is NOT true! Zazou must have brought the critters home from her "city-trip", and blesses the complete house with them. Due to severe personal problems, I didn' notice them scratching a lot until we got bites too . I don't get it why I didn't see them scratching . Guess I was to confident that those nasty fleas would never come to our house
I have to take the consequences now...
I "bombed" the house this morning. Please fleas, DIE, DIE, DIE !!!!

[sasvermont]

Some people are lucky and fleas don't hang out on their pets. I have had one nasty process with fleas, and I learned my lesson. I had to bomb my house, twice, the second time after 30 days. I had to de-worm my cats, de-flea my cats and also spray around baseboards and under sofas etc. It was horrible. I have learned my lesson. I use Frontline 9 months out of the year.


Lut, someday you will look back and wonder how you got through this.

Outside = flea territory

Fleas may be less invasive in your country, but there are everywhere here in the USA. Since I live in an area where frost on the ground is early, we do get a little break in the cycle outside. But inside the house, is 365 days a year, since I use my heat when it gets cold.

I hope the bombing thing works for you. It may take awhile and it may require a little vigilance for awhile. Got to get in the habit of applying the Frontline or Advantage stuff.

I feel your pain.

[kittykatharine]

Good luck with the flea battle. I know that can be soooooo frustrating...

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Yippie, no more fleas. It took us nearly 3 months to get rid of them

[kokopup]

Flea infestation can be a vicious cycle that is hard to break.

Frontline,advantix and all flea medication that you put on or give orally to your dog or cat really only kills those fleas on your pet. Even if you get frontline plus that has the ingredient that keeps eggs from hatching it doesn't make it to the carpet. It does nothing for the flea eggs in your carpet and furniture, If you wont to break the flea cycle you need to spray your house with Precor. Sprink Sevan dust on the outside in areas that cats or dogs frequent. You can also sprink Sevan in bedding areas. The Precor keeps the eggs from hatching. I spray with Precor every spring and again during summer. Once a year I add Malithion to my spray mixture. You can buy Precor from an exterminator. Flea powder is nothing but Sevan dust. Sevan dust is a much cheaper alternative that can be sprinkeled in carpet when you have active fleas.