Fleas!!!!!

[DianeSnizzy]

Hi Jen,

I'm wondering about both the flea bomb and the stuff you sprinkle on the carpet.

I've never done either and I'm wondering if they're safe? For example, what if you don't get up every single grain of the sprinkle stuff? Would it hurt the cats if it gets on their paws and they subsequently lick their paws?

Then, with the bomb stuff. Does that get all over everything in the house?

You would think in this day and age that the people who invented Combat would be have invented something similar to get rid of fleas!

[jenluckenbach]

I am not overly familiar with the carpet sprinkles. I would use the flea bombs. You DO need to be out of the house and so do the animals, but it sets off a mist that gets in more nooks and crannies than just the carpet.
Air the house out a bit (1 hour) before returning the animals. It should be safe. The one thing I would do afterwards is wipe counters off that would touch food.

[moosmom]

Here's a great site that I read about fleas and how to deal with them. Jen's right though, it's best to treat all cats AND the house as well.

http://www.fleascontrol.com/

[shais_mom]

I have had my bouts with fleas this year too. Kloe went to the vet on Friday and she said we have been having horrible flea season.
When I discovered mine I was looking online for natural - quick relief for the animals. I found:
--BORAX - the laundry additive - remove the animals sprinkle on the carpet leave over nite or for 24 hours and then vacuum up. I don't think the Borax actually hurts the animals it just is better for them not to be faceful of it on the floor. The Borax eats thru the stomach of the flea - killing them.
--Cut up a lemon - pour boiling water over it and let steep overnite in a glass jar.. Spray over animal (I used this on Keegan) she smelled like lemonaid!
--When you are combing the fleas off - dipping them in the hot water is good but add a bit of DAWN dish soap to it and it really kills them instantly.
----It also suggested using the Dawn as a shampoo to bath the animals. Someone wondered if it was too harsh but someone on my LJ site said they don't buy shampoo for dogs they make their own using Dawn and essential oils. I used it on all 3 animals with no itchy skin or flaking skin.
Good Luck!
this was the instructions for Pet shampoo made with Dawn - says it is mostly for dogs - not sure if it can be used on cats - But I'll ask:
This simple recipe will give your dog a beautiful, healthy coat and is much cheaper than commercial products.

1 pint Ivory or Dawn liquid dishwashing soap
1 pint water
1 pint apple cider vinegar
4 ounces glycerine (available at your local pharmacy)
Mix all of the ingredients together.
Double the ingredients if a larger amount is desired.

[shais_mom]

The woman at the vet said flea season is very bad this year cuz we haven't had any frost yet.

A couple years ago I was laying on my couch with Kylie on my chest and I looed up and saw things crawling on her chin - it was my first intimate introduction to fleas and it was Christmas Day with snow on the ground!

[smokey the elder]

Pardon the commercial, but I've had success with the Zodiac brand flea bombs. Just follow the directions exactly, and they work great!

[moosmom]

--When you are combing the fleas off - dipping them in the hot water is good but add a bit of DAWN dish soap to it and it really kills them instantly.

That's exactly what I did too! I love to see them little buggers fight for air. The fleas, I mean.

I bathe MooShoo and all my cats in Blue DAWN. It's the closest thing to their Ph.

The crew has stopped scratching, so that's a good sign. I never met a flea I didn't hate.

[LittleOrangeKitten]

The best way to prevent fleas and ticks without using strange chemicals is to add a tad of white vinegar to their water; usually 1 tblsp. per gallon of water. So - adjust according to the amount of water you put down for the cats.

I have been adding vinegar to Naranj's and P. K.'s water for about six months. I use a glass loaf dish (so P. K. can't turn it over) and add an 1/8 tsp. of vinegar to fresh water each day. I take both cats out every afternoon for a walk and I have yet to see a flea in the apartment.

[shais_mom]

The best way to prevent fleas and ticks without using strange chemicals is to add a tad of white vinegar to their water; usually 1 tblsp. per gallon of water. So - adjust according to the amount of water you put down for the cats.

I have been adding vinegar to Naranj's and P. K.'s water for about six months. I use a glass loaf dish (so P. K. can't turn it over) and add an 1/8 tsp. of vinegar to fresh water each day. I take both cats out every afternoon for a walk and I have yet to see a flea in the apartment.

I tried this with Apple Cider Vinegar - Keegan (GR) drank it no problem.
When one of my cats was at the vet - who also "talks" with animals - I mentioned me doing this and that Kylie wouldn't drink it she said "well yea - she is saying she isn't going to drink that S#!T!