Question about flea infestation and drop treatments?

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  • #843085
    Elise
    Participant

    Hello! I posted a month or so ago about how my 9 month old cat Koba had a bad case of fleas. I followed the advice given to me (thanks again!) by using a drop treatment (Frontline), using flea spray, and vacuuming regularly. This seemed to work and life went back to normal for awhile.

    This past week, however, I noticed Koba itching and biting himself pretty badly along with flea droppings everywhere (about a week before the next drop treatment was due). We waited a few days and then administered his next treatment. Since the treatment is supposed to continue working for 30 days, will it eventually kill out all of the fleas? It says the fleas will die as soon as they jump onto him, and eventually they’ve all gotta eat, right? I’m vacuuming every day as well to try and get the eggs and larvae out of the carpet as well as washing bedding. The reason I’m asking this is because my parents don’t want to use foggers or sprays unless it’s absolutely necessary, and they’re hoping just the treatment continuing to work as well as constant vacuuming will be enough to rid the infestation. I don’t think it’s too bad anyways, as he sleeps with me every night and I haven’t noticed any bites on myself. If you’ve taken the time to read this, thank you.

    #843090
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hi Elise,

    I glad to hear from you and Koba. I agree with your parents that foggers are a bit extreme. The process of flea removal can be a long one but if you don’t have any bites then it’s working. Vacuuming is the best thing you can do to pick up the fleas and larvae at one time. Just make sure you change the bag or shake out the dust bin after each use. Another tactic is getting some diatomaceous earth from the local natural pet store in town. It’s meant to dry out the flea bodies and larvae. It is safe in and outdoors. You sprinkle in the carpet, let sit for a couple of hours and then vacuum it up. Diatomaceous earth is natural and inexpensive.

    #843094
    Kittyzee
    Participant

    Hi Elise, PG gave good advice about the DE, it’s natural and it works. And for many other pests besides fleas. I haven’t had good luck with Frontline lately, the fleas have built up a resistance to it and like you said, it only lasts for a couple of weeks. I switched over to Advantage II for my cats when needed. They are all inside cats and occasionally I do have to treat them as I think we bring fleas inside on our clothes. I haven’t seen fleas on them since I used the Advantage, but I have one outside cat that in the spring thru fall I use it on. It works almost immediately, and he is visibly relieved. There is also a spray. Do some searching online for these products as they are much cheaper ordering online than getting them through your vet. Don’t use Hartz products however, as many feline deaths have been reported with their products. I hesitate to give you online sites and I don’t want to promote one over the other, but the prices vary from one site to the other–along with free shipping. There is also a product that we use (we have a farm and did have a dairy) that was recommended to us for flies. But this stuff kills fleas in the house along with spiders, ants, etc. and it is odorless. The name is TEMPO and you can apply it to where the floor and walls meet (that’s where fleas hide) and it lasts for a LONG time. That will kill the fleas that are multiplying and then they won’t get on you or your cat.

    #843138
    Elise
    Participant

    Thank you everyone

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