Fleas

[Electric_Andy]

Has anyone else been blighted by them recently? Apparently many households are suffering from infestations as it's been one of the worst years for them.

We've been trying to get rid of them for about 3 months now. Bug bombs, carpet spray, flea collars, flea drops and tablets from the vet for both cat and dog. We are hoovering the sofa every day to get rid of any eggs, but last night I discovered that they are in our duvet! Not loads, the odd one or two have emerged but that is too many. That explains now why the dog is going up to bed clear (after I've killed the usual 2 or 3 on him) and waking up with another 2 or 3 on him. We're going to wash and tumble dry the duvet (it's a duck feather one) at the laundretee tomorrow and see if that gets rid of them, if not then we'll have to get a cheap duvet until all is clear and then think about replacing our duck down one.

 

[ianrauk]

We had quite a bad infestation earlier this year with our cat. Even though he's an indoors only cat in a flat. We think he got them from the foxes and other cats that used to wander in to our common hallways when people left the doors open. It took a good couple of months of treatments and bug bombs to get rid of them.
We moved to a house recently so finger's crossed we won't get them again.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Yes I think cats are more difficult to control than dogs. our cat doesn't go far, just around the garden and sometimes over the fence but it seems the fleas are everywhere, waiting to jump on. Being a Chinchilla Persian her coat is very fine and very thick, and as trying to brush her for longer than 30 seconds results in lacerated limbs. Shame we can't get a sheep deep and just dunk her under

 

[ianrauk]

Our cat is a medium length hair so we bough some combs which seemed to do the trick. He'd sit there letting us comb him until he got bored and told us in no uncertain terms that he was done with it.

Just keep at it with the spray and the bombs. I can't remember what drops we gave him but they were potent stuff. We also used a steam cleaner. If the other stuff didn't get them then I'm pretty sure that very hot steam did. Not on the cat though

 

[fossyant]

We get the odd one on our long haired male ragdoll - they seem to prefer him to the other cats. Indorex spray is very good for furniture/carpets (Amazon). We can tell if there are more than a couple about as our rescue cat has a flea dirt allergy, so if there is any about his skin flares up. My daughter brushes the cats regular. All ours are indoor, although have access to an outdoor cat run, so could come in contact with other creatures.

Many drop on products are no-longer working. We get Advantage from an on-line Vet supplies - fraction of the price of the vets. Advantage doesn't kill the flea, but blocks the life cycle. Brushing and regular treatment works.

 

[Electric_Andy]

We get Advantage from an on-line Vet supplies - fraction of the price of the vets.

Thanks, may have to try some of that. The drops we have got from the pet shop and the vets don't seem to do anything, although I'm aware they aren't designed to kill the fleas but to stop the eggs from hatching. We have tried Indoorex and yes it is very good (and very expensive).

 

[fossyant]

VioVet is who we use.

 

[vickster]

VioVet is who we use.

Don't you need a prescription from the vet to use these online sites (mine charges something like £20 or £30 for this, reducing the saving quite significantly).

 

[Reynard]

I had a problem about a couple of years ago, where they were brought into the house by rodents - not the cats. It can take six months to get rid of an infestation as the eggs can lie dormant for a fair while.

It is imperative is to get something that kills the fleas. Anything like Bob Martin is utterly useless. At the very least, something like Frontline Plus or Advocate as a spot on (the bog-standard Frontline isn't as effective anymore), and then be very diligent about vacuuming. It is also worthwhile putting some insecticide *inside* your vacuum cleaner so the little bar stewards don't jump back out when you empty the bag / collector etc.

Also, don't forget to treat your pets for worms, as fleas are the intermediate hosts for tapeworms.

 

[fossyant]

Don't you need a prescription from the vet to use these online sites (mine charges something like £20 or £30 for this, reducing the saving quite significantly).

Nope ! Certainly not for Advantage - you put in the weight, verify it, and off you go.

 

[vickster]

Nope ! Certainly not for Advantage - you put in the weight, verify it, and off you go.

Hmm maybe that one doesn't need a prescription now? Never heard of Advantage

 

[Kingfisher101]

Thanks, may have to try some of that. The drops we have got from the pet shop and the vets don't seem to do anything, although I'm aware they aren't designed to kill the fleas but to stop the eggs from hatching. We have tried Indoorex and yes it is very good (and very expensive).

This is where you are going wrong, they are not good enough. Get Bravecto from the vets for the cats and spray with Indorex the house and hoover all through and concentrate on the skirting boards with the hoover. Wash all bedding on a hot wash and the cats bedding etc separately. I had this a few years ago and I was getting bitten so badly I was on the verge of calling Rentokil.
You have to get the best proper flea treatments from the Vet, Bravecto is the market leader. It is what is or, or down the line you will have to pay much more for pest control. Empty the hoover straight away and bag the contents and put it in the outside bin.

 

[Kingfisher101]

Thanks, may have to try some of that. The drops we have got from the pet shop and the vets don't seem to do anything, although I'm aware they aren't designed to kill the fleas but to stop the eggs from hatching. We have tried Indoorex and yes it is very good (and very expensive).

Its about £12.00-£15.00. Didn't you say in another post you had various properties?

 

[fossyant]

Hmm maybe that one doesn't need a prescription now? Never heard of Advantage

It's still prescription. It's what our vet issues, but at about £25 for three, where I can get it at £11 for 4 on-line - makes a huge difference with four cats. There is one treatment that is vet only - might be that you have ?

 

[vickster]

Maybe it's Stronghold
Problem is Harry has lost so much weight that he's getting a bit too much now (when I remember!)