And to top it off....FLEAS!

[lolo1979]

So in addition to my house sinking, my husband losing his job, and my sjogrens diagnosis---we just discovered our two cats have FLEAS! It is our own fault really. Our one cat INSISTS on going outside and howls ALL day and ALL night (no exaggeration) to go outside. We got to the point where we couldn't take it so we just began letting him out and then back in at night. We put a flea collar on him but I knew it probably wasn't good enough. I guess I stupidly just hoped it wouldn't happen. Between having a newborn and a two year old and everything else - just didn't feel like going through the trouble of actively keeping up with flea prevention.  Agh!  So now we have to have our house sprayed and I am SO nervous to have those chemicals put in our carpet. They claim they are non-toxic once dry, but with the immune system stuff and two little ones, I hate to do it. but what else to do?  I feel like all the other at home remedies won't really solve the problem and would just create more stress than anything (which also wouldn't be good for flares.). Ugh. Any words of wisdom? Anyone else have fleas?  Geez. We are not dirty, irresponsible pet owners...even if that's how we feel now!

[Danielle28]

Once my cat got out (ONE TIME) and he came home, a few weeks later, we had flea infestation. It was horrible!  We used stuff we bought at Walmart and sprayed our carpets, and just left the house for the whole day.  Walmart carries a medication that can go on the cat's back that will kill fleas/flea eggs and prevent more from coming on. It only has to go on once a month.  It works well. They also make a natural one that they sell at Petsmart or Petco that is made of all natural products (cloves, rosemary, etc.) I prefer to use that, so if the kids are loving on the cats, it's not like there's a face full of chemicals. The getting rid of fleas is the hardest part. 

Spraying may be your best option. Then when you do get home, open up the house -  let it air out well. Also consider renting a carpet shampooer-  and using something like a vinegar mix to clean the carpet- it would make sure there is nothing remaining on the carpet (like dead fleas)... My little guy was crawling when this all happened in our apartment, it was horrible! My heart really goes out to you.

[Joe S.]

Be careful in what you use to treat for fleas. There are a number of cat deaths associated with over the counter flea treatments. It was the topic of discussion at Jan's Wednesday bowling league.

[jazzlover]

They can spray non-toxic Diatamaceous Earth (hope I spelled it right!?) .. then begin using Frontline on the cats.

[lolo1979]

Danielle- how long did it take to get rid of them for good?
Joe- Good point. I've been doing a lot of reading on that too and read that frontline is considered the "gold standard" for safety and efficacy
Jazzlover - your post intrigues me! wonder if pest companies would offer that or if we'd be on our own?

So we've also been vacuuming, dusting and laundering like crazy. But my thing is- where is safe to put clean laundry??!! I have built this up in my head and psychologically, there are millions of fleas everywhere and nowhere is safe!!!!  Beds, drawers, everywhere! All I picture are "hidden flea eggs" just waiting to hatch and unleash armageddon!

[Danielle28]

It was a battle but once we sprayed the house, we were in the clear.  Also with the D.E. (diatomaceous earth) make sure that it isn't the pool stuff, it's been super heated and has glass like qualities. If you're going to use it, make sure you use the organic stuff, but I have heard it works very well

[williak]

Table salt will kill fleas and their eggs.  Much cheaper and safer than chemicals.  Sprinkle it on the carpet and anything else where the fleas are living.  It will need to stay a few days.  Some how the salt kills the fleas and corrodes the eggs.  Works like a charm.

Kim

[newhorizons]

We got fleas one time!  When we came back from the beach our daughter ran to the bathroom in her white socks.

When she came back outside she said something was biting her on the legs...you guessed right! FLEAS

Exterminator came next day and first thing he did was go to our daughter's room where the cat stayed most of the time... He threw down a white hankerchief and stood back and waited and 3 or 4 fleas hopped on the WHITE hankerchief.  He turned and remarked the infestion wasn't bad. He sprayed the whole house and said for us to stay out of home for a couple hours.

Frontline now has a competitor. It is named Armor and is sold by Walmart and Sam's. It is about half the price of Frontline. It contains exactly the same ingredients as frontline does.

The vials of Frontline I use on cats is applied between the ears on top of head each 5-6 weeks. Have not seen any fleas at all though this summer have seen some ticks drop off on the wooden floor.  Frontline kills ticks also and flea egg larvae.

Cat flea shampoo is available and is probably your cheapiest way to go.

Hope this info helps.

[A66eyroad]

If you're going to try and shampoo your cat --- which would be quite an undertaking, and I suggest you first clip the sharpies off the end of her claws --- our vet recommends Dawn dishwashing liquid, the blue one. You soap the kitty up, wrap her in a towel and hug her for five minutes or so, then rinse out the soap and all the dead fleas. This will not be fun for either of you, but if you hold the kitty firmly by the scruff of the neck (not holding her off the floor or holding up any of her weight, just as a handle) you will be less likely to have either of you hurt.

Keep the kids away while you're doing this so they don't freak out.

Letting everyone put Avon's Skin-So-Soft oil on their legs will keep the critters from jumping on & biting bare legs.

[Happy]

we were away for a week once, when we came home kids had broke out a window and a wild cat wasliving inside,, in that week it infested our whole house,, fleas were jumping all over my legs when we walked in,, it was like a scene out of a horror movie,, had to rip out the carpet,, and get the house sprayed,, it was horrible

[irish]

When you take your clean clothes out of the dryer can you put them in big garbage bags and tie them shut good. This might help to prevent the spread.

You might have to store things outside the house in plastic storage tubs until you get the house done. Also, a dryer should get rid of the eggs and I would think that if you have questionable objects that can't be washed you could bag them and store in the freezer for a couple of days.

Might have to ask vet or google to find out other alternatives. Good luck. Irish