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We frontlined all three (and they are already feeling better!) and just did the carpet and the sofas in the house as well as all the hard floor surfaces with Adam's Plus. The hubs also Flea Freebreezed the floorboards of both cars.
I've never had this problem before living above the ground floor! It's crazy!
I'll keep you all updated and thanks so much for the tips!
Does the Flea Febreeze say it breaks the flea's lifecycle? If not, you may need to do it again. It has to specifically say that or itwill only kill the live fleas, and that is not the bulk of the problem. The issues come from the possible 1000s that are on the verge of being born!
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Get in every crack and crevice you can. Flea eggs are extremely small and can fall in between couch cushions, under the sofa, etc. Also, I would recommend a flea comb for the cats. Comb them often and look for flea dirt, which is basically flea poop. It is dried blood that they poop out and leave behind for the newly hatched fleas to eat. It looks like fine black dots in the fur, and usually has eggs in it which are white. With a flea comb you will be able to see this as evidence that the fleas are present. You might also pull out live fleas - and they are FAST jumpers. This might sound funny but when I was in the midst of my bad flea infestation, I would sit on the bathroom floor next to the toilet and comb the animals, dropping the fleas, flea dirt, and eggs in the bowl and flushing them all away. My animals started lining up for the combings as they must have felt great
Also, do not hestitate to start attacking this problem NOW. Fleas multiply VERY quickly. And keep in mind that for every flea you see, there are 8 fleas you do NOT see. Also, many cats are allergic to flea bites. One of my cats started losing fur on her belly and was pretty miserable with her allergic reaction to the bites.
It is a TOUGH battle but you can win it. You just have to be persistant and work at it!
I recommend a flea comb like this...it is light colored and easy to see the fleas and dirt by contrast. I use the fine tooth side.
My 12 year old girl Gypsy also developed a flea allergy at the age of 8. It only takes a few bites and she starts breaking out in little scabby sores around her neck area. Didn't know what they were the first time it happened & took her to the vet. She got a shot, cortisone I think, and another med I don't recall & was ok in a couple of weeks. But because of her, I have to be extra vigilant about fleas. They really make her sick.
Oh, I forgot, the guys also got tapeworms from the fleas. Be sure to check for this also. You may see what appear to be raw sesame seeds around their butts, on their poop or where they sleep. There is a pill that you can purchase in the pet store, it is expensive, usually $25.00 for 3 pills but it is effective.
Is it okay to wait until tomorrow morning to vacuum again?
They spray product I used was called Knockout that I purchased from my vet. Following my vets' instructions I vacuumed, sprayed, then waited 15 to 20 minutes and vacuumed again. Also, when you're done vacuuming the second time, be sure to remove the bag from the vacuum and seal it up in a plastic garbage bag & dispose of it right away. Don't leave it the vacuum. Would probably be a good idea to vacuum again later on.
Depending on the level of infestation you have, you may have to do it all again, but I've always got by doing it once (using Knockout) and I had them pretty bad in 2011. It all depends on how thorough you are in the process.
Oh, I forgot, the guys also got tapeworms from the fleas. Be sure to check for this also. You may see what appear to be raw sesame seeds around their butts, on their poop or where they sleep. There is a pill that you can purchase in the pet store, it is expensive, usually $25.00 for 3 pills but it is effective.
Yep, that usually happens too. The tapeworm treatment I use is Profender, which is a topical treatment. A single application is all that's needed, and cost me about $20 the last time I bought from my vet. Don't think it's available otc, but I might be wrong about that.
We frontlined all three (and they are already feeling better!) and just did the carpet and the sofas in the house as well as all the hard floor surfaces with Adam's Plus. The hubs also Flea Freebreezed the floorboards of both cars.
Keep combing and brushing the cats - it's not like they don't love it, right? - and vacuuming. Good luck!
Ask your other neighbors if they have fleas. There could be a rat infestation in the building.
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Good idea thanks!
Again, thanks guys for all the good ideas and encouragement.
Any other way to know if they've gotten a tapeworm? That concerns me.
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