Embarrassing question...

[LilyRose]

This summer is the perfect weather for.....FLEAS

We have 3 cats and 1 million fleas.

We are using every available method to get on top of the problem!

We have sparayed the carpets and furnishings, Frontlined the cats,and hoover everywhere, every day.

Does anyone know of any herbs/natural alternative we could also use?

Any (helpful!) replies most gratefully accepted...

Yours in desperation, LilyRose

[Jeanied]

Oh dear, I do sympathize - when I had 3 cats I had to call the pest people in to spray the whole house.

It sounds like you have done as much as you can to deal with them chemically - and you will need to vacuum up religiously to get rid of the tiny critters in the carpets.

The only herbal remedy I have heard of is lavender - made up into a spray after soaking in water overnight. But I really don't think it would deal with an infestation. It is a good idea to comb the cats with a flea comb regularly - especially around the neck and ears.

[Tomato Head]

I don't think you can do much more if you've treated the cats and the house but I would check the cats over and comb out any fleas that are left and do them again in a few weeks. I have heard that frontline is becoming less effective (I found it stopped working well on my cats) so maybe try a different treatment in 4 weeks time. I have switched to Advantage which is now available without a prescription and find that much better than Frontline.

[Incy]

I also heard that frontline is no longer effective as it has been over used. We use effipro from verbac which seems to work. Originally we got it from the vets but it is available much more cheaply online.
Having 4 cats I do empathise.

[Nicos]

When we were in tyhe UK our cats had 6 monthly Program injections.

I think it works by rendering the fleas sterile- so they can't breed. We also had to use Frontline to help kill them off.
Never had any problems after that.

You need to break the 21 day cycle of the fleas

Might be worth looking into the Program injections

[Jeanied]

Whoops that reminds me - Maisie is due her dose!

[tamsin]

You can use sticky sheets with a heat source to attract them (they sell little huts with bulbs in).

[Glutton4...]

I have a friend who works in a Vet Clinic - she recommends 'Advocate.' My Vet recommends 'Stronghold' which is what I use. That reminds me, I have run out...

[mandyballantyne]

\the eggs and larvae in the home need to be stimulated into hatching so that the household spray will work properly.

What spray did you use? Some only have enough into cover a 1 bed flat!

[LilyRose]

Wow, thanks guys!

I forgot to mention that I am combing them out every day as well :/

I had also wondered if Frontline was becoming less effective.......think I will change product next time they are due.

I had also wondered about lavender, will try anything!

Aaaaaaargh!

Thanks again, all comments appreciated.

[roitelet]

The only thing that will rid the house of fleas is something that the vet supplies. The stuff you get from pet shops doesn't work! I would call the flea man in if the infestation is really bad. I had it once and he had to come twice and then there were still bits of the house that weren't cleared but the vets spray put paid to them. It was some time ago and it was called Acclaim but hey have probably changed it now.

[tamsin]

Just wanted to point out that once you've used one product, you can't dose again with another before the recommended reapplication period otherwise you can overdose and the cat absorbs some - you're not just dosing the fleas.

[alldigging]

See a vet.

[Uber-Uncool]

We have 2 dogs and regularly doggysit my mums two dogs so with a houseful of dogs we have had our fair share, more than bloody enough actually.

The only way to eradicate them is to treat all pets and the entire home at the same time.

Hoover regularly as eggs live in the carpet and then hatch even when you think you have got rid of them. So be sure to keep on top of that. Pay particular attention to skirting boards, wash all pet bedding and scrub down all the places your cat rests/sleeps/plays.

Put flea drops or treat pet with preferred flea treatment at the same time you do all the washing and cleaning of pet bedding and keep up to date with your pets flea treatment. Dont let it lapse because you will then have to do the whole exhausting blitz of home and animal all over again.

[VirginVegGrower]

This summer is the perfect weather for.....FLEAS

We have 3 cats and 1 million fleas.

We are using every available method to get on top of the problem!

We have sparayed the carpets and furnishings, Frontlined the cats,and hoover everywhere, every day.

Does anyone know of any herbs/natural alternative we could also use?

Any (helpful!) replies most gratefully accepted...

Yours in desperation, LilyRose

Tansy as a herb is a natural defleaer or try tea tree oil. Both work well. Feeding pets garlic will stop the pests feasting on them. Good for us and Mozzies too.