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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / September 2004Need Advice For Flea Infestation
Hi everyone. I've been lurking and you all seem to be so helpful to those who need advice and I really need some. For about two weeks now, our whole family has been miserable. We have an indoor cat (no other animals) who has fleas. It is getting worse. Our legs are full of flea bites, my kids wake up during the night scratching so bad that I usually give them anti-itch cream along with Benadryl (it's THAT bad). We allow our cat to sleep wherever he pleases. He will sometimes sleep with my husband and I, or with the children, sometimes in his own bed, floor, sofa..whatever is comfortable for him. Now no one wants to even be around our cat because we're miserable from the fleas. We lay on the sofa and see them jumping on us!! Today I went to the store and purchased a pack of 3 of the Raid Flea Foggers and we plan to fog the house tomorrow and leave for a couple of hours, bringing the cat to a neighbor's house of course. Does anyone have any success with the foggers? Should we also purchase the Frontline/Advantage? Any advice or suggestions are so much appreciated. I also vacuum the carpets every other day, wash our sheets and blankets constantly, bathed the cat in the Hartz flea shampoo (from Walmart, we can't afford too much right now) and have seen the fleas fall off in the tub. He snuck out into our garage a couple of times when the door was open and that is the only way I can see that he got these darned fleas. The cat is miserable, constantly scratching. I don't want to buy the wrong thing, so if you can help me with this I'd appreciate it. Thank you!! \ > Does anyone have any success with the foggers? I'm assuming that's what I know as a flea bomb. Yes, I bombed my house more than 18 months ago and haven't had a flea bite since. Should we also purchase the > Frontline/Advantage? Yes - once you rid the house of fleas, you also have to rid the cat of fleas and ensure it remains free of them. If it's an indoor/outdoor cat it will continuously be exposed to fleas, so you will need to treat it with a preventive such as Frontline or Advantage every month to keep them away. Any advice or suggestions are so much appreciated. I > also vacuum the carpets every other day, wash our sheets and blankets > constantly, bathed the cat in the Hartz flea shampoo (from Walmart, we [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > if > you can help me with this I'd appreciate it. Follow the instructions on the flea bomb to the letter, follow the instructions on the Frontline or Advantage to the letter and you'll be fine. One other thing, if your house is really badly infested you'll probably need several flea bombs and I recommend you do what I did - open up all the upholstery, linen, blankets etc to make sure as much surface area as possible is exposed to the mist. For example, if your couches have removable seat cushions, take the cushions off and prop them up next to the couch to ensure the mist gets right into the nooks and crannies of the couch. If you don't, you can be certain some of the little buggers will somehow survive! >Does anyone have any success with the foggers? Should we also purchase the >Frontline/Advantage? Any advice or suggestions are so much appreciated. I [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >Thank you!! We have a rental that ended up with a bad flea infestation a couple weeks after the tenants moved out. Probably eggs that hatched after they left..anyway we used the foggers and it worked like a charm. OTOH, I knew the house was going to be empty for at least 2 weeks or I would have worried about the safety of the product...be very careful with it. Treat your kitty with Advantage, or Frontline, or Revolution. It might also be a good idea to spray the perimeter of your house. You can actually bring fleas in on your socks/pantslegs if your grass is badly infested. Good luck. (Another suggestion is, your cat probably has tapeworms from being infested with fleas. It wouldn't hurt to treat him for that also) Sherry Sherry and Ashley, Thank you so much for your advice and suggestions. The family was up all night (again) with the itching and today I am definitely going to use the foggers/bombs and remove the cushions to the sofa (not something I would have thought to do so thanks for that advice). I also didn't think about the tapeworms. Do you normally purchase the Advantage, Frontline, or Revolution online or through your vet? I saw it was about $40 through Petco, is that about the average price? As you can tell I've never had a cat before so I have so many questions. I'll definitely be careful with the foggers. I don't want kitty getting ill from the chemicals. We may have to put him with a sitter for a couple of days just to be safe. > We have a rental that ended up with a bad flea infestation a couple weeks after > the tenants moved out. Probably eggs that hatched after they left..anyway we [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Sherry .... Do you normally purchase the Advantage, Frontline, or Revolution > online or through your vet? I saw it was about $40 through Petco, is that > about the average price? ...> Kittenluver, If you get Revolution, it will take care of both fleas and tapeworms, as well as ear mites or other parasites your cat may have picked up. Otherwise, it would be a good idea to treat for tapeworms if you treat for fleas separately. You have to know your cat's weight to get the correct dose. In addition to your other actions, I would suggest that you buy a flea collar and put it in the filter bag of your vaccuum cleaner. Do not put a flea collar or over-the-counter flea products on your cat. They tend to be ineffective and some are known to be harmful. We always purchase parasite prevention product from our vet. We have used Advantage and liked it. Now we use Revolution because it takes care of a variety of parasites, including heartworm, which we have in this area. Good luck. Annie >In addition to your other actions, I would suggest that you buy a flea >collar and put it in the filter bag of your vaccuum cleaner. Good idea! I forgot about vaccuuming. Vaccum, vacuum, vacuum and throw the bag away when you're done. That'll help as much as anything. Sherry > Sherry and Ashley, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > online or through your vet? I saw it was about $40 through Petco, is that > about the average price? A quick search of shopping.yahoo.com turned up Revolution for $30.39 for a 3 pack, plus whatever shipping is, on the other hand, a search for Frontline turns it up for a little under $20. Advantage is about $24 for 4 doses. So after you factor in shipping and convenience, $40 doesn't seem too unreasonable. > Sherry and Ashley, > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > from the chemicals. We may have to put him with a sitter for a couple of > days just to be safe. Mine were fine coming back into the house that evening. I let the bombs off while I was away for the afternoon and locked the cat door so the cats couldn't get in. Once I got backed I opened up all the windows and doors (I have three sets of ranch sliders) and left them open all evening until I went to bed (it was the middle of summer). Neither the cats nor I have suffered any ill-effects from it. Again, read the instructions on the particular product you buy and be guided by it. Most give very detailed instructions re safety. Here's how I got rid of fleas: I kept the cats out of the basement. I fogged the basement. I aired the basement. I then bathed the cats in a "natural" flea soap (contained citrus) and put them one by one in the basement. Then I vacuumed the upstairs like mad, sprayed with the Precor stuff (again, a natural product), and ultimately let the cats back upstairs. It was the flea year from hell, but it worked! There is a product you can spray in your backyard that will kill pre-emergent fleas. Again it is fairly safe, but I bought it and never used it. My cats continued to go into the back yard, but with the strategy I outlined above and continued vacuuming, I never had a serious problem again. I never used the Frontline products on my cats, and now after reading of the dangers (which I frankly suspected all along) I never will! > Hi everyone. I've been lurking and you all seem to be so helpful to those > who need advice and I really need some. For about two weeks now, our whole [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > > Thank you!! Okay, great advice and thank you!!! I'm glad you warned me about the Frontline. I didn't know about any dangers and I will vacuum, vacuum, vacuum lol.....no flea collars, but ok to put one in vacuum....takin my notes!! Thanks to all for the tips and writing them down in a notebook so I don't forget anything. KL > Here's how I got rid of fleas: > > I kept the cats out of the basement. I've read that if cats scratch themselves behind the ears, that's a sign of fleas. Don't all cats scratch themselves especially in carpeted homes where there are dustmites? My mom's cat is white and we check the hair frequently and never see anything crawling around. Do you have to check all the way down to the skin? >I never used the Frontline products on my cats, and now after reading of the >dangers (which I frankly suspected all along) I never will! Where have you read this? There have been many discussions of the dangers of OTC medications, Hartz in particular, but Frontline is considered very safe in the articles I have read. BarB Actually, I first heard of it on this NG. It seems Australia considers the products too dangerous and has pulled them. Frankly, I have little confidence in our FDA (witness the Hartz problem in particular) and if another country finds a problem, I pay attention. Google it in "groups" and you'll find more info. >>I never used the Frontline products on my cats, and now after reading of >>the [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > BarB >Actually, I first heard of it on this NG. > >It seems Australia considers the products too dangerous and has pulled them. > >Frankly, I have little confidence in our FDA (witness the Hartz problem in >particular) and if another country finds a problem, I pay attention. I did a quick google search, in groups, web and also news. I can't find any controversy over Frontline at all. Where did you see this? Is it possible you have frontline confused with Top Spot? Sherry >>Actually, I first heard of it on this NG. >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Sherry Apparently there is some concern over the agricultural use of Fipronil. The French believe it is decimating the bee population. Australia has a possible ban under advisement. A study in Australia in '96 reported a couple of possible allergic reactions ( blisters on the lips) to the Frontline spray from a vet using the spray in a confined area. Search for "fipronil" and "australia" and "ban". BarB >Apparently there is some concern over the agricultural use of >Fipronil. The French believe it is decimating the bee population. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >BarB Thanks, BarB. I was using "Frontline" and "Australia" and "fleas" and couldn't find anything. Sounds like the folks Down Under are much more environmentally-aware than we are. I"ll take a look on google and see what I can find. Sherry >Does anyone have any success with the foggers? The foggers should help considerably to kill most of the adult fleas, but they will not kill the flea eggs. Those are going to hatch out in the next few months and you may need to fog again. >Should we also purchase the Frontline/Advantage? Absolutely, the life cycle of the flea can only be broken completely when they return to the animal for a meal of blood. Even human blood is not adequate for breeding. You must use Advantage, Revolution, or Frontline for a number of months until all the eggs have hatched out. Flea eggs can live in floor crevices, carpets, furniture for many, many months. One flea dermotologist http://www.vetmed.iastate.edu/services/vth/clinical/derm/flea/fleaold.html recommends one of the above products for quick knockdown, plus maintenance flea control with Program, which prohibits flea breeding. BarB >>Does anyone have any success with the foggers? > > The foggers should help considerably to kill most of the adult fleas, > but they will not kill the flea eggs. Those are going to hatch out in > the next few months and you may need to fog again. Not true. Buy products that specifically say they will kill eggs and larvae and will continue doing so for some months. Mine claimed to continue being effective against emerging adults for 12 months. That I have not had a flea problem again in the 18 months since I used it suggests that claim was valid. >>>Does anyone have any success with the foggers? >> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >problem again in the 18 months since I used it suggests that claim was >valid. You're right, the fogger may contain an insect growth regulator. The animal dermatologist at Iowa State has the following to say about the use of foggers. http://www.vetmed.iastate.edu/services/vth/clinical/derm/flea/fleaold.html Foggers (aka, bombs, aerosols): Foggers are basically insecticides or insect growth regulators in a pressurized can. Foggers may contain one or more of several active ingredients. Activation of the fogger releases the material in a mist or fog, which the dissipates over the immediate area. Foggers do not penetrate well, nor do they deliver the ingredients under objects like beds, couches, chairs, area rugs, etc. This lack of adequate penetration, in my opinion, makes the fogger an inadequate product for flea control. The place where foggers can be useful is a large open area, such as an unfinished basement or garage. Be sure to read the label for warnings and instructions for proper application. Foggers come in various sizes intended for varying areas (square or cubic feet), so read the label and get a fogger that is appropriate for your area! The most efficient use of foggers requires that the appropriate size is applied in several areas of a house. BarB In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav", BarB <pattist@earthlink.net> artfully composed this message within <news:aptok0h2vr1vv2ne03slrea4427imginfq@news.east.earthlink.net> on 18 Sep 2004: > The place where foggers can be useful is a large open area, such > as an unfinished basement or garage. Be sure to read the label [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > requires that the appropriate size is applied in several areas > of a house. In addition, according to the pest control group I read, the chemicals commonly used in foggers aren't residual, so they have to be used several times to kill new hatchings.  SignatureCheryl > The place where foggers can be useful is a large open area, such as an > unfinished basement or garage. Be sure to read the label for warnings [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > use of foggers requires that the appropriate size is applied in > several areas of a house. Indeed - I used three in my house: one in the open-plan living area downstairs, one in the second living area/study, and one upstairs for the landing and two bedrooms. As well as lifting all cushions off my couches and propping them up to ensure as much of the furniture was exposed as possible, I stripped my beds and hung the blankets over the bed ends, ensuring the mattresses were exposed (it was waking up to being bitten by a flea that finally spurred me into action!) If you use them correctly and ensure you follow up with continued flea prevention, they most definitely do work. I haven't had a problem since. Get your cat on one of those expensive vet flea drops. Front Line or whatever it is. The wife's in charge of keeping our cat healthy and the like, so I don't know the name of the blasted stuff. It really works, though. It was the only thing we found that dad. IBen Getiner > Hi everyone. I've been lurking and you all seem to be so helpful to those > who need advice and I really need some. For about two weeks now, our whole [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > the house tomorrow and leave for a couple of hours, bringing the cat to a > neighbor's house of course. I don't know the active ingredient of those flea foggers, but I do know one thing... If it doesn't contain an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) then you'll have to do it every couple of months with no real relief. > Does anyone have any success with the foggers? Should we also purchase the > Frontline/Advantage? Any advice or suggestions are so much appreciated. I [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Thank you!! I hear good things about those drops you put on dogs and cats... but the real problem is the infestation inside your home... the cat is just compounding the problem. Here's what I suggest: 1) Consider if any of your family members have allergies. If so, don't do this yourself, but hire a professional exterminator. 2) Dip the cat! 3) Go ahead and use the fogger(s) [make SURE you follow the label directions EXACTLY]. This will provide SOME relief. 4) Wash all bedding. 5) If your fogger doesn't contain an Insect Growth Regulator labeled for fleas, go find something that does or you will never get relief. Insect Growth Regulator Insects, similar to snakes and lizards, must shed their skin to grow. Each stage between shedding is called an instar. Insect growth regulators are phermones which prevent the molting of insects they are labeled for. If an insect cannot molt, it's insides keep growing until finally it's crushed in it's own skin or the skin splits open violently - spilling the bug's guts. Also, most Insect Growth Regulators steralize the female of the target insect, stopping the re-infestation process. Two bad things: Most are oil-based and may stain. Also, at least with roaches, IGR's cause the insects to feed more heavily... which may mean more bites (not sure for fleas). For more info try alt.consumers.pest-control >2) Dip the cat! Oh gad no. Please don't dip the cat. Cats by their nature just aren't good candidates for dipping...I don't think the products are probably all that safe anyway, for you OR the cat. Advantage is just so easy, so effective. Or Frontline or Revolution, if you prefer. Way easier than dipping. Sherry > I don't know the active ingredient of those flea foggers, but I do > know one thing... > If it doesn't contain an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) then you'll > have to do it every couple of months with no real relief. They should be labelled with their expected length of effectiveness. I had the choice between one with no length of time on it, one claiming effectiveness for 9 months and one claiming effectiveness for 12 months. I went for the latter and it worked. > 1) Consider if any of your family members have allergies. If so, > don't do this yourself, but hire a professional exterminator. Depends on the allergies and your ability to open the treated area up to ventilation afterwards. I have hayfever and a slight cat allergy, and I treated my house in high summer. However, my house is also full of ranch sliders and windows, so I was able to open it up completely and ventilate it for several hours after I came back. I experienced no allergy problems. |
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