Fleas/Frontline question...

There_Goes_Trouble

Still getting lots of live fleas off my dog and cats. It's been two weeks since I Frontlined, and one week since I found the fleas and sprayed the house.

Don't feel like I'm winning at the moment.

I flea-combed one of my cats for ages this morning as he was in a good mood and was being especially complient. I got about a dozen live fleas off him. One thing just occurred to me, should I be keeping him indoors while he's got fleas? He could be re-infesting himself from somewhere outside.... my other cat doesn't go out at the moment anyway but he does. I didn't think of this before but as I don't know which of them brought the fleas in or where they came from, it could be that he's going back to a flea den somewhere and bringing more home. Also, he could be passing them on.... there are a lot of cats around here, I strongly suspect that my neighbours don't worm or flea treat, and I know my boy likes to go and visit them (and steal their cat food...).

I'm going to buy some more Acclaim today ready to re-spray the house when I next flea treat, I was also thinking of getting some Advantage to use instead of Frontline.... what do you think?

Fire_Fox

You wouldn't be seeing this many live fleas unless it was your home that was still infested and/ or the Frontline was ineffective IMO. Did you end up Acclaiming the areas you missed last time? You really do need to be incredibly thorough moving every stick of furniture, every corner and crevice, hard floors, sofas, bed and carpets.

rita-rabbit

Frontline does not work any more - that's why everyone is saying these days. Get the vet to inject the cats or get a long life collar (Seresto) & blitz the house - will give you some respite in terms of constantly on the lookout for deals on monthly flea treatments.

There_Goes_Trouble

I did all the carpeted rooms. I can't physically move some of the furniture though, it's too heavey and things like my computer desk and wardrobe actually have to be dismantled to move them. I moved everything I could though and I did the sofa etc, even turning it upside down to spray the base. My kitchen is tiled and is grouted right up to the edges, no nooks/crannies. I don't have any curtins downstairs at the moment and the upstairs ones are short ones, not floor length.

Perhaps I should go to PaH and buy Acclaim there today and spray again today, rather than wait for it to come through the post.

There_Goes_Trouble

Can I use Acclaim on my mattress? The can says 'do not apply to clothing or human bedding' so I didn't do it last time.

rita-rabbit

I did & then put a mattress protector (cotton quilted) before putting the sheets on it.

rita-rabbit

waiting for the post is very moneysaving but not fast - your choice really. Pre-planning & buying is essential to keep on top of pets supplies - to avoid uneccessary stress really - or pay the extra & go to the shops/vets - again your choice.

There_Goes_Trouble

The collar has good reviews, but I am really wary of using a collar on my cats which does not have a quick release safety clasp.

There_Goes_Trouble

rita-rabbit wrote: »

waiting for the post is very moneysaving but not fast - your choice really. Pre-planning & buying is essential to keep on top of pets supplies - to avoid uneccessary stress really - or pay the extra & go to the shops/vets - again your choice.

I did pre-plan. I had a can and a half in the cupboard but used it last week. I wasn't expecting to need it again so soon.

Fire_Fox

There_Goes_Trouble wrote: »

I did all the carpeted rooms. I can't physically move some of the furniture though, it's too heavey and things like my computer desk and wardrobe actually have to be dismantled to move them. I moved everything I could though and I did the sofa etc, even turning it upside down to spray the base. My kitchen is tiled and is grouted right up to the edges, no nooks/crannies. I don't have any curtins downstairs at the moment and the upstairs ones are short ones, not floor length.

Perhaps I should go to PaH and buy Acclaim there today and spray again today, rather than wait for it to come through the post.

You must do all the hard floors and move as much furniture as possible - under the bed, all round the mattress. Maybe get the professionals in or get a strong friend or neighbour to help?

The house I moved into that was infested had carpeting only in one bedroom, one living area, bathroom and stairs. We ripped up the stair carpet, zapped the bathroom with a pet shop product, had boxes stacked in the living area so never went in there, no pets at that time. Still we had fleas everywhere, I caught them on hard floors by putting saucers of water down. :eek: Grouting is a crevice in my book, when you mop a floor a little water settles in and I am sure some eggs could too. It is a total PITA, I do feel for you.