Fleas :(

[notagiraffe]

What can I do? I use the Broadline combined de-flea and worming drops once a month on his neck, but every time I comb him, (every day) I find live wrigglers. He is ginger and the fleas are usually black. Next door have two black cats, plus one who went feral from their house but still visits our gardens.

The DC have now been bitten! Ugh. I've boil washed everything I can, and hoovered and sprayed the carpets and soft furnishings. Don't dare spray mattresses as it may not be good for DC. What else can I do?

[donajimena]

I don't know about your moggy but when my house got infested I had to resort to the council. They only sprayed the floors but it worked. Every other home treatment I tried was in vain!

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

An easy way to catch a few is to put a warm bowl/cup of water mixed with a bit of washing up liquid in it on the floor in a room (shut the door so the cat can't drink it!). I've done this and for some reason the fleas jump in (the washing up liquid is so that they sink rather than skate on the surface) - I'm assuming they're attracted to the warmth and think its a potential host?

Also keep combing them out, I used to comb DH's cat about 3 times a day when his was bad.

It's been a long time since I've had to deal with fleas, sorry I can't advise more other than wait for more responses on here/see your vet.

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

Oh and when you vaccum, vaccum the mattresses as well and empty it in your outside bin.

[SoupDragon]

Spray your house with Indorex.

I would say the flea treatment isn't working. I know Frontline is largely ineffective now, I don't know about the one you use.
After a horrible Fleamageddon incident when we returned form holiday, I use Advocate on my cat and dog and we've not had a problem since.

[SoupDragon]

I've heard people suggesting you put a flea collar in your vacuum cleaner bag/cylinder.

[notagiraffe]

Lots of good ideas here. I use Indorex already. And Broadline is supposed to be the one to turn to now Frontline doesn't work. Hmm.

Like the idea of flea collar in the vacuum and warm water bowl. I'll flush the feckers out yet!

[notagiraffe]

I just boil-washed all the soft toys too. They're currently squashed in a row on the radiator drying. DS2 is taking them down one by one to groom their fur back to softness. It's quite cute.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I think frontline and broadline have the same active ingredient.

[SoupDragon]

It looks like they both have Fipronel.

[SoupDragon]

Fipronil

[Wolfiefan]

We use advocate.

[wallywobbles]

Google this

Diatomaceous Earth, The Ultimate Pesticide: Success, Hype, Glory & Legend | Eco Bug Doctor

Great stuff. Cheap, effective and when they lick it off they worm themselves. It will also do the house. Messy and try not to inhale, but read up on the stuff.

[RedOnHerHedd]

Advocate and Indorex spray from the vets.

[thecatneuterer]

I would use Advocate, Stronghold or Advantage. Fipronil has lost its effectiveness.

[MyBeloved]

Advocate for the cats, and Indorex for the house.

[notagiraffe]

Thank you. Will get hold of some Advocate. So that's better than Broadline is it? Got Indorex already.

[MyBeloved]

They are pretty similar to be honest. At my vets we sell advocate and so long as you are treating 4-weekly you should not have a problem. You will probably see the real difference once you treat the house as you only tend to see around 5% of what is in the home environment on your kitty :/

[MyBeloved]

PS: Indorex is great because it addresses the whole flea life cycle. Once you have fully treated the house, place saucers of water everywhere as the little Bastards will jump in if there are any left. You will then need to treat again if so. Don't forget to spray inside your hoover and your curtains too x

[SwearyInn]

We had same problem last year. Bathed cat to get rid of fleas instantly, powdered/hoovered all carpets and mattresses, washed all bedding then, most importantly, took cat to vet and got stronghold flea treatment. Has held them off for 6 months so far b