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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

.....to consider shaving my toddler's back?

106 replies

LadyPlumpington · 20/06/2015 10:41

We have 2 cats and 2 children; the cats seem to have a constant flea infestation, despite the fact that we treat them (with collars/ tablets) every other week. It is the bane of DH's life, as they only seem to bite him and 4yo DS1 (the hairy people basically). DS2 (3yo) and I remain unbitten, thankfully.

Now DS1 is a rather hairy little boy, bless him, and the growth on his back is particularly luxuriant. This is where the fleas always bite him Sad

I'm tempted to shave his back, but that would be wrong, wouldn't it. Tell me that it would be wrong......

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyPlumpington · 20/06/2015 12:14

Hmm it's my own fault, I forgot to put 'light-hearted' in the thread title

He's not covered in them and I have been confident in DH's ability to sort it out up until now; clearly this was misguided, but I immediately asked you all for advice on how to address the situation. Short of beating my chest and engaging in public self-flagellation, I'm not sure what more you all want from me.....

OP posts:
Heels99 · 20/06/2015 12:22

...to treat the bloody fleas so your kids are not bitten! .....

pudcat · 20/06/2015 12:25

Just treat the house. 1 flea bite is more than enough.

bittapitta · 20/06/2015 12:27

Are 4 year olds still "toddlers" now? /missesthepointofthethread

Heels99 · 20/06/2015 12:33

It sickens me that the op finds it so amusing that her kids are living in a flea infested house. Poor kids getting bites because parents won't sort the issue. I bet the house is a bit of a state generallly, fleas living in th carpets absolutely gross.

Original poster
LadyPlumpington · 20/06/2015 12:34

Heels nah, now that I've received all this detailed and well-meant advice I think I'll just keep sitting on the sofa watching DS1 scratch his arse Hmm of course I'm intending to sort the problem out, I thought that was obvious!

Thanks to all for the USEFUL tips, they will be followed.

OP posts:
CaitSith · 20/06/2015 12:42

They're flea bites, not fag burns. Do calm down, people.

Original poster
LadyPlumpington · 20/06/2015 12:44

And I can categorically deny the grubby carpet allegations as it's just been replaced

Being serious for a moment, now is actually a perfect time for whole-house treatment as the carpet is relatively uninfested and it'll be more effective.

Making light of a situation doesn't mean you have no intention of dealing with it correctly btw.

OP posts:
Heels99 · 20/06/2015 12:45

Well you have done jack shit about it till now.
The carpets will already be infested even if they are new if your cats have constant fleas.

Original poster
LadyPlumpington · 20/06/2015 12:50

So do you not trust your normally reliable OH when he claims to be on top of a situation then, heels?

We'll do a proper whole-house decon, I think. Breaking bad style if needed (no sneaky meth labs though).

OP posts:
6cats3gingerkittens · 20/06/2015 12:51

Indorex spray and Advocate flea treatments are available from Amazon. Non prescription an cheaper than the vet.StarStarStar

Timri · 20/06/2015 12:57

Some people have no sense of humour.
I always try to look for the humour in situations, gets to you too much if you don't.

Kundry · 20/06/2015 12:57

As a general rule, when my DH claims to be on top of a situation, he isn't. Obvs not generalisable to all DHs but may act as a warning Grin

Your DH has been faffing about with collars and flea spray for how long? A quick google would have told him that this isn't the recommended way to do it and you've found out in a few minutes of Mumsnetting Grin

I'd be suspicious of the next situation he was 'on top of' TBH.

buntingbingo · 20/06/2015 13:08

Indorex flea spray is the best. Spray everywhere and get the cats some advocate from the vets. The fleas will be gone in a few days.

ElaineVintage · 20/06/2015 13:13

Get rid of the cats.

And then throughly treat your carpets as any laid eggs can stay dormant until next year and re- infest.

Original poster
LadyPlumpington · 20/06/2015 13:18

I have made DH read this thread and he is now busy changing all the bedsheets and wildly spraying something stinky which was specified upthread. Progress!

OP posts:
CookPassBabtrigde · 20/06/2015 13:28

Animals can pick up fleas from grass and prey, so it's unlikely to be next doors dog.
OP even if your carpets are new, fleas multiply so quickly that within days there can be thousands of them. It's a bit late now, but laminate flooring can help to minimise the problem.
It's best to nip it in the bud asap (though I think you've gathered that) as if fleas are on your cats for a long time they can make them poorly.
Breaking bad style, take no prisoners, get it done!

ReginaBlitz · 20/06/2015 13:39

Seriously get a grip, the regrowth will be corse and darker and ten times worse. Buy some decent flea stuff and do your house as well as its not the cat that's infested it's the house

Sallyingforth · 20/06/2015 13:54

Please don't shave his hairy back! It's lovely. One day his girlfriend will run her hands down it and swoon just like I do with DP

But I worry about spraying the house - it will kill all the spiders too :(

Cats are just a bloody nuisance!

ClashCityRocker · 20/06/2015 14:03

Hmm.
Maybe you should shave the cats?

Love little fuzzy kids, my wee neice was lovely and fluffy when she was born but it went away Sad

whois · 20/06/2015 14:28

They're flea bites, not fag burns. Do calm down, people.

I react very badly to flea bites. Mum had to be absolutely religious about the date the cats went to the vet for treatment as if she was a few days late, they got fleas and I would come up in hives so big I had to have time of school a couple of times.

ppeatfruit · 20/06/2015 14:36

Oh and do remember as some other posters have said that the fleas will be in your hoover , I'm normally quite laid back but when we had them, and even now, I spray the pyrethrum spray in the hoovers. That gets rid of the little buggers for good.

Well it has in our house you don't need to use nuclear powered stuff.

gamerchick · 20/06/2015 14:49

Actually while we're on the subject does anyone know of a house treatment that isn't toxic to reptiles? I meant to ask at the vets but forgot about it.

Would like to know just in case. Ty Smile

ppeatfruit · 20/06/2015 15:08

gamerchick I just looked at my pythrethrum spray. It says to cover aquariums and terrapin enclosures but doesn't mention lizards, probably best to cover their cages I suppose .

gamerchick · 20/06/2015 15:15

many thanks peat it's for a snake and it's quite hard to find something that can be used. I may have to decant him to the parentals if it ever comes up.. I'm sure the mothership will be thrilled Grin

I'm assuming if it's fine to use around fish it may be ok for reptiles I'll have a look.