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

[LadyPlumpington]

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

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

Or put him in another room that isn't being treated.

This is a wind up, there is no way that is really a yr olds back!

If you get a magnifying glass and look at the carpet you should see them jumping. But what happens is fleas lie quietly when sated, if you starve them for a bit ie no cats or people, you will see them when you next go in.

Can't believe you are all being so laid back - horrendous thought to me, fleas everywhere.

Yet another reason to ban cats. Fucking disgusting animals.

Do only cats get fleas then, Disappointed?

Id check what's he's spraying OP someone up thread recommended permethrin which is toxic to cats and I presume that's not how you want to gt rid of the fleas!

OH is a pest controller, for fleas they say treat the cat, wash everything over 60 degrees and spray everything else with a residual insecticide. Repeat every two weeks until infestation gone and then keep on top of treating the cats

Ok - cat fleas need a cat to complete their life cycle. So you are only going to sort this if you get the cars sorted. You need the more expensive flea treatment which not only kills the fleas but also sterilises the eggs - Advocate or similar - ask your vet. Indorex for the upholstery - and after you've vacuumed change the bag or put the Hoover in the shed as they'll just hop back out again.

*the cats sorted!

I had a fle infestetation in my house from the 2 cats was highly embarassing. Don't bother with pet shop brought stuff. I got the lot flea bombs, sprays, collars I even paid 320 to have place fumigated none of it worked (thankfully got money back on rentokil). Get advocate then but at vets (no where else) 2-3 cans of house spray. Kick all creatures and kids out. Blast every room paying most attention to skirting boards/edges of carpet. Hoover first. This worked straight away. I repeated every 7 days for 2 weeks, just incase. Not had one flea since! Keep up with advocate its worth it!

MayPolist - it's definitely not a year-old's back but it is definitely a 4yo's back! In fact he was 3.10 when I took that pic....

icclemunchy oh shit. It was indeed pymethrin and he's liberally applied it to DS1's bed, plus merrily spritzing it in the cat's direction whilst exhorting her to 'Begone, pestilent creature'. We'll keep an eye on her tonight poor cat! Exactly how toxic is it? Would she have to bath in it or what? I think I might need to take a rather more involved role in this matter.

By the way I have been unconsciously scratching since this morning. Damn flea suggestion

Flea bomb. Spritzing about is going to do no good and spraying it right at the cat is really cruel.
Im actually really hoping you are a troll.

OH said he's class the vet if he was you. Some cats are more sensitive than others but if it gets it on its fur it'll lick it off

Do only cats get fleas then, Disappointed?
Not a good diversion, I'm afraid.

This boy is suffering from cat fleas.

No cats = no cat fleas.

No. But when they also crap over other people's gardens, walk in goodness knows what and then share it with your kitchen surfaces and furniture, kill small creatures indiscriminately, scram small children indiscriminately and bring fleas in there's not really much good to say about them.

Indorex spray. Half the price on Amazon. Treat the. Redo in a couple or three weeks. Treat everything... All corners cracks and crevices, did furnishings etc. works a treat.

Proper flea treatment from vet. Advocate is good. Or the injections last 6 months although are pricey.

Hoover daily for at least a week. The vibration hatches them so you can zap them. If you have a bag less Hoover then do indorex the collection bucket. Quite satisfying.

Disappointed I agree with you.

I was responding to CookPassBabtrigde

I don't for one minute think the op forgot to put "light hearted" in the title. I think she's realised what a complete twat she sounds and is making it into a joke. Fleas is no joke your poor kids! Invest in some decent flea stuff, sort your house out and stop your kids suffering, ridiculous.

Is it genetic? Are the backs of your hands hairy, too? Because yes, you're being absurd. Get the cats and your house sorted out, properly.

Hoover vibration hatches them? I did not know this - how interesting.

This did start out light-heartedly - I'm not actually going to shave my son (unless he a) hits puberty and b) requests it) for heaven's sake! However, I do admit that I was unaware of the extent of the problem. Once I became aware, I asked how to fix it. Once I received answers, I said we'd implement them and also said thank you. Kicking people when they admit ignorance and fault is not especially constructive behaviour IMO.

Anyway. As I said before, it's been informative. Thank you for the helpful advice!

This isn't the cats fault, Disappointed, it's pretty easy to keep fleas out of the home if owners take action and preventative methods. Cats don't = fleas.
We moved into a house a few years ago during the winter and the next summer fleas began appearing out of the carpets. The previous owners had dogs.
But fair enough if you just hate cats and feel the need to say so. I can find plenty of good things to say about them.

Can't you get the flea contraceptive injection for your cats? It should totally get rid of the fleas after a little while. You shouldn't put up with fleas in your house.

Are you actually serious?
Treat the fucking fleabag cats get rid and upholstery/carpets. It's disgracefully lazy to shave your young child because you can't control fleas.

we had this problem with our dogs and the tablets and collars and shampoos and drops on neck didn't solve it. I had to flea bomb the house.

we bought spray cans of flea killer that are designed to go off in the house. we had all the doors in the house open exceot outside doors. All windows closed. duvets hanging on doors. kicker boards off in kitchen. and then you let off the aerosols. they are the ones which when the top is pressed they continiously spray til empty. we left the house for 5 hours ( taking dogs with us and making sure cat was outside). all bites stopped immediatly after this. we also treated the animals separately with shampoo and tabkets and collars the same weekend.