Bitten to pieces :(

[Igetknockeddownbutgetupagain]

A housemate moved in with a cat. For a number of reasons, she moved back out, taking the cat with her.

Ever since, and for a good month now, I am being absolutely bitten to pieces. At first I thought it was mosquitos but now I’m pretty certain it’s cat fleas. I’m hoovering constantly and thoroughly, I tried the ant powder the landlord gave me. I’ve been trying not to leave any skin exposed but even with leggings and socks on I seem to have a new 2/3 bites daily as if they’re getting under my clothes as I sleep or in the time it takes to shower and change each day?!

Any ideas for getting rid, or am I going to have to pay for fumigation?

And would I be unreasonable to ask for the money back as it wasn’t my cat that infested the ruddy place

Ant powder??
Buy a decent flea spray on amazon and spray the whole house. Since you don't have a cat anymore that should do it.

Yup. Ant powder. Guessing it’s what he had to hand.

Hoover daily at least, go somewhere like wilkos and get flea powder and spray. Powder all carpets and spray all edging and any upholstery you have like settees.

Wash all bedding and clothing on at least a 60° wash and put through the tumble dryer if you have one. Make sure to pull out sofas to hoover underneath and the underside of your sofa

Indorex spray, can't recommend highly enough for stopping fleas, it is pricey but kills off everything, even spiders. Do make sure to follow the instructions and ventilate your rooms well as it is potent.

Could be bed bugs. If she was sleeping here and there previously then she could have brought them to your place...

Far more likely to be fleas. We've just had a bout of them.. Its painstaking but as above, thorough hoover daily, buy a decent spray from a vet or pet store and be methodical about covering everywhere. They say don't use the spray on your mattress but I did. Just do it in the morning so it has plenty of time to dissipate before you sleep on it.

Another vote for Indorex. Disregard the high price. You will spend far more on cheaper products in the long run because they won't work.

Indorex definitely. As someone else has said it’s pricy but otherwise you’ll spend a small fortune on sprays, powders and room bombs before realising it’s Indorex you need.

I had a similar situation it was horrible.
Hire an industrial hoover for a day and thoroughly wash the carpets, that's the only thing that worked for me.
Wash bedding at high temperatures. They will calm down in cooler weather

I’ve been wearing trousers for weeks now to cover up my war zones legs. Can’t let anyone come here just in case they’re attacked too...
Indorex and the carpet washing hoover sound like the way to go. Thank you

Have you asked the landlord to pay? My tenants contacted me cos of ants.

I happily arranged for a professional asap!

Why wouldn’t I? My property and they were great tenants (I would have done the same even if they hadn’t have been tbh).

Try flea bombs as well as indorex (a bit inconvenient as you have to stay out of the room for a while - you could set them off and then go to work????)
Even if you have hard floors hoover at least every couple of days, especially around the skirting boards and empty the hoover into an outside bin.

Indorex its amazing. Definitely worth the money. Buying the cheaper stuff is false economy

Ohhhh noooo! We had a flea infestation when we moved into our house. I kicked up a big fuss at work as when I was sitting at my desk, I came out in bites. I presumed they had fleas in the office but when rentakil came 🤦‍♀️ the lady pulled me to the side quietly and said there were no fleas in the office but judging by the look of my legs, we had a big problem at home. God, they are horrible little things. We had to have the house fumigated. Turns out I was their new host as the old tenant's cats had gone. It didnt cost too much, I was so glad to get rid of them.

@Igetknockeddownbutgetupagain i dont think they'd attack anyone else, ours were only interested in me. My dh used to shout "mummy's home" when i got in from work. I'd definitely recommend calling rentakill. They breed so quickly that if you have lots, no amount of hovering will get rid of them.

Indorex for sure. I used it once and never had fleas since (the cat gets treated without fail now).

I was about to ask about the landlord. As an ex-landlord they will probably be willing to pay and take it out of her (ex-renter) deposit unless they have given it back.

Totally agree with Indorex though. If ylou have your own pet, there is also a rub-on thing to re-inforce it. Really follow all the precautions. It is neurotoxic, so it's no joke

Get a flea bomb they are great

Definitely indorex!

We were given a chair once by friends which was obviously favoured by their cats. I had read that if you put a plate of soapy water on the floor with a night light in it before going to bed, the fleas are attracted to the light and drown in the soapy water. It was strangely satisfying finding the casualties in the morning, and after three days they had all gone.

@preloved
I did many years ago too , though I was told it was the heat from the candle that attracts them , I presume the fleas think its a nice warm body that they think they can sink their teeth into .
( unless you have a odd cross moth x flea in your area )
Anyway no matter why it works it just does.

Indorex & pay special attention to skirting boards & under furniture & beds: they like dark places.

indorex spray. www.amazon.co.uk/Virbac-INDOREX-Indorex-Flea-Spray/dp/B00GKHI2PW/ref=sr_1_2?s=gateway&crid=3VHXZ5B0MZMUM&keywords=indorex+household+flea+spray&sprefix=indore%2Caps%2C157&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1566732072&sr=8-2

depending on the size of your house, get one or two cans and properly go everywhere. Corners, under furniture, beds, cupboards.

Harmful to fish and other animals though, so keep them out for about a day while it does its thing.

also proper flea treatment for the poor cat. Advantage is the best one