argh! bloody cat fleas!

[MamaGoblin]

So we now have a cat flea population explosion in the house, despite no longer having the consolation of a cat living with us any more. (She had to be put down a week ago because of a stroke.)

I've had fleas in the house before, yes, but this is really bad. I think, because there's no longer a cat to jump on, they're really obvious (ie. on us) but also, this coincided with the weather turning warmer. I'm off to the vet to buy the super-strength household flea spray and have sprayed the not-so-good stuff we already have, and vacuumed yesterday. But I keep on encountering them. I actually had to pick one of DS's neck this evening, urgh.

I know they're not germy like cockroaches (unless you're living in the time of the Black Death, of course!) and like I said, we've had the odd flea incursion before - has anyone who owns a cat not had the odd flea bite? - but this is different.

Any tips? I'm a bit worried about spraying nasty poisonous insecticide in the house every other day, but I think these fleas are rather resistant and I don't know what else to do, aside from vacuuming everywhere (grr, hate vacuuming).

Hoover...hoover....hoover..... every day. Forever (or at least for what feels like forever).

We had a massive flea problem a few years ago. We had been away for a weeks holiday and our cat had been to my Mums for the week.

On our return of course , all the fleas (who were desperate for something to feed off) sensed movement and appeared. It was awful.

We treated the cat, sprayed the house a few times (used something called RIP fleas) and constantly hoovered, emptying out the hoover contents into the outside bin each time.

I meant to say in my post that until this happened we hadn't even realised that the bloody cat had got fleas.

In one week the house was crawling, or should I say 'jumping' with them

This is v good as non toxic BUT can leave the carpets a bit slidey in the beginning so take care on the stairs!

www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1122

Also, put a flea collar in your hoover bag as this will kill any fleas hoovered up

Hoover daily and empty hoover bag daily and put right outside

Sorry to hear about your cat being put down

Sympathies! When you get the spray for the house, make sure you do round the skirting boards and other ooks and crannies, as this is where they like to lay their eggs. I usually advise clients to spray the downstairs/ living areas before going to bed, then spray the upstairs when you get up and leave it for a bit, so you're not breathing in the spray. Also cover/ remove fish tanks etc. You shouldn't need to spray more than once as most good sprays last for up to 12 months! Remember to do a patch test on fabrics before spraying all over too.

If you have a vacuum with a bag, chuck out the bag after hoovering, as they can survive in there. They are hardy little buggers, but at least if you hit them hard, you shouldn't need to worry about getting reinfested with no cat to bring them back in Good luck!

Ooh, good stuff. Will look into that Scoosh stuff. And flea collar in dustbag - v good! I hate hate hate vacuuming, and I'll have to do this properly, ie. move stuff to get to all the edges of the rooms etc, but I can see why it has to be done.

Jooly - are you a Professional Flea Slayer? Or a vet?

Norbert - that happened to my mum once - on holiday, cats in the cattery and when they all got back they were mobbed!