I’ve got fleas!

[Fleasies]

For years, I’ve not used flea treatment on my cats because I’ve not had to. We live a fair distance from our nearest neighbours and they’ve not got pets, and no other animals have been in our house - but we do have an assortment of wildlife passing through the garden and the garden of the derelict house next door had a fox den over the summer where I assume the fleas have come from.

They’ve all had spot on treatment 2 weeks ago, I’ve sprayed the house with Indorex, hoovered like mad, washed everything as best I can (see question below), and now have some diatomaceous earth around the carpeted bits of the house and under/on the sofa under some dust sheets in an attempt to eradicate the fleas quickly through a variety of means.

The main culprit for visiting the garden of the house next door and bringing the fleas into the house has also been bathed and I’ve been combing him (and the others) multiple times a day but I keep finding one or two fleas on his head immediately when he comes inside - because I think he’s putting his head down some holes and the fleas are jumping on then. I can tell he’s putting his head down holes because he’s got a white face and comes back with some interesting grey contouring around cheekbones 🙄

So, for anyone who knows a thing or two about fleas, if he keeps having new fleas jump onto him when he’s off exploring, will his spot on treatment continue to work till his next treatment to kill any new fleas that hitch a ride and then take a bite of him or would I be better to get him a flea collar that I hope would have an immediate effect so he doesn’t bring them home? I’ve been looking at Seresto collars but can only really afford to buy him one this month after the cost of all the other things and I’ve got 5 cats. The others are homebodies so I’m pretty sure he’s bringing them in.

Also, as far as washing is concerned, I know boil washes are best, and I’ve used them where I can, but the sofa covers blankets and cushions won’t stand that so is a long wash at 40 doing any good, and is there anything I could add that would help to kill the fleas (like Zoflora)?

Cat tax paid: the culprit, finding the upended sofa the perfect spot to watch the clear up operation his actions have caused 🤨

Yes the spot on carries working after application. I never used to flea the Bengal either he only had fleas twice in 10 years which is odd be cause he fought with other cats and so had close physical contact.

You can indorex soft furnishings.

Good to know the spot on would work eventually if I don’t manage to comb them out first. It’s hard not to over react to the potential of our monster bringing home more little friends - the flea comb and alcohol to kill any newcomers is never far from my hand just now 🤢

I was trying to work out when I last saw a flea and I think it was over 20 years ago. We did take in a stray about 6 years ago so the cats and the house were all treated as a precaution for a few months but I don’t remember actually seeing any fleas.

I used indorex on the sofa base but not on the cushions. I can give another dose of the spot on in a week so will rewash and treat everything again then.