Posted on 10/25/2014 4:11:02 AM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
Help Freepers! How can we effectively completely eliminate fleas from the house. We are getting rid of the cat immediately. A long time ago, one could buy Lindane, but I believe that has been banned. Would appreciate any advice on how to rid the house permanently of the little buggers. To save you words, I already know about he egg cycle thing from previous experience. Just can't find any Lindane.
Borax. Spread it into all the corners, esp. around doors, and if you have carpet, sweep it into the carpet. The crystals will cut into the exoskeletons and kill them.
You could also try Demon WP which is an incredibly potent insecticide, but I wouldn’t recommend spraying your carpets if you have toddlers or other pets.
In before the first “You could burn it down” post...
You will have to bomb it with insect bomb several times without you and yours in that house. You will also have to get the fleas off of the source, dogs or cats?
They have some great products at the vets in a can that you can use after the bombing.
You have to kill the eggs or you will still get fleas.
Ugh. I’d get rid of the fleas and keep the cat.
Poor kitty.
j/k. ;)
Also, why are you getting rid of the cat? A flea dip, some flea medication, and a flea collar worn for about 6 weeks will ensure that kitty is free of them.
Diatomaceous earth (Shell flour) is another non toxic bug controller that works the same as Borax.
ROFL! Yeah, subconscious at work, probably.
Do you mean diatomaceous earth?
We began Advantage treatment (Google Advantage and Fleas), took them out of the house to a local park (used carriers), but before we left we prepped the house and bombed it with pesticide. Follow the directions thoroughly. We stayed out of the house for the recommended time and came back later. We continued the Advantage treatment and the fleas were permanently eliminated. Also, the cats were strictly indoor after that because they can pick up too many pests and diseases outside.
Borax as the other poster said or DE powder. It’s ground up sea shells so no chemicals.
Removing the cat will have them jumping on and biting you, be prepared for that.
Some will suggest diatomaceous earth but it’s fine and does become airborne, so using it in carpets and such, spread around on the floors of an occupied dwelling, can create problems. It will eventually kill insects including fleas by desiccation but there are issues with dust, breathing and intake filters for climate control.
Vacate the house for a few days and have a pest service fog/gas the interior. Vacuum very frequently after you return. You may need to repeat the treatment. Over time you’ll have them gone but a heavy infestation takes effort to completely remove.
If the cat spent much time outdoors there may be a problem there, too.
DE.....DE
Borax and diatomaceous earth are not the same, but yes, they have the same principal purpose as a mechanical pesticide.
Keep the cat indoors and treat with Advantage a couple of months. Poor kitty. And as other posters have said- Borax in a salt shaker all over the house. I once bombed twice in a heavily infested rental amd Borax is what did the trick. And we kept our cats who were under siege.
Cat is going to be gone. Can't give them away. He is a real nice cat, but he has to go. Sorry.
Go to a vet and buy something called “Fleabusters”
It’s something like 60% ortho-yada-boric acid.
Years back I had an infestation and about two tablespoons spread on the carpet wiped em!
Diatomaceous earth works great and is inexpensive as well.
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