I had a relative with a flea infestation that took ten years to fix and resulted in having the carpets replaced the and house tented. Infestations make me nervous.
So, to prevent fleas, I would apply a powder that was 50/50 Borax and baking soda to all of my carpets. Once a month, I’d lay it down before we went to bed, then vacuum it in the morning. In addition, I was religious about applying the flea drops (from the vet - never the stuff from the store) on my animals.
When Texans were being overrun... we were not.
Borax is a very effective insecticide. I don’t know if you watch home building shows, but every once in awhile, you’ll see blue lumber. This lumber is treated with Boron (Borax). It’s resistant to termites, mold, and rot. Homes built with this lumber are less likely to have roach and ant infestations.
We’ve moved to an area that doesn’t have a flea problem and both of my cats are indoor, so it hasn’t been a problem here. But, if I were to do it again, I’d do 50/50 Borax and diatomaceous earth. (I only used the baking soda as a carpet freshener)
Diatomaceous earth has the added benefit of dealing with bedbugs. Studies have shown that feeding it to animals helps with parasites and fleas. (Chronic fleas in an animal is actually indicative of a weak immune system and a sign of ill health - unless the house is infested, then the poor cat’s just being overwhelmed.)
If I were in your shoes, I’d first do a spring cleaning (furniture out of the house, everything fabric washed, vacuum and shampoo carpets.) When you shampoo the carpets, dissolve Borax in the water of your carpet shampooer. While your furniture is outside in the sun, sprinkle it with the B/DE powder and let it sit, then vacuum it out and beat out the dust. Make sure you hit all mattresses, as well. (You can also make a Borax solution with hot water, then spray it on everything. Both will work, but the powder won’t damage water-sensitive upholstery.)
About a week later, start the Borax/DE powder treatment on the carpets.
Treat the cat with flea drops the same day. Give the cat 1 tsp of DE twice a day.
I do this process twice a year just because.
Incidentally, about a month ago, my son’s place got bedbugs. (Lord knows where they came from) The exterminator dusted the entire house with DE and had my son was everything with hot water and run each load through the dryer multiple times. (Dry heat kills bedbugs) The exterminator laid down a very fine mist of DE and ordered my son not to vacuum for 6 weeks. He even opened every wall outlet and light switch and tossed DE into the cavities.
Finally, there is one more ‘nuclear option’ - before you pay thousands for a tenting. Dry heat kills fleas and bedbugs. (I know you don’t have a BB problem, but it’s good to know that these methods work for that situation.)
You do the cleaning with the Borax and DE, then get every living thing (including plants) out of the house for three full days. Makes sure all mattresses are bare and cupboards are open. Remove candles and crayons and anything else that will melt. Jack up the thermostat as high as it will go and seal the place in. (The temp needs to stay over 100*) When you come back in three days, every insect in your house will be dead. August is a great month to rid your house of insects.
Hope this helps somebody! :)
One more important thing about the Borax/DE powder. You want a very *light* dusting. You can buy a DE duster for $10 off Amazon. If you can see it, it’s almost too much.
When you treat the furniture, some will remain in there no matter what. You don’t need to go crazy with the stuff.
I tended to put it on too heavily and it just wasn’t necessary.
You can buy DE at the farm and feed store. A 50# bag for around $20. 1-2 bags is enough to treat an entire house. I’d look for bulk Boron at the hardware store, but it’s not expensive.
For me, this was just part of my normal cleaning and I did treat our mattresses once a month when I did the carpets. (I just let the powder sit while I washed the sheets.)