Getting rid of fleas

It is not the end of the world to discover that your cat has fleas. But you have to take it seriously and take control of the problem. And prepare yourself – fleas spread so quickly that it may not be a five minute job.

It does not make sense to treat your cat but not your house. During the flea cycle, because of the time it takes for a flea to hatch up to the point where they can lay eggs themselves, only about 5-10% of fleas are actually living on your little darling. The rest of the crew is living in your house and yard, in your carpet, in bedding and toys. You have to treat the cat and your house at the same time to break the cycle.

Your number one weapon in your fight against fleas are the vacuum and the washing machine. Vacuum the entire house very thoroughly, paying particular attention to dark cracks and crevices in the floor where fleas and larvae could hide to avoid the sunlight. And don’t forget those corners and spots in the house where your darling likes to sleep or play. Wash all bedding and toys and hang them in the sun to dry. Buy insecticide containing IGR, which stands for Insect Growth Regulator. In short, it is birth control for fleas, it stops them from developing into maturity so they cannot lay eggs. Don’t forget to spray the backyard as well, fleas are very adaptable and can survive in sandy pits or on trees. You can use the same insecticide you used in the house or buy flea bombs or foggers.
There are many flea products out there for your cat, but I would suggest you talk to your vet or vet nurse about which one is most suitable.

It is quite normal to see a few new fleas emerging during the next few days after your cleaning. These fleas were in pupae stage during the insecticide treatment and were protected by their watertight cocoon. To get rid of these, and any other fleas that managed to escape your efforts so far, continue vacuuming regularly after the initial treatment, wash bedding and pets often and keep your cat away from other pets as to avoid re-infection.

Do you have any flea tips?