I found a flea on Madoc's nose!!!!!!!! ARGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Siwsan]

This, after me combing and combing the kittens and getting nothing. Then, this morning, I found some fleas on them, too!!! I immediately shot off a message so the new kitten dad can get a handle on this, fast.

SO, the boys got dosed with flea medicine and the kittens got bathed in Dawn dish detergent. Then I vacuumed and steam cleaned the den carpet AND furniture, pulled the furniture out and did the same behind it, and then did the same to the kitty condo and tree.

THEN I sprayed everything down with lemon water.

I didn't see a lot of fleas on the kittens during the bath. Regardless, several time daily combings for them AND the boys will be happening.

Now I'm wondering if I might be bringing some in on my clothing when I feed the ferals, since it is 'that time of year'. I'm going to be spraying that part of the garden with outdoor pest control. I never worried about this when I was feeding the ferals in an open area. Now that I'm trying to placate my neighbor, they are being fed in a side garden with lots of leafy vegetation. SOOO I'm going to start putting the bowls on the walk way next to the garden so there won't be anything to brush up against.

[Tetrachloride]

1. Shell No-Pest Strips ? Marigolds? Garlic ?

[2naSalit]

2. Yikes.

We don't seem to have fleas around here but we sure do have ticks. Not sure which is worse.


That was a lot of work to go through, you deserve a nap today!

[Siwsan]

3. And I still have to mow the back lot!

Although if there's no rain in the forecast, I might put that off until tomorrow.

[lark]

4. Tics are far worse and more dangerous.

Hey I live in FL where there are both, but the fleas far outnumber the tics. Tics are only an issue in forrests and bushy meadows and don't seem to be numerous here. Fleas are everywhere there's sand and in land near the coast in NE FL, that's everywhere. Feral cats with allergies lose their fur, they get so many fleas. We had to get some flea rx for one of the ferals we feed because he lost the fur on the back of his legs and his skin was very enflamed. He's much better now, inflammation gone and most of the fur has grown back.

[drray23]

5. here is a trick to test for fleas in your house

Take a small dish like a saucer and put some water in it with a drop of dawn dish liquid to break the surface tension.

Shine a lamp on it and leave it be. Overnight fleas will be attracted by the source of light and jump in the saucer. They will drown.
Each day you count them and can monitor if your efforts at getting rid of then worked.

[Siwsan]

6. I'll do that in the bedroom, tonight

I gave it a good vacuuming and will give it a lemon water spraying. If that looks good then the kitten can go up there tomorrow night and I'll set a light in the den so see if anything survived the vacuuming, steaming and spraying I already did!

The last time this happened, when I brought in the first litter, I SAW the fleas. I bathed them and combed them but was shocked when I gave Madoc his 2nd flea bath. Since he has a lot of white fur, they really showed up when I got him wet. I didn't see that when I bathed Arthur. Gwen has a white neck and belly and I didn't see any and there weren't many in the water. Hopefully that means I got a jump on the problem. I'll definitely be on guard, from this point on. Which is to say I've already given the kittens a post bath combing. Both came up clean.

I think I just got over-confident. Or overwhelmed. Or both.

[SheltieLover]

7. Glad you found one before it got out of control!

Prince Madoc is your canary in the coal mine.

What are you going to use on yard?

I've asked vet here & got loads of toxic answers, 7 dust, etc. & tried a couple of nontoxic repellants, to no avail.

Hugs to you & your fur kids!

[Siwsan]

8. Not sure what I'll use, yet. I'll move the food bowls before/if9 I spray anything.

I'll do another steam/vacuuming/spraying in a few days.

I'll be glad when the kittens are big enough for flea treatments. Meanwhile I know of some essential oil sprays I can use.

I was surprised that the bathing went as well as it did. Neither of them were thrilled but Arthur seemed 'OK' with the process, as long as the water temp was to his liking. Freya was a little more displeased. Just two scratches on my arm.

[SheltieLover]

9. I think 2 weeks is the magic timeframe for fleas

Glad the kits tolerated their baths well.

I suppose flea treatments for yard have to be nasty to kill the persistent parasites.

Vet even suggested I treat dog by rubbing 7 Dust on dog.

Of course, I have no intention of rubbing super toxins into dog's skin.

Ya, medical care here is pathetic at best.

[Siwsan]

10. Fuller's Earth is more of a natural substance

It's my understanding that fleas can't navigate it so they get 'stuck' and die. Same with sprinkling salt on the floor.

[SheltieLover]

11. Ty! I've never heard of Fuller's!

I have used diatomaceous earth, but it is rendered completely ineffective when it soaks up water. Every single day here is at or above 90% humidity, so no go.

I have used it with great success in other locations, though, & is non toxic, as it is ground rock. Very fine, like powdered sugar to human touch, but it is sharp enough that it scores their shells & kills them.

Thx again! Going to look up Fullers!