Flea collars dont seem to be working!??

Question

I put flea collars on my cats a couple weeks ago and they are still scratching. I am still finding live fleas on them as well.
Why arent they working?

Answer 1

Flea collars just simply don't work much beyond the neck area. Advantage is a better choice. It is fairly in-expensive on ebay. Fleas are more than just an itchy nuisance, fleas are a health hazard to animals and humans alike. They carry diseases also. It's not only kind but important to keep pets fleafree.

Answer 2

Like the other people have said, use a topical flea treatment. You can buy Advantage without a prescription at Petco or Petsmart. It costs more then flea collars, but, it works! You will have to go through about 2-3 cycles until all the fleas become sterilized and die out. Be sure to stick the cats in a bathroom for an hour after a dose (at the scruff of their neck, where they can't lick). Good luck!

Answer 3

1. Get rid of the flea collar. It is basically nasty stuff constantly in the face. They don't work very well either.
2. Every time you vacuum take the vacuum outside as the fleas just crawl back out of it.
3. If you can give your cats a bath use one that has eucalyptus oil or one that is recommended for cats and fleas.
4. go buy a couple of boxes of 20 Mule Team Borax.... on the laundry soap aisle usually on the top shelf. Remember this is not a soap it is a laundry soap softener. Straight 20 Mule Team Borax. Is not hazardous to any one but fleas.
5. Purchase eucalyptus oil and cotton balls.
6. sprinkle borax on the carpet, every inch of it and use your broom to sweep it into the carpet, make sure to sweep it into the crack along the wall.
7. Take the eucalyptus oil and apply 5 or 6 drops onto the cotton ball. Place the cotton balls under your mattresses, seat cussions, in the cracks in your chairs and recliners, under your furniture that is close to the floor, etc...
8. Ask your local vet what they recommend for topical flea treatment. A lot of vets have a really good deal for it. (6 cats, 1 large dog costs me $18 per month)

Every time you vacuum over the next month re-apply the borax but not as heavy as the first time and please take your vacuum outside.

In a month all of a sudden you wont be seeing any fleas at all.
Heres the reason why. 20 Mule Team Borax dries out the carpet and freshens it too. Because it dries it out the flea eggs crack as the moisture is pulled out of them too. It takes 3 to 4 weeks to completely break the cycle.
The eucalyptus oil is a major bug deturant. Fleas can't stand it and leave the areas where they find it.

Answer 4

If I were you i'd supply the dogs a flea bath and then as quickly because it really is dry placed a product like income or Frontline. you will get those issues on the vet. Walmart has similar products yet do not waste your money. Flea collars do not guard the entire body and that i have discovered fleas lower than a flea collar. And the better component of the products from the vet is it also guard the dogs from ticks and roundworms.

Answer 5

You have to break up the cycle of the fleas hatching and jumping back on the cat. Try to use a bug bomb when all of your pets are gone for a few hours. Vacuum your house everyday and dump the bag outside in the garbage so you won't bring fleas and their eggs back into the house.

What I use is something called SEVEN, a garden dust. It is safe on cats, but dust them outside so you won't be breathing in the dust. Also the fleas will be fleeing the cat.
Another thing I use is a cake pan with a little bit of water in it and one drop of dish soap. Place this pan behind a couch or chair, and use a small nightlight by it. The fleas will go to the light at night when it is quiet in the house, jump into the water, and drown.

Answer 6

For the flea collars to work, the fleas have to walk to that area in order to contact the poison. If you use a topical flea control, like Advantage, the fleas will die with simple skin contact. You may also need to treat your home. Fleas will often get into the rugs and furniture.

Answer 7

BEWARE!! Flea collars can be dangerous on cats. They can get a bad reaction from the chemicals, so please check you cat's neck. If it is red or irritated, remove the collar immediately. Also, don't use the flea drops they sell in supermarkets or pet stores; they can also be bad for cats.

I use Frontline Top Spot on my cat. I get the prescription from my vet and apply it once a month. My cat hates it, but it works. It also protects against ticks, which some other brands do not.

Answer 8

here is a tip that I have learned over the years .. and it may make you laugh... firs of all .. toss the flea collar in your vacume bag it works better in there than on the cat... the fleas live all over the cat not just on the neck.... and when you vacume the fleas live in the vacume just waiting to reinfest your house so if you have a collar in your bag you kill those fleas...

now on to your cat... if you can hold the cat by the scruff and give the cat a bath with DAWN dish liquid... it kills fleas... (not flea eggs) once dry apply frontline from either an online supply place or your local vets office... if you keep frontline on your cat at least ever other month you will not have another flea problem.

Your flea problem will be gone in 24 hours with this method. it never fails. but you have to do the dawn bath and the collar in the vacume and vacume the floors and apply frontline or advantage for that to happen.

DO NOT USE OVER THE COUNTER FLEA DROPPS IT CAUSES seizures and death in many cats I have seen it many times in the private practices I have worked for! always use FRONTLINE or ADVANTAGE ONLY

Answer 9

Flea collars are a waste of money, in my opinion. The best thing to do is give the cat a flea bath then put some Frontline on them. You can get it from your vet. If you use Frontline Plus it also protects them against earmites and worms.
Over the counter drops are better then the collars but don't use Hartz...there has been reports of cats that have died from their use.

Answer 10

flea collars only work around the neck and are a total waste of money . u need a 3 and 1 flea and tick spray now u have fleas and eggs in your house it needs to be treated as well this is a very good yr for the flea bad yr for the rest.. they are very hard to get rid of i have never had them before but i too had a battle i have many animals come thru my door and never have i seen them like this never i have been doing this for over 15 yrs , SPCA and animal rescue . thank god the cold is finally coming the cold air will kill the ones from out side they jump in your house when you open the door... goood luck it was hell for me and i knew what to do from day one