I can't kill the fleas!!!?

Question

I live in Florida and have two indoor cats; I cannot get rid of their fleas for anything!! Both cats use Advantage and my apartment has been treated twice. My cats are still scratching and the fleas are still here! HELP!!!

Answer 1

Flea eggs are indistructable.
They hatch new fleas into your newly flea free home every few days.
You have to re-treat often. Your yard too. Fleas hitch a ride on stray cats, squirrls and birds, who visit and leave them when they go.
I've never had any luck with bug "bomb" or pesticides. The only thing that's ever worked for me is vacuuming.
Vacuum every day for a week. Furniture (in, on and under), beds (human and pet) and wash everything that fits in the machine.
The next 2 weeks vacuum every other day. After that normal vacuuming should be fine.

Answer 2

I'm in your exact situation. Live in Florida, townhouse, two cats. I can't kill the fleas for the life of me. When it seems like they are dead I leave town for one night and I come home to them jumping on my feet. I've tried frontline, advantage, and even some cheap hertz stuff as a last resort. Hertz does however make a home spray that has been the only thing to alleviate the fleas. Like many people have mentioned, it only takes care of them for a few days until the new eggs hatch though, so you have to spray frequently.
I'm worried about the cats health as i'm sure them being bit all the time is not good for them. They've even been flea dipped professionally at Petsmart twice.

good luck! if i figure something out i'll let ya know.

Answer 3

Here is your step by step guide to getting rid of fleas in any situation:

+ treat all animals with Frontline. The spray works quicker but is messy and can be difficult to get the right dose. The drops need to be applied to the SKIN (not the fur) so part the fur and apply the drops in about 4 different places. Your pet will be flea free within 24 hours. Repeat treatment every 4 weeks.
+ you need a spray from the VET to treat your house - Acclaim, Staykil, Indorex. Follow the instructions on the can carefully - all carpets, sofas and pet bedding will need to be treated.
+do not use petshop products, as you probably know! They are worthless.
Do this and you should be fine.

Chalice

Answer 4

Fleas a difficult to get rid of in hot and humid atmospheres. I would suggest thoroughly vacuuming the house every three days, not forgetting under chairs, sofas, and other bits of furniture. Dark corners are also harbours of fleas. Use a good flea spray or dusting powder every day, and used different anti-flea products on your cats. There are also substances you can use to place on their food.
But don't be too enthusiastic with the on-cat preparations as some cats will react against them.
It is hard work and can take many months to eradicate.

Answer 5

First, check the expiry date on the package of Advantage. Sometimes, old stock gets mixed in with the new. If it has expired and you purchased it recently then take it back for exchange.
Next, the flea larvae can lay in wait for ideal conditions to hatch so you may just have to wait out the infestation or have the exterminator back again.
Sorry there isn't an easy solution to your problem but fleas are nasty little boogers.

Answer 6

Florida's a BAD place for fleas. It can take up to 4 months to kill them all. The best 2 flea products out there are Advantage and Frontline, maybe it's time for you to switch brands. Sometimes I think fleas can get resistant to one medication, and you need to switch it up to get a better kill rate.

Answer 7

Fleas are a major pest. There are various species of fleas - cat fleas, dog fleas, rat fleas and rabbit fleas.
You can get rid of them by the safest and cheapest methods like boric acid.

Answer 8

Its the area you live in...live in florida before as well never had such a horrible time with fleas..if you live in an apartment they will come from the other apartments as well.

Answer 9

You should change products often to prevent resistance. i would recommend revolution for a few months, then frontline, and switch back and forth every 3-4 mos.

If you keep up killing the adults and larvae, you will eventually break the cycle as the new larva moves in and dies. It will take about 3-6 wks for the cycle to complete and all of them die.

Answer 10

Use advantage to kill the fleas. Ask the vet what spray you can use. The vets have a spray that you can spray on the carpet. I have used it before and it works really good.