I think my cats have fleas and I can't figure out where they would've come from. I'm wondering if I have to keep my doors/windows shut from now on just to keep fleas out?
2007-10-05 19:06:27 · 12 answers · asked by Pascale 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
They probably can get through the screens, but there are also probably dozens of other ways for them to get in.
They are probably also jumping on your clothes as you walk to and from your car, walking on the beach, etc.
They are really hard to kill physically. You have to get them between your fingernails and crush them. You'll hear them crack as they have very strong exoskeletons.
If you grab them, the best way to kill them is place them under hot water or they can jump from your grasp very easily if you give them half a chance.
I had fleas in the apartment I moved in. I bought a flea collar and placed it in the middle of my floor.
I also placed a butter dish with 7-Up in it and placed it on the floor. For some odd reason, they like to jump in the butter dish to get at the 7-Up.
They can't get out and drown very easily.
Within a couple months (which is a very long time dealing with those little monsters) I was free of them completely.
I'm sure a pest control business would have a faster method of getting rid of them.
If you love your pets, you should contact the pest control business in your community.
2007-10-05 19:18:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course fleas can get inside. Indoor cats are NEVER safe from fleas, this is a myth.
Fleas will crawl through any tiny crack to get to the meal they're sensing. You can't keep doors shut forever, you have to go in and out! I'm afraid it's impossible to just seal yourself off from fleas - if you have pets and there are fleas around, they'll get them. Besides, they're already in your house so it's too late - they'll already have laid a bunch of egg in your house and on your cats!
So if you decide to buy a flea treatment (hopefully you will) you also need to know that it's not worth buying anything from any stores. This stuff is a huge waste of money because it doesn't work, and a lot of the brands are dangerous. You need to get something from a vet like Frontline.
Chalice
2007-10-06 00:54:02 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They most likely came in on your shoes or in your socks or pants.
Don't get a flea collar and put it on the cat. I put one on mine, and it made him very sick. The vet said it's not a good idea to use them anyways.
Get Frontline or something like that from the vet and put it on the cats. In fact, you can probably treat one cat and it will carry over to the other.
I have dogs and cats, and I only treat one of the inside dogs w/ advantix which gets rid of all of those kinda things. I haven't had a flea or tick problem since.
You have to treat them every month, but, remember, if you don't, fleas carry worms and other parasites that can make your cats sick.
Also, sulphur powder works wonders. Put around the outside of your house as a barrier. It doesn't smell great, but, it works for fleas, ticks, roaches, mice, etc.
Have fun. LOL
2007-10-05 21:07:25 · answer #3 · answered by shampaynandhaha 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are carried by squirrels, fleas can jump off them and hitch a ride inside on your pants cuffs or shoes, OR come in through the window screens, they can get through those easily. A flea drop dose of Advantage, Frontline or Revolution takes care of them. That'll run you $12 or so.
2016-05-17 07:54:03 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fleas can live in the ground and can get through a screen door. They will also live in wool rugs. It is more likely that your yard needs to be sprayed than you need to keep your windows and doors shut.
2007-10-06 00:32:14 · answer #5 · answered by karen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well fleas can get through a screen door, but you may not have to shut it if you go to the pet store and get some flea repellent or something to keep them away.
2007-10-05 19:10:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fleas can get in your house in the most mysterious of ways. Put Frontline on the cats and vacuum and wash everything you can. If they have a host (cat) they will be around unless the host has Frontline on him. Also get a flea comb and drown the fleas in soapy water.
2007-10-05 19:32:43 · answer #7 · answered by Flatpaw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could have hitched a ride on someones clothes. I don't think they would come through the doors or windows on their own. Frontline is a good flea control product. Might have to clean your carpets as well if you think they could be in there.
2007-10-05 19:13:55 · answer #8 · answered by wherewhenwhatwhywho 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, silly s*d, they come up through the floor boards, under the doors - no-where is too small for them to find a way in. Your better bet is to pay to actually treat your cats, to rid them of fleas and to keep doing so on a regular basis.
2007-10-05 19:10:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
More likely hitched a ride on a cat. But fleas are very small, screen openings are too large to prevent flea entry. Why not just by a flea collar?
2007-10-05 19:09:01 · answer #10 · answered by rorzzz09192007 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋