Can You Set Off a Flea Bomb With Cats in the House

February 15, 2022 Post a Comment

The author is here to share their experience with using non-toxic methods to eliminate fleas.

Every Human's Worst Nightmare—Fleas!

Okay, okay, I know that fleas aren't really every man'southward worst nightmare, merely they're horrible nevertheless. I truly hope y'all have never had to deal with the horror that is fleas in your living space, but if you lot're reading this commodity, I'm afraid y'all're already in trouble. Non-flea-infested people don't go searching for flea advice, and then I will merely say: I'g sad! You have my wholehearted sympathy. On the positive side, you tin do this! You can go rid of your fleas with a lot of elbow grease. And vacuuming. Lots of vacuuming.

When my apartment was overrun with fleas, I read everything I could about how to get rid of them. I clung to other people'due south success stories for love life, and they really helped me keep my sanity through this whole ordeal. I promise my story inspires you lot to win the fight against fleas!

My Flea Story

It all started 1 fall afternoon. My cat had been scratching with increasing vigor for a few weeks. The thought information technology could be fleas! crossed my mind a few times, but I hadn't seen a flea, nor was anyone else in the house getting flea bites. I convinced myself that Maggie couldn't possibly have fleas, and I chalked the scratching up to dry pare from the forced air heat.

This all changed when I decided to search for skin irritation, and with the cat on my lap, I searched through her fur. My tummy dropped when I saw information technology . . . a pocket-sized, dark shape . . . and motility! I had never seen a flea earlier, and oh . . . it was so icky. Now, I know that fleas tin can be large or pocket-sized, simply the one I saw was a whopper. I managed to take hold of it and launder it down the sink with some dish soap. Perhaps at that place was only one flea! I idea to myself optimistically. I was deep in denial, simply information technology was the only way I could mentally handle the idea of a flea on my cat.

My neighbors had recently flea bombed their apartment subsequently a previous tenant moved out. Unbeknownst to them, that otherwise very nice lady had an outdoor true cat with—you guessed it—fleas. After the flea bomb, they had to vacuum every surface and crack each day for a month to completely eradicate the fleas. How disgusting, I thought smugly, safe in my ain flea-free apartment . . . until that horrible day when the fleas made it over to my house, likewise.

Never fear, I did somewhen succeed in my fight against the fleas . . . simply it was a long, horrifying procedure, and at present I know more than about fleas than anyone I know. Not that I'chiliad telling anyone, except people on the internet. Read on for scientific information nigh fleas, tips for combating them, and more personal experience.

What Are Fleas?

It took me nearly three months to get rid of the fleas in my apartment. No, that'south not a joke—it's the sad truth! About one calendar month of that time was spent in intensive flea-eradication mode, and the remaining 3 months dealt with a few resurgences. Yeah, fleas are very tenacious creatures!

Fleas are small (one.5–iii.3 mm long), wingless insects with a hard outer shell. They tin jump about vii inches in a vertical direction and thirteen inches in a horizontal direction. That doesn't seem as well far, but considering the size of a flea, it'due south pretty impressive! That doesn't make me like them any more, though. Ugh.

The life-cycle of the flea is the key to killing them. If you tin interrupt the feeding and convenance of the fleas, they cannot reproduce and accept over your business firm. Fleas need to swallow claret in social club to reproduce. As soon as a flea eats claret for the outset time, she can reproduce. About a week later, she lays an average of 27 eggs a day.

The eggs hatch in a week or 2, and then the real problem starts—those fleas begin to bite and reproduce, and their offspring do the same . . . it's easy to see how the flea population can skyrocket, and fast. They're like the rabbits of the insect world. This also explains why I didn't notice fleas in my firm at start... but once we noticed, we were completely overwhelmed. A takeaway signal from this is: As soon as you notice your pet scratching, or go bit yourself, take activity. Don't await!

In one case the female fleas lay eggs, they develop into pupa and so developed fleas. These fleas remain in their cocoon until an animal or human being passes by. This stimulates the developed flea, and it hatches, instantly jumping onto you or your pet. The unfortunate role is that fleas tin can remain healthy in their cocoon for upward to 5 months, so it's very difficult to be sure you lot've completely gotten rid of them.

Every bit bad as fleas are—and they're bad—they're as well piece of cake to impale if you lot're willing to put in a lot of hard work.

Fleas are about 1–3 mm in length, and they're really flat. It's hard to kill them unless you vacuum them up or dunk them in soapy water. — Fleas are nigh 1–3 mm in length, and they're really flat. It's difficult to kill them unless you lot vacuum them up or dunk them in soapy water.

Non-Toxic Flea Removal for Pets

The best method for getting fleas off your pet depends on many things: the length of your pet'southward hair, your pet's temperament, and your available time. I used a simple simply constructive method of brushing to get rid of fleas on my cat. I likewise used Advantage flea drops, which worked well. With a longer-haired creature or one that doesn't relish being brushed, other methods similar flea dips might piece of work better than brushing.

Advantage 2 Flea Prevention

How Did Y'all Win the Fight?

Effective Flea Command Ideas

Non-Toxic Flea Treatments for the Home

Afterwards reading the side furnishings on store-bought flea bombs and Raid flea spray, I was wary nearly spraying it all over my business firm—considering the fleas were everywhere (gag!), the chemicals would be everywhere. I did a ton of research and decided on a 2-pronged approach: mechanical killing of fleas with the vacuum and chemic killing of fleas with non-toxic flea spray.

First, the vacuum. The vacuum is the homeowner's nearly constructive all-natural weapon against fleas. Fleas are attracted to the vibrations of the vacuum and leap correct over to information technology. When they are sucked in, the vacuum tumbles them effectually and kills them. Yeah! According to the University of Kentucky, vacuuming is a very effective way to become rid of fleas and flea eggs.

The only downside to the vacuum is the time and effort it takes to vacuum . . . everywhere. Literally every surface could hide fleas: couches, rugs, chairs, behind desks, in cracks in the floor, on the stairs, and in every piddling nook and cranny in the business firm. This is why it'southward and so difficult to get rid of fleas. It's extremely strenuous to movement furniture back and along and vacuum . . . in every room.

You lot also accept to use the hose zipper to vacuum where floors and walls meet and all over any upholstered furniture. During my intensive flea-killing phase, I vacuumed the entire firm every day. Information technology took about ii hours per "mission." It was awful and exhausting just very effective.

I didn't trust my vacuum to get into every little crack in the floor, particularly when I was getting tired and a little sloppy. I institute a not-toxic, safe flea spray at my local grocery store. It'due south by a brand called EcoSmart. The spray works really well—I sprayed it on a flea and watched it keel over in seconds!

The but downside to this spray is that it smells strongly of peppermint from the flea-killing essential oils. Pets tin can be sensitive to essential oils, and then it's wise to use the spray in areas where pets do non typically go, like forth the floorboards or in bedrooms where you can shut the pets out.

Fleas tin can lodge themselves into whatever fabric, so in addition to vacuuming and using flea spray, you also demand to exercise laundry. Wash bedding (preferably daily) and annihilation that fleas could cling to, similar stuffed animals, pet beds, blankets laid on the couch, etc. Employ hot water and a hot dryer. The rut kills fleas as well.

You really have to be diligent about all of the available flea killing methods—brushing pets (and drowning fleas!), vacuuming, spraying, and washing. It'due south definitely a ton of piece of work. Merely information technology works, and if you practice everything every solar day, you lot should see results very apace. It takes a while to win the state of war, just you will feel so much better after a couple of days, and that will requite y'all the free energy to see information technology through!

Success! A Summary of My Experience

My total involvement with fleas lasted iii months and maybe fifty-fifty four months. In the beginning, I diligently brushed, vacuumed, sprayed, and washed . . . every solar day for near two weeks. The fleas decreased dramatically, and they were almost gone! I was seeing a flea every few days and getting a seize with teeth every few days. Then I went away for Thanksgiving, and when I got dorsum, I had a slight increase. I crush them downwardly, then got a little lazy a few weeks afterwards.

Surprise, surprise—another comeback for the fleas. After that, I really got serious, and later on New Years, no more fleas, this time for skilful. Information technology was an awesome feeling, and I'thousand so glad I did it without toxic chemicals. I could take used a flea bomb and fixed everything in a twenty-four hour period, simply I would take still had to vacuum every solar day for a month anyhow, and so I'm glad I went the natural route.

If y'all have whatsoever questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section, and I'll gladly answer them!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

hazelbrown (author) from Central PA on August 25, 2020:

Ha, practiced question. I'm non sure where they go! Thinking about that'due south a lilliputian gross, correct? If you lot're non seeing live ones, I'd simply assume that y'all're vacuuming them up. There may not have been as well many to begin with, then they're probably gone. Skillful work!

Laura on Baronial 24, 2020:

Thanks for your respond, Hazel. Follow up question - vet gave cat Bravecto (prescription), and two days later, I find no fleas (I rummage her every twenty-four hours with a flea comb). I likewise have been meticulous virtually looking around and vacuuming, and see no fleas, dead fleas. My question is, what happens to the fleas when they die? Wouldn't they autumn off - and I would encounter them? I take white carpets, and light floors - article of clothing all white every solar day. Not ane dead flea anywhere. So... crazy - where exercise dead flies get when they dice?? ha

hazelbrown (author) from Central PA on Baronial 23, 2020:

Hooray!!

hazelbrown (author) from Central PA on Baronial 23, 2020:

Hi Laura, I don't recollect you have to wash the clothes in the cupboard. I retrieve the fleas are attracted to pets and humans, but they'd take no reason to wander into the closet. (Says me... but I'k not a flea then who knows! Fingers crossed though!)

Laura on August 22, 2020:

PS to my post from a moment ago - I accept white carpets and accept been wearing white wearing apparel for the by few days. No sign of fleas on me or my wearing apparel, and no flea clay anymore. Thanks!

Laura on August 22, 2020:

I adopted a rescue from a family unit 2 months ago.I didn't know I had fleas until I saw blackness spots around two weeks agone, and found out they are flea dirt (poop). I and so establish one live flea on my -indoor -true cat. I used Frontline and vet recommended Knockout ES, which has very practiced reviews online, and sprayed everywhere. Only realize I did not really get everywhere (mirror leaning on wall...file cabinet with a one inch space between floor and chiffonier, etc). No more flea dirt, but institute eight fleas on cat. Vet said Frontline has been around for years and fleas accept become resistant; she gave the cat Bravecto yesterday. Now the task of vacuuming and using Knockout ES once more. Question: I live in a new apartment. I keep my cupboard doors closed at all times (fewer hiding places for cat), but the closet is carpeted. I will spray the flooring of the closets. My biggest question - and fearfulness - do I need to wash all my hanging apparel? I accept to wearing apparel for work and need to dress upwardly for work events, so have a LOT of apparel, including formal, which demand to exist dry cleaned. I accept shoes, shoes, shoes, from sneakers to formal.

I am hoping against promise that since I continue the closet doors closed, if I spraying the flooring - and the shoes - will be plenty. I can't imagine having to launder and dry make clean this corporeality of wearing apparel.

Tami on July 26, 2020:

I used regular table table salt in my unfinished basement. I had to sprinkle information technology everywhere. And so in a couple weeks i vaccuum. Then all over again for most two months. I besides bathed the cats and dogs in baby shampoo and dish lather about 1time a week. This works really well for carpets besides. I wont use chemicals again.

halley on July 15, 2020:

I am battleling fleas at this moment im even so having trouble getting them gone fifty-fifty chosen exterminator and all the same having problems!!

hazelbrown (author) from Key PA on July 03, 2020:

Oh no, I'm so sorry! Exercise you hire or own? If you rent, y'all should call your landlord right abroad. If he/she is not good about getting dorsum to y'all, continue trying and and then possibly have it to the adjacent level by telling them you'll be calling the constabulary. I did that once about a heating issue, and when I said "police," it was addressed in a day. You probably demand an exterminator at this betoken. Are you vacuuming every day, or twice a day? Every inch of the house and piece of furniture? It should accept almost 45 minutes to vacuum thoroughly enough. Do your neighbors have fleas? I wonder if you besides demand to treat the outside expanse. Maybe at that place are outdoor cats with fleas. That happened to me before.

Once more, so sorry. Fleas are awful. Allow me know if I tin can do anything else to help. If you let me know where y'all live (generally), mayhap I could help you lot notice some resources.

Lorraine on July 01, 2020:

I accept flea's for 7 months igot rid of my ii inside cats 5 months ago and still have flea's Please Aid

Bernie on June 10, 2020:

I had vacuumed everyday for a month and of form didn't sleep in my bed. The traps in every room and find nothing in the flea traps I bought an liba pest light. It works. I have it in my bedroom I'm sleeping on the bed not in the bed. This month I am now vacuuming every other day. I gave the cat aids a flea spray once a week and a dog a flea bathroom once a week. I too bought in encasements for my beds. I also put bug spray on my legs and anxiety and ankles before I go to sleep. My problem is I'm catching them with the test lite I bought around one or two a day only in my bedroom I don't understand why the other rooms seem to be fine practice you have an answer for that thank you

hazelbrown (author) from Central PA on Oct x, 2019:

Skilful question - the cat stopped scratching, and I stopped getting bites.

Annie on Oct 09, 2019:

How did you know it was truly over?

hazelbrown (writer) from Central PA on October 06, 2019:

Howdy Manu, pitiful to hear you're struggling with fleas. Are there outdoor cats in your neighborhood? They could be bringing fleas near your house, and and then onto y'all as you walk by. It's possible that the exterminator could spray outside, too, but I'one thousand not sure nigh that.

If you can practise laundry every day, I would. Launder things like bedding and blankets (from the burrow, for example) with hot water, and dry on high. You can also put the kids' toys into the dryer.

If the exterminator came twice and the problem isn't solved, I think yous demand a new exterminator. Run across if yous tin observe one with a guarantee.

Manu on October 06, 2019:

Thanks for your story. It gives me hope that I'll finally be able to get rid of them.

I have two cats but they are indoor besides the balcony.

Nosotros treated the cats with drops and pills.

Nosotros have two newborns and a toddler and nosotros had the exterminator coming twice.

That helped only I still saw few of them jumping around my bed.

We vacuumed and I brushed the cats just mayhap not enough.

It's really difficult to battle fleas infestation while taking intendance of twins newborn and a 4 years old! Should nosotros do laundry everyday?

Will try to vacuum twice a day.

Any positive thoughts? I don't slumber in my bed anymore and I'm wearied!!!

hazelbrown (author) from Central PA on September 20, 2019:

Sorry y'all didn't like the article, Kevin. I'm too distressing you lot feel the need to telephone call people "morons." I'm sure there is a more than respectful way you could have expressed your opinion.

Kevin on September xix, 2019:

Actually? Exactly which moron live doesn't know what a flea is? Know one gives a damn nearly your "story" write about what is stated in the headline, direct. The balance of the extemporaneous BS. Is just that. No one cares.

Kristen on September 10, 2019:

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I am currently contesting fleas also. I've never seen a live one in the flat or been bit, simply nosotros did notice a couple on the cat around 3 weeks agone. (He is indoors-only... don't know where they came from!) Since so, I've treated him with Bravecto topical flea medicine, and have been vacuuming virtually every mean solar day and applying Wondercide flea spray around once a calendar week. I just started to relax, but then I constitute a dead flea on the true cat this forenoon. I judge the battle'due south non over... I don't want to utilise poisonous flea bombs or powders. People tell me that "it'south only 1 flea," but I know that means that there are more than hiding elsewhere. It was such a relief to read your story and know that I'g not the but one. Thanks! I'll continue it up!

Tortured for 3 years on June 14, 2019:

Hi Hazel,

Thank you for writing this article. It makes me hopeful that there will ane 24-hour interval be an end to this mess. I am a non pet-owner who once lived with a roommate with a cat and have since faced recurring flea infestations for the past 3 years. I become that fleas can lay fallow and wait for optimal conditions and manifestly I practise enough to crush down the total-blown infestation but somehow I merely continue losing the ultimate war when they come dorsum in the spring. (Side note, I have moved a lot and I take had new infestations in each place, so I imagine I've somehow carried residual eggs in my stuff. Ugh.)

Now, I have rest treatment around cracks and crevices in my current place and sprayed a fair amount final summer, merely to my great dismay I did detect a live flea two days ago. I was able to impale it since it clearly couldn't leap (perhaps it was immature, or crippled?) and upon farther inspection in the dark cupboard that I assume it came from, I plant iv dead fleas. Now those were all dead, and the one I killed was conspicuously not in the best shape. Two of the four were defenseless in glue traps I had set down, and 2 were lying next to some plastic bins, just they were expressionless.

I'm hopeful that what I'k dealing with is just the rest fleas emerging from their eggs that cruel besides far out of accomplish to be reached with insecticide last year. I worked with an exterminator to some extent last summer and he gave me gum traps that I put all over my apartment, so I think that gives some indication of how isolated this is. In improver to the five in and around my night cupboard, I found one behind the toilet, which is a few feet away from the closet.

There were none around my bed thankfully. My questions are 1) should I treat this as a full-blown infestation and go through washing everything that tin be washed even if I oasis't worn the wear or touched information technology in a while 2) do I need to religiously vacuum every other day for two months? Evidently I'm looking for a shortcut, mostly considering I'k incredibly exhausted at dealing with this for the third summer in a row, but I'm also studying for my certification exams and it'due south just unfathomable to handle a full-diddled infestation. If I can get away with religious vacuuming for a shorter menstruation and/or not have to launder literally everything and then have to continuously launder dress, bed-sheets, and towels subsequently one apply, that would exercise a lot for my sanity.

The closet the four were in does firm a lot of clothing and bedding . . . but it would be A LOT to take to wash. I guess in your feel, do you think that expressionless fleas + bedridden/immature flea enough to exist on high alert for several months? Oh, I call back I may have been fleck once on my ankle, but that is it.

Some Random Girl on February 13, 2019:

I've been dealing with fleas in my home now for almost 3 months, and it's horrible!!! We remember we got them from squirrels living in our attic so we set up traps to get rid of them. Everytime I run across one I want to cry. We have bug bombed our house and nosotros have gotten treated by the exterminators and washed all of our sheets. And the numbers take reduced dramatically, yet I yet encounter one now then. I am extremely allergic to fleas and so is my dad and my sister, everytime i bites me it will itch so bad and it will non go away for days. I accept covered up all of my torso except for my head, neck, and hands. I don't call up the last fourth dimension I haven't worn socks, shorts and short sleeve shirts. (besides from taking showers). I live in fear every twenty-four hour period of my life. I'm constantly checking myself and my bed sheets. I have a irrational fear of one jumping in my mouth or in my food. (I saw ane bound on my plate once but I flicked it away earlier it could affect my food). I just want them to go away so bad so I can be happy again. My parents are doing the best they tin but, they tin simply do and then much because they work all the time. I promise they go away soon because this whole thing is making me have panic attacks and severe anxiety. My mental wellness needs to get meliorate and I hope whenever the fleas get taken care of I can finally go back to being normal over again. I feel better just by sharing my story and I hope if you take fleas too I hope you volition win the war. And If you lot've never had fleas you are the luckiest person in the world! I would never wish fleas onpon anyone, not even my worst enemy.

hazelbrown (author) from Fundamental PA on November 04, 2018:

Oh goodness, sorry the Reward isn't working. I'd agree with you that the Advantage isn't doing its job if the fleas are nevertheless alive. I've heard skilful things about Revolution, so maybe you can simply stick it out for a week and then finally win the boxing. Fleas ARE the worst!!

AmyA37 on November 03, 2018:

I've been dealing with fleas for just over three weeks. I don't call back we have a huge problem because my roommate and I have not had whatsoever bites (and I'1000 VERY susceptible to flea bites). I gave my true cat Reward three weeks ago and take been vacuuming every inch of the house every single mean solar day, but I'm still finding 3-8 fleas on her a 24-hour interval! I'm just wondering if you were all the same brushing a lot of fleas off after the Reward. I'one thousand going to give her Revolution next fourth dimension but I have to wait another week before I can give it to her. Almost every flea I brush off of her is alive so I'yard not convinced the Advantage is working. Fleas suck!!!

hazelbrown (writer) from Cardinal PA on August 23, 2018:

It dries really fast, simply I would await as long as possible before letting pets walk on information technology. Can you lot shut the door to the room with the carpet?

Sweetpea on August 22, 2018:

How long does the eco spray need to dry on carpet before dogs can get on it?

hazelbrown (author) from Central PA on December 29, 2017:

Hi Jessica, sorry you're dealing with fleas! It'southward so stressful. Are you still getting bites? If non, maybe your problem is finally going away. If you can't movement the bed, I think you lot should buy some flea spray and spray the heck out of the carpet nether your bed. If you want a non-toxic option, there'south a brand chosen EcoSmart that is crawly. It smells actually pepperminty, though. Yous could spray, and and then block off the bed so your cat can't get under at that place. Yous could even go slumber in a different room for a few days and keep the door shut. I'd spray every single day for maybe 3 days, and then see what happens. Good luck!!!

jessicalynv on December 28, 2017:

how-do-you-do hazel, i've been dealing with this problem for months without even knowing.. i started treatment and vacuuming everyday only a calendar week agone but before that i had Diatomacious World sprinkled on my carpet and it sat there for a whole week and and so i finally vacuumed it. i've been so desperate to kill them. i covered my cat in coconut oil and when i combed through (calendar week after flea medicine) i establish no fleas. although i plant a flea in my hair today and I started crying. :( i'm so emotionally exhausted. do yous have any advice nearly moving beds? I accept a gigantic one that is raised above the ground and my whole apartment has rug and nether the bed is carpet and i've vacuumed everywhere except under the bed considering i can't move it.

MT3 on December 22, 2017:

Wow, you are right I wouldn't exist on this site if information technology weren't for a flea trouble. For 9 years o used simply holistic flea protection without trouble. I have 2 Westies and only become in the backyard and walked around the neighborhood. We started this nightmare two and a half months agone. And then now my dogs are using a flea neckband(broke my heart but had to exist done). I think (hope and pray) nosotros're on the tail end of this. Exhausting is an understatement. Merely similar you we did spray and vacuum every solar day (sometimes twice a day) and mopping every other twenty-four hours. I brushed my two dogs every evening in the bathtub with a flea brush and soapy water. Gross and strangely satisfying at the same time. I get it. We even quarantined by dogs to one floor and then we tin can tackle each area without cross-contagion. I take a whole shoe/sock routine with my family unit. Again to avoid contamination. At about 1.5 months of doing all this we set out "flea traps" to see if we were finally done. [Plate with soapy water with a desk lamp shining on the plate. Flea are attracted to rut from lamp jump and country on plate and die.] We placed them in the "hot-zones". At commencement we would have one-2 fleas every couple of days which meant nosotros continued our insane process. Now another 2-three weeks later we oasis't seen any in 1 week. I'm afraid to breathe at the same fourth dimension so ready to be done with this. I appreciate your story because I know information technology's not just me being crazy. When people tell me they had i flea and information technology's fine I can't believe them. We were never "infested" merely clearly nosotros had fleas. In the first I would rummage out like 15 fleas from each domestic dog. But if you looked around you lot couldn't spot them. So people beware. I concur with hazelbrown it can be done but not without a lot of effort. @hazelbrown I hope we never have to bargain with this again.

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Source: https://dengarden.com/pest-control/A-Flea-Success-Story-How-I-Finally-Got-Rid-of-Cat-Fleas-in-My-Apartment