My sister brought her cat up when she stayed with me. The cat was covered in fleas, now the cat is gone but fleas are everywhere. I tried flea sprays for carpets but they won't die. Any ideas please?
Elaine from England
If you can get borax in England, sprinkle it on your carpets and in the corners. If you can't get borax, table salt also works. Let it sit a while, then vacuum it up. It will take care of the fleas. If you have any tiny children, don't let them crawl on the carpet until it is vacuumed up.
Susan from ThriftyFun (02/12/2005)
By ThriftyFun
I have heard that borox works well on carpets, and table salt. It is supposed to kill them. Pour it on, then vacuum it up after 24 hours. Also, it is very important you vacuum everywhere, even without the borox. My cat had fleas and I went to the animal clinic and got some advantage and vacuumed every other day. Remove the bag and toss it in the garbage outside right after you're done. (02/12/2005)
By annajo7
Another thing to sprinkle is Diatomaceous Earth - it's a fine powder that suffocates the little critters. You sprinkle it, leave it for 24 hours and vacuum. Good luck! (02/12/2005)
The only problem with using the previous examples is that the eggs that have been laid into the carpet are going to hatch and when they do there will be no residual to kill to the new born fleas. You need to use a product that will leave a residual to kill these fleas that will be hatching.
By John the bugman
I used to work for a man who owned a garden center, he was licensed to sell and apply pesticides. This is what he told me and hundreds of customers to do for fleas:
#1: Vacuum the whole room well, including all fabric covered furniture and long curtains. Also remove and vacuum under sofa and chair cushions, you may not see fleas there but there may be tiny white eggs.
#2: Spray the perimeter of the room(s) with a Pyretherine based (indoor approved) flea spray. (You must spray the perimeter first so that fleas don't get under baseboards when you spray the rest of the room.)
#3: Spray the entire floor and any fabric covered furniture the cat jumped up on. Don't forget under and behind furniture. Do this twice a week for 2 weeks, if you still see a few fleas try a couple more applications.
Finally #4: If you have a severe infestation you may need to set off a flea bomb in the room(s). They come in different sizes and are very easy to use.
Important! If you have gas heat or appliances you must turn off the main pilot light and gas supply or it could explode. If you don't have too many fleas I would try the borax treatment first. I have heard that it works. I prefer to try the organic approach whenever possible. (02/13/2005)
By Wagners1988
Fleas are very hard to get rid of but it's possible. The only way I've been successful is with specially made "flea bombs." You set them off inside your closed house, stay out for a few hours, then you can return and air things out. You have to repeat in several days to take care of the hatching eggs.
You can't leave any pets in the house while you flea bomb, and must put all food and dishes away. I always wash my dishes afterward to be sure. And be sure to vacuum daily and get rid of the bag(s).
The bombs are effective, but a pain in the neck to use because of all the precautions. (02/14/2005)
I also recommend the diatomaceous earth- not as scary as all of those chemicals anyway. You can also put a bit in your vacuum bag, and vacuum *every* day. (02/14/2005)
By aline
The problem with flea bombs is the cost as you have to repeat, repeat, repeat. Place a box of regular salt in a blender and whirl it until it is almost powdered. Move all furniture away from the walls and sprinkle the perimeter of every room. Do NOT vacuum for 10 days. They are attracted to the salt and it dries up the eggs as well. I've never had to repeat this treatment.
We have a company in California called Flea Busters and they charge 200.00 or more for the same treatment. I like to give it a thorough vacuuming before I do this, and of course take the vacuum outside - change the bag and in ten days, you'll change the bag once you've gotten rid of those little critters. Bathe pets as well. (02/14/2005)
I have not used this particular remedy for fleas but have seen it mentioned as effective. As fleas are attracted to light, at night before you go to bed put a fluorescent lamp on the floor in the room where the infestation is the worst, turn it on and put a basin of used dishwater (or any soapy water) beside the light. If you use a bendable fixture bend it so that the light itself is over the water a bit. The fleas jump towards the light and end up drowning in the dishwater. I hope this is clear. Keep doing this until there are no more fleas.
Luckily, I have not had a flea infestation since we moved from a very temperate climate to a cold one, but we used to get them something fierce, so I am keeping all these wonderful hints for when we move back to Flea-land. (02/15/2005)
By susan
Just thought I'd mention Diatomaceous Earth can be obtained through just about any pool supply store as I believe it's used for water softening. It DOES work for flea elimination! Tried it. Take care and God bless! (08/05/2005)
By Christie Baker
Changing the vacuum bag all the time when vacuuming up fleas can be a pain in the butt. Instead, put mothballs in the vacuum bag, and the little pests will die instead of re-infest if you don't change the bag. (08/26/2005)
By Holly
If you live in the southeast where the China Berry tree grows, pick the leaves and twigs off of a China Berry tree and spread them on the floors of your home. Leave them there for a couple of days, then pick them up or vacuum. Take care and good luck. (11/17/2005)
By Azie
I used borax and added essential oils to it. Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Tea Tree. I had a coffee (plastic) container and punched holes in it. So far it's working and no more itching. I also did Frontline on my 2 dogs and a cat, and it smells good too. I have no small children to worry about. Hope this helps. (11/11/2006)
By Deb
A vet told my sister-in-law, whose house was infested with fleas, to buy Seven Dust. You can buy it at Walmart in the garden dept. Sprinkle it on your carpets, vacuum, and in a couple hours repeat. Do every couple weeks if needed. Use it on your furniture too. It fixed her problem. (09/17/2008)
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