Foster kittens gifted me a few fleas...

[SallyWho]

I went nuts and decided to foster a litter of kittens for the local humane society. I'm not a cat person- never owned a cat in my life- but I have an extra bedroom I wasn't using that would be easy to kitten-proof and the humane society was literally overflowing with kittens. Well, they brought a few fleas with them. It's not overwhelming; I've only seen about 6 total over the past three weeks, but I have no doubts that the population is growing in the carpet. I've read through some of the threads on here about flea control, and wanted to run my preliminary plan by you guys.

I can't really do anything until the kittens are gone- they have to stay in that room because I have a dog with a history of killing rabbits that is *ahem* far too interested in them, and anything I could spray or dust might hurt them (they've had a rough road. I lost one a week and a half ago :confused:). I did dust diatomaceous earth along the threshold to try to keep the fleas contained to that one bedroom, but there's no guarantee that I didn't bring any out on me or my clothes. In the room next door, I have two QTs running, and in the living room up the hallway is my 120g with sump, and the back of the stand is open. I'd really rather not bomb the house. I have no way of running an airline outside for fresh air, and nuking my tanks would not be ideal. The three bedrooms are carpeted and the rest of the house is either bathroom vinyl tile or wood laminate. So, once the kittens are gone, I plan on liberally dousing the all the carpet in each room either with Borax or DE (is one better than the other?), waiting a couple of days, and then vacuuming thoroughly. Either before, during, or after, I thought about using a trap like this. Mixed reviews, but cheap enough to try. Anybody use something like that? I'm hoping the dusting will kill most of them via dehydration, and anything that escapes the dust will be caught in the trap. Should I also dust my mattress and couch? Then I thought I might spray something like what was mentioned in another thread: Suspend SC. Any other furniture, pet, and mattress safe spray options you've tried? I could use that all over, being extremely careful in the areas around the tanks. I'm not worried about flea control for my dog- she's on monthly Simparica and hasn't so much as scratched once.

A follow up question: I know with bed bugs, you have to wash just about everything that's made of fabric. Does the same go for fleas? There's an antique dresser in the cat room that has some old clothes in it- do they need a hot round in the washing machine? Do I need to wash all of my clothes, bedding, couch cushions, window curtains, etc? I shudder to think of how many loads of laundry that would be. Or can I just do the carpets, couch, and mattress? The kittens will be gone, the dog is protected, and heck it all, I'll wear a flea collar myself if I have to...so there wouldn't be any available meals, right? I'd just have to dust the carpets, set the traps, lots of vacuuming, and a house-wide spray, correct? Am I missing anything? I mean, there's not a huge infestation (haven't even seen any beyond the few on the kittens themselves), but I want to nip this in the bud hard. Thanks, guys!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I went nuts and decided to foster a litter of kittens for the local humane society. I'm not a cat person- never owned a cat in my life- but I have an extra bedroom I wasn't using that would be easy to kitten-proof and the humane society was literally overflowing with kittens. Well, they brought a few fleas with them. It's not overwhelming; I've only seen about 6 total over the past three weeks, but I have no doubts that the population is growing in the carpet. I've read through some of the threads on here about flea control, and wanted to run my preliminary plan by you guys.

I can't really do anything until the kittens are gone- they have to stay in that room because I have a dog with a history of killing rabbits that is *ahem* far too interested in them, and anything I could spray or dust might hurt them (they've had a rough road. I lost one a week and a half ago :confused:). I did dust diatomaceous earth along the threshold to try to keep the fleas contained to that one bedroom, but there's no guarantee that I didn't bring any out on me or my clothes. In the room next door, I have two QTs running, and in the living room up the hallway is my 120g with sump, and the back of the stand is open. I'd really rather not bomb the house. I have no way of running an airline outside for fresh air, and nuking my tanks would not be ideal. The three bedrooms are carpeted and the rest of the house is either bathroom vinyl tile or wood laminate. So, once the kittens are gone, I plan on liberally dousing the all the carpet in each room either with Borax or DE (is one better than the other?), waiting a couple of days, and then vacuuming thoroughly. Either before, during, or after, I thought about using a trap like this. Mixed reviews, but cheap enough to try. Anybody use something like that? I'm hoping the dusting will kill most of them via dehydration, and anything that escapes the dust will be caught in the trap. Should I also dust my mattress and couch? Then I thought I might spray something like what was mentioned in another thread: Suspend SC. Any other furniture, pet, and mattress safe spray options you've tried? I could use that all over, being extremely careful in the areas around the tanks. I'm not worried about flea control for my dog- she's on monthly Simparica and hasn't so much as scratched once.

A follow up question: I know with bed bugs, you have to wash just about everything that's made of fabric. Does the same go for fleas? There's an antique dresser in the cat room that has some old clothes in it- do they need a hot round in the washing machine? Do I need to wash all of my clothes, bedding, couch cushions, window curtains, etc? I shudder to think of how many loads of laundry that would be. Or can I just do the carpets, couch, and mattress? The kittens will be gone, the dog is protected, and heck it all, I'll wear a flea collar myself if I have to...so there wouldn't be any available meals, right? I'd just have to dust the carpets, set the traps, lots of vacuuming, and a house-wide spray, correct? Am I missing anything? I mean, there's not a huge infestation (haven't even seen any beyond the few on the kittens themselves), but I want to nip this in the bud hard. Thanks, guys!

Oh no. For now, you can place a couple of NO PEST strips in the room and flea powder along the entire outside walls of the room.

 

[WVNed]

You are way overreacting. Pretty much all you have to do is sweep frequently until the cats are gone. The fleas have to eat ( bite the cats) to reproduce and once the cats are gone they will starve.
If they are on the dog give him one of the monthly preventatives for 2 months.
The fleas cant simply live in your house.
How big are the cats? Capstar works wonders. You could wipe them out in an hour. by using it and sweeping really well.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Give the kittens a bath in regular ole dawn dish soap and wash all the bedding/blankets or whatever they stay on and you'll be rid of most of the fleas and eggs. Just wash and rinse them thoroughly. You could wash them a gain after a couple days if it makes you feel better.

Fleas live on the blood of animals, so they aren't infesting your carpets or bedding etc... they will be mainly on and around the kittens.

 

[JohnMzreef]

Drop by your local veterinarian. Capstar is a great choice but you may have difficulty getting down them. Spot-on products are easiest to apply. Do not buy from the feed store!

 

[SallyWho]

You are way overreacting. Pretty much all you have to do is sweep frequently until the cats are gone. The fleas have to eat ( bite the cats) to reproduce and once the cats are gone they will starve.
If they are on the dog give him one of the monthly preventatives for 2 months.
The fleas cant simply live in your house.
How big are the cats? Capstar works wonders. You could wipe them out in an hour. by using it and sweeping really well.

Give the kittens a bath in regular ole dawn dish soap and wash all the bedding/blankets or whatever they stay on and you'll be rid of most of the fleas and eggs. Just wash and rinse them thoroughly. You could wash them a gain after a couple days if it makes you feel better.

Fleas live on the blood of animals, so they aren't infesting your carpets or bedding etc... they will be mainly on and around the kittens.

Thanks, guys! I did bathe the little furballs in dawn dish soap, and they just got topical flea prevention yesterday. The HS said they weren't quite old enough for it before, and they're still too young/little for Capstar. They're about 6-8 weeks-ish, and I've had them nearly a month. Two of the five finally reached 2lbs (yay!), but the other three are still pretty ribby. So, assuming the topical flea stuff is any good (which brand they used wasn't listed in the updated medical charts I rec'd), they should starve out on their own? Unless, of course, I become their next food source. I don't have to wash everything in my house then? Just the stuff in the cat room, once the feline vectors of pestilence go up for adoption?

Yikes. What if I do become their next food source? I do shower daily, though, so certainly not....right? Is there a Seresto collar for humans? LOL!

 

[WVNed]

I don't actually know if washing would be of value. If it makes you feel better go ahead. I have not fought fleas recently. If we see one all the animals get a month long preventative so they never get started.
Usually someone visits and brings them to us.
We have 7 dogs and 3 cats here. If I see one I go straight to biological weapons of mass detruction on the fleas.

 

[SallyWho]

I don't actually know if washing would be of value. If it makes you feel better go ahead. I have not fought fleas recently. If we see one all the animals get a month long preventative so they never get started.
Usually someone visits and brings them to us.
We have 7 dogs and 3 cats here. If I see one I go straight to biological weapons of mass detruction on the fleas.

Biological weapons of mass destruction- LOL! I love it! What product(s) do you use?

 

[vetteguy53081]

You are way overreacting. Pretty much all you have to do is sweep frequently until the cats are gone. The fleas have to eat ( bite the cats) to reproduce and once the cats are gone they will starve.
If they are on the dog give him one of the monthly preventatives for 2 months.
The fleas cant simply live in your house.
How big are the cats? Capstar works wonders. You could wipe them out in an hour. by using it and sweeping really well.

I bought a duplex rentals years ago that was vacant for 5 months and The upper unit was full of fleas. Fleas do lay eggs and many of them and they go dormant in the winter and re-emerge in spring. They don't just go away and do not need a food source to carry/produce eggs

Eliminating Fleas
Use your knowledge of the flea life cycle to eliminate an infestation. Treat the environment properly by vacuuming regularly for several weeks and thoroughly washing bedding and toys in hot soapy water to remove eggs, larvae, and pupae. Remember to seal and remove vacuum bags after a cleaning session. You can even encourage faster emergence of the remaining pupae with a humidifier and an increase in the home temperature. Once all the hibernating pupae have emerged, you can make sure they are all destroyed. The household can be (cautiously) treated with sprays and foggers.

When it comes to eliminating fleas from your pet and from your home, there are some key things to consider. First, it is very important to be familiar with and understand the life cycle of the flea when you are trying to eradicate their presence completely.

There are four stages in the life cycle of a flea: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Depending on the environmental temperature and humidity levels, the total life cycle will take anywhere from a couple weeks to many months. Optimal conditions for fleas are between 70-85°F and 70 percent humidity.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Thanks, guys! I did bathe the little furballs in dawn dish soap, and they just got topical flea prevention yesterday. The HS said they weren't quite old enough for it before, and they're still too young/little for Capstar. They're about 6-8 weeks-ish, and I've had them nearly a month. Two of the five finally reached 2lbs (yay!), but the other three are still pretty ribby. So, assuming the topical flea stuff is any good (which brand they used wasn't listed in the updated medical charts I rec'd), they should starve out on their own? Unless, of course, I become their next food source. I don't have to wash everything in my house then? Just the stuff in the cat room, once the feline vectors of pestilence go up for adoption?

Yikes. What if I do become their next food source? I do shower daily, though, so certainly not....right? Is there a Seresto collar for humans? LOL!

you may get a random bite, but fleas aren't lice... they won't take up residence on you, especially if you bathe on the daily LOL.

 

[JohnMzreef]

Most spot-on products have a minimum age of 8 weeks. The minimum age for Capstar is 4 weeks, although if they are less than 2 pounds you will have to split the pill.
More effective than bathing is combing - sort of like combing a child's hair for lice. You can then dunk the fleas in a little saucer of alcohol to kill them. Good luck

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I bought a duplex rentals years ago that was vacant for 5 months and The upper unit was full of fleas. Fleas do lay eggs and many of them and they go dormant in the winter and re-emerge in spring. They don't just go away and do not need a food source to carry/produce eggs

Eliminating Fleas
Use your knowledge of the flea life cycle to eliminate an infestation. Treat the environment properly by vacuuming regularly for several weeks and thoroughly washing bedding and toys in hot soapy water to remove eggs, larvae, and pupae. Remember to seal and remove vacuum bags after a cleaning session. You can even encourage faster emergence of the remaining pupae with a humidifier and an increase in the home temperature. Once all the hibernating pupae have emerged, you can make sure they are all destroyed. The household can be (cautiously) treated with sprays and foggers.

When it comes to eliminating fleas from your pet and from your home, there are some key things to consider. First, it is very important to be familiar with and understand the life cycle of the flea when you are trying to eradicate their presence completely.

There are four stages in the life cycle of a flea: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Depending on the environmental temperature and humidity levels, the total life cycle will take anywhere from a couple weeks to many months. Optimal conditions for fleas are between 70-85°F and 70 percent humidity.

We're not talking infestation numbers though... and rentals are a entirely different scenarios (I've seen some nightmares). Some basic cleaning and precautions are all that's needed at this point. Dawn removes all stages of fleas. Again fleas aren't like lice, the eggs aren't nearly as hard to remove.

 

[fish farmer]

I had a situation with fleas when I cared for an exgirlfriend's cat's. When I gave the cats back, both my living room and my bedroom carpets had fleas. When I would get out of bed they would jump on my ankles and bite. I've been around cats/fleas most of my life and never had this happen. I think I used a Biospot carpet cleaner a couple of times and that got rid of them.

 

[WVNed]

Biological weapons of mass destruction- LOL! I love it! What product(s) do you use?

I haven't had to bomb the house in 7-8 years so I dont remember. I tend to go straight to foggers and treat the entire house. The new oral meds are so good I havent had to do that anymore.
I found a kitten at work but the vet gave her something to kill fleas and that was 20 years ago. She was quite small

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Most spot-on products have a minimum age of 8 weeks. The minimum age for Capstar is 4 weeks, although if they are less than 2 pounds you will have to split the pill.
More effective than bathing is combing - sort of like combing a child's hair for lice. You can then dunk the fleas in a little saucer of alcohol to kill them. Good luck

Agree that a fine tooth comb can do a lot of good too... I normally do that during the bath, esp when there's a good many live fleas visible.

 

[sfin52]

Treating the kittens with flea drops from vet will kill off all fleas given enough time. Fleas have a complete life cycle. Egg larvae pupa adult. Eggs are almost impossible to kill the larvae live in the carpet fibers bedding and such feeding off the adult flea feces. To turn into adults they form a cocoon and change into an adult. This is another stage very hard to kill. Than they emerge as adults. Think butterfly.
Any contact killers has to be repeated daily to get the adults and larvae. I would treat the kitties and than remove all pets except fish tank and have the house treated. Wait 4 hours and return to the house. Cover the fish tank turn of all.pumps and skimmer cover all with towels.

 

[Tamberav]

+1, clear Ivory/Dawn dish soap is what I have used with small kittens. It kills the fleas quickly, just be sure to rise the kitten well and keep it out of their eyes. You can also buy a cheap flea comb to help comb the bodies out.

Remember dawn dish soap is what they use to clean up wild life/birds from oil! That is why it has a picture of a baby duck on it.

Wash everything in hot water/soap and vacuum, empty the vacuum right away into a trash and toss it out.

Fleas have always been really easy to deal with tbh. I never spray pesticides as soap and cleaning has always been able to deal with them. Usually it is a visiting dog that brings them in.... doh.

I would not use spot on without a vet prescribing it. We don't know about your kittens or their health and we are not vets. Some animals do have very bad reactions to it.

 

[WVNed]

No fleas allowed
Bear and Kit cat who weighed 2 ounces and had to be fed with a tube a few weeks ago.

Kit cat is going to college with Jeanna.

and Louie who is going to stay with us.

My daughter works at the animal emergency clinic. They are inundated with tiny kittens people bring in. Most are destroyed unless someone is willing to do the work of fostering and feed them every 2 hours and stimulating them to evacuate and urinate..

these two made it.

 

[cmcoker]

Hey, I'm a Vet Tech. You've received good advice. Treat the dog with something from the Vet for the next few months and the kittens when they are old enough. Wash their bedding regularly. For the dog any of the orals are great, one dose of Bravecto will cover 3 months or a few monthly doses of Nexgard, Credelio, or Simparica.

Careful with topicals such as Frontline, if you dont wash hands thoroughly and stick your hands in the tank it can kill crustaceans. Happened with one of the Drs work tank, his cleaner shrimp died within minutes of him sticking hand in the tank after applying Frontline to a patient. [emoji53]

 

[biecacka]

In addition to DE in the carpet, I have heard table salt too. It dries out any eggs.

Corey