Cleaning for the fleas

I'm not sure what the flea situation is. Scooter still seems immune,
Nipsy's flea-combing comes out clean, but I still find some flea dirt
on Marlo though much less than before. So yesterday was all about
cleaning.

Naturally the flea outbreak came when we were separating all the
sheets. Winter sheets, summer sheets, queen, twin, and whatever. This
was all with an eye towards discarding all sheets that aren't really
needed. We have lots of sheets left over from the whole family going
to Cap May and we aren't going there anymore.

So they were in piles around the living room and the cats had free
access to all this bedding. I can't in good conscience donate sheets
that might have fleas on them. So the washing machine ran all day long
for the sheets and the various bedding that was already on the beds.
Lots of big plastic bags to store stuff that is clean or is not clean.
Oh, and all the cat bedding of course.

Plus vacuuming. Lots of vacuuming. Not just a one shot deal either.
Mostly hopeless, there is just too much stuff around. So, first clean
the floors, vacuum the floors, and leave them clean because the
upstairs and downstairs Roombas are going to be running twice a day
until the epidemic is terminated. The computer room gets the big
cleanup tonight.

I didn't get a chance to do the frisbee full of soapy water trick last
night; that takes some planning since I need to lock the cats out of
whatever room is being frisbeed. I don't want them drinking soapy
water. But the first time I did it I only got maybe one flea.

I did see several fleas or gnats on the inside of the window screens.
That sort of surprised me because I haven't seen fleas anywhere else.
I think I saw a few flying around but it was sort of a blur and I'm
not sure that I really saw them. Ah, I just checked, they can't fly
but they can jump. Maybe I saw a gnat then.

DOWN WITH FLEAS! Now I'm going to have to watch the cats and suspect
worms. And the cleaning will continue. DEATH TO FLEAS.

"dgk" wrote in message ...

Plus vacuuming. Lots of vacuuming. Not just a one shot deal either.
Mostly hopeless, there is just too much stuff around. So, first clean
the floors, vacuum the floors, and leave them clean because the
upstairs and downstairs Roombas are going to be running twice a day
until the epidemic is terminated. The computer room gets the big
cleanup tonight.

I didn't get a chance to do the frisbee full of soapy water trick last
night; that takes some planning since I need to lock the cats out of
whatever room is being frisbeed. I don't want them drinking soapy
water. But the first time I did it I only got maybe one flea.

I did see several fleas or gnats on the inside of the window screens.
That sort of surprised me because I haven't seen fleas anywhere else.
I think I saw a few flying around but it was sort of a blur and I'm
not sure that I really saw them. Ah, I just checked, they can't fly
but they can jump. Maybe I saw a gnat then.

DOWN WITH FLEAS! Now I'm going to have to watch the cats and suspect
worms. And the cleaning will continue. DEATH TO FLEAS.

~~~~~~~~~~~
I have mentioned this previously, but it may be worth bringing it up again.
After you have finished vacuuming and emptying the bag or cannister, cut up
a flea collar into several small pieces and vacuum that into the
bag/cannister. *Do not* use these flea collars on your cats. Instead,
leave parts of one inside your vacuum so they can kill any eggs that may
hatch.

MaryL

"MaryL" wrote in message
...


"dgk" wrote in message ...

Plus vacuuming. Lots of vacuuming. Not just a one shot deal either.
Mostly hopeless, there is just too much stuff around. So, first clean
the floors, vacuum the floors, and leave them clean because the
upstairs and downstairs Roombas are going to be running twice a day
until the epidemic is terminated. The computer room gets the big
cleanup tonight.

I didn't get a chance to do the frisbee full of soapy water trick last
night; that takes some planning since I need to lock the cats out of
whatever room is being frisbeed. I don't want them drinking soapy
water. But the first time I did it I only got maybe one flea.

I did see several fleas or gnats on the inside of the window screens.
That sort of surprised me because I haven't seen fleas anywhere else.
I think I saw a few flying around but it was sort of a blur and I'm
not sure that I really saw them. Ah, I just checked, they can't fly
but they can jump. Maybe I saw a gnat then.

DOWN WITH FLEAS! Now I'm going to have to watch the cats and suspect
worms. And the cleaning will continue. DEATH TO FLEAS.

~~~~~~~~~~~
I have mentioned this previously, but it may be worth bringing it up
again. After you have finished vacuuming and emptying the bag or
cannister, cut up a flea collar into several small pieces and vacuum that
into the bag/cannister. *Do not* use these flea collars on your cats.
Instead, leave parts of one inside your vacuum so they can kill any eggs
that may hatch.

Good advice, Mary.
My dogs/cats never had fleas, maybe because the fleas could not survive
during the winter in my house. One day last winter it was -3C on my landing
when I got out of bed.
Fleas have no chance here.

On Tue, 9 Oct 2012 10:23:14 -0500, "MaryL"
wrote:



"dgk" wrote in message ...

Plus vacuuming. Lots of vacuuming. Not just a one shot deal either.
Mostly hopeless, there is just too much stuff around. So, first clean
the floors, vacuum the floors, and leave them clean because the
upstairs and downstairs Roombas are going to be running twice a day
until the epidemic is terminated. The computer room gets the big
cleanup tonight.

I didn't get a chance to do the frisbee full of soapy water trick last
night; that takes some planning since I need to lock the cats out of
whatever room is being frisbeed. I don't want them drinking soapy
water. But the first time I did it I only got maybe one flea.

I did see several fleas or gnats on the inside of the window screens.
That sort of surprised me because I haven't seen fleas anywhere else.
I think I saw a few flying around but it was sort of a blur and I'm
not sure that I really saw them. Ah, I just checked, they can't fly
but they can jump. Maybe I saw a gnat then.

DOWN WITH FLEAS! Now I'm going to have to watch the cats and suspect
worms. And the cleaning will continue. DEATH TO FLEAS.

~~~~~~~~~~~
I have mentioned this previously, but it may be worth bringing it up again.
After you have finished vacuuming and emptying the bag or cannister, cut up
a flea collar into several small pieces and vacuum that into the
bag/cannister. *Do not* use these flea collars on your cats. Instead,
leave parts of one inside your vacuum so they can kill any eggs that may
hatch.

MaryL

Thanks, I do need to pick up one of those collars.

"dgk" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 9 Oct 2012 10:23:14 -0500, "MaryL"
wrote:



"dgk" wrote in message ...

Plus vacuuming. Lots of vacuuming. Not just a one shot deal either.
Mostly hopeless, there is just too much stuff around. So, first clean
the floors, vacuum the floors, and leave them clean because the
upstairs and downstairs Roombas are going to be running twice a day
until the epidemic is terminated. The computer room gets the big
cleanup tonight.

I didn't get a chance to do the frisbee full of soapy water trick last
night; that takes some planning since I need to lock the cats out of
whatever room is being frisbeed. I don't want them drinking soapy
water. But the first time I did it I only got maybe one flea.

I did see several fleas or gnats on the inside of the window screens.
That sort of surprised me because I haven't seen fleas anywhere else.
I think I saw a few flying around but it was sort of a blur and I'm
not sure that I really saw them. Ah, I just checked, they can't fly
but they can jump. Maybe I saw a gnat then.

DOWN WITH FLEAS! Now I'm going to have to watch the cats and suspect
worms. And the cleaning will continue. DEATH TO FLEAS.

~~~~~~~~~~~
I have mentioned this previously, but it may be worth bringing it up
again.
After you have finished vacuuming and emptying the bag or cannister, cut
up
a flea collar into several small pieces and vacuum that into the
bag/cannister. *Do not* use these flea collars on your cats. Instead,
leave parts of one inside your vacuum so they can kill any eggs that may
hatch.

MaryL

Thanks, I do need to pick up one of those collars.

Let your house get very cold during the winter. Fleas cannot survive it.
I've never had fleas on my dogs or cats, ever. No fleas would survive -3C,
which I have had in my house during the winter . Both myself and Boyfie
didn't notice it as we both have good duvets. His is 13 tog and mine is 15.

On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 01:00:29 +0100, "Christina Websell"
wrote:


"dgk" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 9 Oct 2012 10:23:14 -0500, "MaryL"
wrote:



"dgk" wrote in message ...

Plus vacuuming. Lots of vacuuming. Not just a one shot deal either.
Mostly hopeless, there is just too much stuff around. So, first clean
the floors, vacuum the floors, and leave them clean because the
upstairs and downstairs Roombas are going to be running twice a day
until the epidemic is terminated. The computer room gets the big
cleanup tonight.

I didn't get a chance to do the frisbee full of soapy water trick last
night; that takes some planning since I need to lock the cats out of
whatever room is being frisbeed. I don't want them drinking soapy
water. But the first time I did it I only got maybe one flea.

I did see several fleas or gnats on the inside of the window screens.
That sort of surprised me because I haven't seen fleas anywhere else.
I think I saw a few flying around but it was sort of a blur and I'm
not sure that I really saw them. Ah, I just checked, they can't fly
but they can jump. Maybe I saw a gnat then.

DOWN WITH FLEAS! Now I'm going to have to watch the cats and suspect
worms. And the cleaning will continue. DEATH TO FLEAS.

~~~~~~~~~~~
I have mentioned this previously, but it may be worth bringing it up
again.
After you have finished vacuuming and emptying the bag or cannister, cut
up
a flea collar into several small pieces and vacuum that into the
bag/cannister. *Do not* use these flea collars on your cats. Instead,
leave parts of one inside your vacuum so they can kill any eggs that may
hatch.

MaryL

Thanks, I do need to pick up one of those collars.

Let your house get very cold during the winter. Fleas cannot survive it.
I've never had fleas on my dogs or cats, ever. No fleas would survive -3C,
which I have had in my house during the winter . Both myself and Boyfie
didn't notice it as we both have good duvets. His is 13 tog and mine is 15.


So far it looks like I won't need to go too crazy. No fleas have been
spotted lately. The cats have their Frontline, the vacuum bag has been
discarded,and the Roombas are keeping the floors pretty clean. It has
been at least a week since anything showed up on the fine tooth comb.
Maybe I got lucky and caught it early. I'm still being vigilant and
will re-Frontline the cats pretty quickly but I'm hoping not to have
to get it so cold that the pipes break. That gets expensive.

"dgk" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 01:00:29 +0100, "Christina Websell"
wrote:


"dgk" wrote in message
. ..
On Tue, 9 Oct 2012 10:23:14 -0500, "MaryL"
wrote:



"dgk" wrote in message
m...

Plus vacuuming. Lots of vacuuming. Not just a one shot deal either.
Mostly hopeless, there is just too much stuff around. So, first clean
the floors, vacuum the floors, and leave them clean because the
upstairs and downstairs Roombas are going to be running twice a day
until the epidemic is terminated. The computer room gets the big
cleanup tonight.

I didn't get a chance to do the frisbee full of soapy water trick last
night; that takes some planning since I need to lock the cats out of
whatever room is being frisbeed. I don't want them drinking soapy
water. But the first time I did it I only got maybe one flea.

I did see several fleas or gnats on the inside of the window screens.
That sort of surprised me because I haven't seen fleas anywhere else.
I think I saw a few flying around but it was sort of a blur and I'm
not sure that I really saw them. Ah, I just checked, they can't fly
but they can jump. Maybe I saw a gnat then.

DOWN WITH FLEAS! Now I'm going to have to watch the cats and suspect
worms. And the cleaning will continue. DEATH TO FLEAS.

~~~~~~~~~~~
I have mentioned this previously, but it may be worth bringing it up
again.
After you have finished vacuuming and emptying the bag or cannister, cut
up
a flea collar into several small pieces and vacuum that into the
bag/cannister. *Do not* use these flea collars on your cats. Instead,
leave parts of one inside your vacuum so they can kill any eggs that may
hatch.

MaryL

Thanks, I do need to pick up one of those collars.

Let your house get very cold during the winter. Fleas cannot survive it.
I've never had fleas on my dogs or cats, ever. No fleas would
survive -3C,
which I have had in my house during the winter . Both myself and Boyfie
didn't notice it as we both have good duvets. His is 13 tog and mine is
15.


So far it looks like I won't need to go too crazy. No fleas have been
spotted lately. The cats have their Frontline, the vacuum bag has been
discarded,and the Roombas are keeping the floors pretty clean. It has
been at least a week since anything showed up on the fine tooth comb.
Maybe I got lucky and caught it early. I'm still being vigilant and
will re-Frontline the cats pretty quickly but I'm hoping not to have
to get it so cold that the pipes break. That gets expensive.

g
run your vacuum hose over every seam in chairs/sofas, beds, and around the
edges of your carpets, that's where the little blighters hide out.
I do this occasionally even though I know they have no chance of surviving
the winter in my house and I never saw one, ever.

If you have a centrally heated house which is warm all the time, it's ideal
for fleas so get that vacuum out and suck them up from your soft furniture
seams as that's where they hide.

Christina Websell wrote:

Let your house get very cold during the winter. Fleas cannot survive it.
I've never had fleas on my dogs or cats, ever. No fleas would survive -3C,
which I have had in my house during the winter . Both myself and Boyfie
didn't notice it as we both have good duvets. His is 13 tog and mine is 15.

For how long do you need to keep it that cold, until the fleas die off?
A day or two? A week?

Not that that's an option where I live - I'm just curious.

--
Joyce

Something you'll never hear an 8-year-old say:

"Nana, will you spit on your hankie and wipe the gravy off my face?"

On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:00:30 +0000 (UTC), Bastette
wrote:

Christina Websell wrote:

Let your house get very cold during the winter. Fleas cannot survive it.
I've never had fleas on my dogs or cats, ever. No fleas would survive -3C,
which I have had in my house during the winter . Both myself and Boyfie
didn't notice it as we both have good duvets. His is 13 tog and mine is 15.

For how long do you need to keep it that cold, until the fleas die off?
A day or two? A week?

Not that that's an option where I live - I'm just curious.

And good duvet or not, I notice that kind of thing. And the cats would
be phoning the heat complaint hotline.

On 2012-10-24, Christina Websell wrote:

Let your house get very cold during the winter. Fleas cannot survive it.
I've never had fleas on my dogs or cats, ever. No fleas would survive -3C,
which I have had in my house during the winter . Both myself and Boyfie
didn't notice it as we both have good duvets. His is 13 tog and mine is 15.

What about the plumbing?

Bud