Getting Rid of Cat Fleas

Teresa,
We have a new kitten, and he keeps bringing in fleas! I have completely vacuumed the house, washed all the bedding, cleaned the carpets, and we are still getting bitten! He does wear a fresh flea collar. I checked with the vet and they said the one-drop-on- the-back stuff is effective, but $35! Do you know of any frugal way to save my flea-chomped family?
Deb

1. My impression, after reading the post from the kitten-owner, is that they are allowing the kitten to go outdoors. Stop this habit immediately. There is no way you can control fleas if an animal goes outdoors unless you use the "Advantage" (drops on the back stuff mentioned in the note). Not only will outdoor life bring in a fresh supply of fleas EVERY time the baby goes outside, it can shorten the life of the cat.
   
   
2. The "one-drop-on-the-back stuff" is very effective and, in my opinion, worth the expense for one or two cats. In a multiple- cat household, such as ours, it is not reasonable.
   
   

However, if you do not want to spend the money, I would do the following:

• Treat your carpets with Borax. Sprinkle Borax on all carpeted areas. Let it "settle" for 24 hours and vacuum. Borax kills flea eggs (not the adult fleas). Please be aware, you'll need to repeat this treatment every two- to-three weeks to keep the fleas under control. Therefore, it may not be all that cost-effective. (editor's note: Some parents prefer to keep Borax away children. Especially if the children crawl or play on the carpets.)
  
  
• We treat our carpets professionally once a year (we use "Flea Masters"). The treatment is also non-toxic and has a one-year warranty. Using this method, we have not had a flea in this house for almost four years.
  
  
• Bathe the kitten with a flea shampoo recommended by your vet. Again, this treatment is only short-term as most of the fleas are living in the carpet or in the yard, not on the kitten.

Teresa and her husband, Bob, have been breeding and showing Maine Coon Cats for eight years. You can reach them at: mainetoons@flinet.com

Share your thoughts about this article with the editor: Click Here

Leave a Comment

Get free money-saving articles in your inbox!

Sign up for our free weekly eNewsletter Surviving Tough Times.

Looking for an answer to a frugal living question? Click here to ask a Dollar Stretcher Stretchpert!

Subscribe to TDS Newsletters

To subscribe, check the newsletters you wish to receive, enter your email address and then click Subscribe.

Surviving Tough Times Dollar Stretcher Parents Dollar Stretcher Tips The Dollar Stretcher (text-based)

Financial Independence TDS Special Offers The Computer Lady Computer Lady Lessons Healthy Foods

---

Your money saving idea could win you $100!

Each month one TDS reader will win $100 just for telling us your favorite time or money saving idea. It could be you!
Click here to share your idea.

Recent winners are:
- Michelle from NC
- Matt from CO
- Joan from CT
- Joanne in New York

---

Money problems? The Dollar Stretcher can help: Afraid to lose your job? Struggling with credit card debt? Help for your mortgage? Can't pay your debts? Need some extra income? Fighting bad credit? What you need to know about bankruptcy? Become money smart? Trouble repaying student loans?

Copyright 1996 - 2012 "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." All rights reserved unless specifically noted.

Contact the Dollar Stretcher at:
Dollar Stretcher
PO Box 14160
Bradenton FL 34280
Voice 941-761-7805
Fax 941-761-8301

"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.

Also In This Week's Issue

• 35 year old kid moves back home. Now what?
• Where to invest emergency funds
• 6 ways conventional wisdom wastes money
• Can your paycheck be garnished for an old debt?
• Video: Master your money with on-line tools

In The Dollar Stretcher Community

• Container Gardening: Plants In a shoe bag!
• Waste Not Tips: Using egg yolks

Reader Favorites

• Using steam cleaners on hardwood floors
• Taking over car payments - good idea?
• Frugal hearty breakfasts
• Durable dog chews
• Cleaning down-filled items
• Building a 'finished basement'
• Curing athlete's foot