HELP ASAP Fleas in my suitcase

QuestionsCategory: Flea InfestationsHELP ASAP Fleas in my suitcase
cats asked 7 years ago

I’m packing to move away while my cat has fleas and is spreading them all over the house… We vacuumed and treated the house and everything but a lot of my clothes were already packed before we knew about this, so I’m worried about bringing the fleas with me. There won’t be any pets where I’m living so I’m wondering if they will just die off when I get there or if its still a concern for me. Would it be worth it to spray the inside my packed suitcases with deet? I’ll also be traveling by plane if that makes any difference… could a change in altitude kill them?

1 Answers
Adam Retzer Staff answered 6 years ago

Fleas shouldn’t be on clothes unless they were on the floor and the cat slept on them. Fleas aren’t attracted to clothes, they are attracted to animals. They lay eggs directly on their host, but the eggs aren’t sticky and fall within a few hours. So if the cat slept on your clothes, eggs could have fallen there.

Without pets, the fleas shouldn’t be able to survive or reproduce. You will be in the clear at your new pet-free home.

Spraying the inside of your luggage is probably unnecessary. Especially with DEET, since it’s a repellent and not insecticide. Regardless, fleas shouldn’t be on your belongings anyway.

I’m not sure about the altitude change on an airplane. I’ve heard that rumor related to killing lice. I don’t think it’s true though, but I’m not positive.

I apologize I couldn’t answer sooner, as a timely response looks necessary. Hopefully this is still useful.

Top