shon asked 7 years ago
I read your prior posts about fleas not being able to live on clothing for long. However, I’ve been through spray and bombing treatments and last week, I pulled out a handkerchief from my purse and it had some flea bits on it. I was alarmed so turned it inside out and started spraying with Vet’s Best Flea Spray and 3 fell into the tub. This also made me eye everything in my closet suspiciously also. I’d laundered everything and also dry cleaned what I could and froze the other stuff.
I have no idea how long they had been in there but now I’m worried that they’ve been transported to the office, etc. I had no pets when it started but I believe I tracked them in while feeding a stray in the area.
In the midst of all this, I had a friend’s cat for a week (they were dying and dropping from her while she was with me; she’d been treated with Frontline Plus). She’s now been gone for 4 days but I guess the ultimate question is, when I spray again this weekend with Virbac Knockout area treatment, is it necessary to launder absolutely everything and freeze or dry clean clothes that can’t be laundered?!
I’ll be working mostly alone and the thought of handling the spraying, vacuuming, laundry, and car detailing is overwhelming.
Thank you for your help!
Adam Retzer Staff answered 7 years ago
Shon,
It’s strange that fleas were found on your handkerchief within your purse. Fleas don’t have any reason to be on fabrics or clothes like this. It may be a weird exception in your situation.
Usually fleas are only found on clothing (and other similar items) if they are on the floor and infested animal rests on them. Then eggs can fall there and the fleas will develop into adults.
Fleas can also be found on clothing people are wearing. But fleas will bite people as soon as they find exposed skin, and then they leave. If they can’t find a way off, they may temporarily stay in clothing.
That said, the fleas shouldn’t be on any clothing in your closet. So there wouldn’t be a need to further sanitize these items.
Adult fleas live permanently on their host animal once it’s acquired. Eggs are then laid on the animal and they fall into the environment. Once the eggs mature into adults, the adults immediately seek a warm-blooded animal host. So, at no point should they be attracted to your clothes/closet.
I hope this helps.
Adam
Lisa
replied 5 years ago What if the host animal loved laying in your closet under your clothes?
Heather
replied 5 years ago Adam,
In regards to flea’s eggs from host falling where they laid, what happens if eggs were on laundry dog was on before you knew of infestation, and clothes were put away in closets and drawers? Do I need to take out everything and wash?
Adam RetzerThen there is a reasonable likelihood there are fleas developing on, under, or around those clothes.
For peace of mind you may want to. However, the infestation isn’t going to continue on the clothing. Eggs will hatch and become adults in 17-26 days. Then they will die in around a week if they don’t find a host.
