Lynn Duncan asked 5 years ago
Hi Adam,
First of all, you are the only person’s advice I truly trust regarding flea infestations. Your website is extremely helpful and has been keeping me sane throughout this horrible flea infestation in my home. I brought in two feral kittens and had them an entire month before I even knew they had fleas…the vet didn’t even mention it to me…or maybe she didn’t check them for them?? Regardless, my home ended up with a full flea infestation. Just horrible!! My homes has NO carpeting in it whatsoever, it has only tile flooring throughout, plus a concrete basement floor. Is this why the fleas attacked ALL of my clothing in my closets and drawers? I took some of my clothes out to the trunk of my car to freeze during the winter months (about two months now) and the rest I had to wash but keep them in plastic bins/plastic bags because I’m afraid they’ll become a flea target again if I don’t. I’ve recently sprayed an IGR all over my tile floors, but how often do I need to spray these floors? Also, my yard outside is all gravel…but I have a colony of feral cats living on the side of my house (which is where my two kittens came from). I am in the process of trying to live-trap the ferals outside but also need to spray my gravel. How often should my gravel yard be sprayed? And with what? These ferals are out there all the time.
Adam Retzer Staff answered 5 years ago
Lynn,
I’m sorry to hear about the infestation. I imagine it would be fairly severe if it went unnoticed for a month.
It’s strange that the fleas went to the clothing in your closets and drawers. Fleas generally aren’t attracted to these kinds of items (read about attraction factors). Typically fleas develop where the host spends time. Flea eggs fall from the host within a few hours of being laid. So, if the kittens were spending time around your drawers and closets, then it would make sense for fleas to be developing there.
No flea stage can survive freezing temperatures for extended durations. So your method of putting the items in your car during winter should be effective.
Laundering garments should also kill any potential fleas.
The IGR should last 7 months indoors. If you re-apply, you shouldn’t need to do it more than once every few months.
Without carpets, fleas have very few places they can successfully develop. On hard floors, they are typically found in cracks and crevices, or other areas where debris collects. Or on areas rugs, pet beds, or cat trees. Focus on these areas.
Please see our page on How to get rid of fleas in yards for comprehensive information. It should answer your questions related to that.
Warm regards,
Adam
Srksi
replied 5 years ago “It’s strange that the fleas went to the clothing in your closets and drawers. Fleas generally aren’t attracted to these kinds of items (read about attraction factors). ”
I can confirm that they are attracted by clean cloth, god knows why.
Lora
replied 5 years ago Fleas do get in clothes and drawers and they can live there
