by Carol Roach
Member since:
June 15, 2006

May the Fleas of A Thousand Camels

July 01, 2008 06:21 PM EDT
views: 1094 | comments: 70

May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your ...

I don't know if it is an Irish curse or much older than that.

But I do know that someone has cursed me. Each year I get so infested with them that I want to die!

I had cats for 23 years but I never had a flea problem before moving into this flat three years ago.

Okay it was the first time my cats were ever let out, and it was the first time, I had a backyard, and it was the first time I lived directly over a cellar, either way I got fleas and I can't get rid of them.

The fleas attack me; they attach my feet and legs, they attack continuously day and night. I just killed 15 fleas, on my legs in the course of few hours.

The fleas give me infection and I constantly have to be on Benadryl. I can't describe the aggravation, and how I literally wish I could do myself in it is so bad. Keo had a visit with me and she saw the condition my legs and feet were in last year.

People say living on top of a cellar with no isolation under the floor could be the reason I have them; since my cats never had them before.

I have only one cat left, Junior, and he is flea free but the fleas are still in the floors.

I got Pyrethrin the standard formula for getting rid of fleas, but my bottle must be too old now because it is not working.

It is very hard to find that stuff here in Montreal I have been told that Quebec has a ban on chemicals.

Now my friends all know that I have very little money. And it takes time to get money together to get things like this that are not in not a regular budget (and just in case anyone assumes, no I have not asking for money I am just telling you about my sorry existence).

I was thinking of ordering from the States, and then there was the issue of could it come across the border without being rejected at customs.

Lots of the online stores like Petsmart, do not even ship to Canada.

And so I was reluctant to try to purchase Pryrethrin from the states for that reason.

A friend of mine told me to check out Amazon, so I did. I saw lots of Pryrethrin there, but I also saw something called Synergy. Synergy is a natural compound made from sand crystals, which is supposed to kill the fleas and their larvae.

I was so happy, the bottle was only $9.99 American, so I purchased it. Now, they did not give me a place to select the type of shipment I wanted, and bear in mind I am new to online shopping and I clicked accept order before I checked it.

The invoice came to my email box, 44 dollars and change. I nearly had heart failure. I wrote Amazon and asked why the delivery to Canada was more than the cost of the product and they explained they charged 3.95 for a foreign tax fee, 19.95 for delivery and 9.95 per pound for product. I told them it was way too much and I didn't have an option for shipment, they choose ups not me.

They were nice though. They said they could not change the shipping as it was already in progress but for this one time they would refund a portion of the shipping by 10.00. I was happy for that.

In all this I forget to tell my son to wait for the ups driver. I wake up yesterday to a notice saying they came but there was no answer and now I have to wait again while I suffer with these fleas from hell.

The number they left on the card to call, does not allow you to speak to anyone; it is just a recording. The say they come back the next business day, but today is Canada Day so they are not working. Now I have to wait until tomorrow and meanwhile they are biting like crazy.

I am a big woman they are having a feast for a King!

Did you ever have an infestation of any kind that was difficult to get rid of?

If so what did you do to get rid of it?

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Comments: 70

Charlene C. Jul 1, 2008, 6:38pm EDT
We had fleas at our other house. I don't know what to tell you Carol. It's terrible that you get bitten up like that. My daughter would get bit too... but I never did. I guess I don't taste good to them. When we moved from that house we don't have a flea problem now. Ivan doesn't have any now; I've looked and he doesn't have them.
Carol Roach Jul 1, 2008, 6:40pm EDT
thanks Adele, yes you know my situation,
Carol Roach Jul 1, 2008, 6:41pm EDT
good to hear that, Charlene, I am marked up for life I am afraid. I hope that synergy works.
Anne W. Jul 1, 2008, 6:42pm EDT
Sorry doesn't sound like fun. Good luck!
Debby C. Jul 1, 2008, 6:42pm EDT
Yikes, I pray the fleas flee before too long. I've never had that problem even when my kitty was an outdoorsman. I think that perhaps they are in the carpet if you have any, pull it up and get it out of there! Good luck!
I hate flees I fleas for you
jeni e. Jul 1, 2008, 6:59pm EDT
Call an exterminator, and invest for the infest so the fleas cannot digest. Resolution is the best flea stuff out there, advantage is very good, too. You must use it once a month, your cats, not you...fleas feed off of blood, human, animals, they are not picky, and a human can get tapeworm, hookworm from an infected flea. It is a total gross out. Good luck. DE is excellent to sprinkle around your doors and porch. It is a very fine powder made of of literally kazillions of plankton skeletons, silicon based (I think) anyway when the little boogers feed on it, it reaked havoc on their exoskeleton and they die very quickly because they can not digest glass....ya think? Most pet stores sell it where fish can be bought because it is also used as a filtering medium for fish filtering systems. A little goes a long way, and try very hard not to breath it. Be gone fleas and die!
~~ Sarina ~~ Jul 1, 2008, 7:01pm EDT
I used borax and salt to help rid my carpet of fleas. I sprinkled them on the carpet and let them sit for 12 hours and vacuumed the residue up. It took a few times to rid the carpet of them.
Salt is a very effective, very cheap way to control the fleas. Sprinkle the carpet and furniture with it, and let it sit over night. Vacuum the next morning. After that, do it every other night until you have no more fleas.

In the future, do this at the very first sign of fleas. You can also sprinkle it at the door ways in case it's coming in without the cats bringing them in.
Bill's Spirit Jul 1, 2008, 7:20pm EDT
There are actually quite a few options.

Salt is one, brewer's yeast is another, and you can create a citrus spray with a lemon and some boiling water. Lavender also works, as does cedar, and I've heard that tea will also work.

Anyway, best of luck. Here's a web site that I checked my facts at.

Control Fleas with All Natural Remedies
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Jul 1, 2008, 7:23pm EDT
Make yourself a batch of hearty garlic soup... fleas don't like the taste of garlic in the blood.
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Jul 1, 2008, 7:25pm EDT
Make a natural pesticide by mixing one part table salt with eight parts Borax powder. Spread the mixture throughout your home, especially on stairways, under beds, in your pet's bed and under carpets and area rugs. Use a facemask to avoid inhaling the fumes. The mixture is perfectly safe to leave on the floors after working it in with a broom or stiff bristled brush. Allow the mixture to do its work for 48 hours, then vacuum it up.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/getridoffleas
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Jul 1, 2008, 7:30pm EDT
Also, once they are in your area, you must break their life cycle... here's a nice natural way... ( I love this site lol)
http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=2779

This site seems very informative too, although you shouldn't use garlic for dogs as they can be poisoned by a chemical that is found in both garlic and onions.

http://thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=28&sec=2
Sandi S. Jul 1, 2008, 7:31pm EDT
I lived in a bottom floor apartment for a while that had a water problem (the floor was damp sometimes). I lived there for a few months before I noticed the first flea. It was horrible. I have no cats, no animals, and no idea how fleas got into the apartment. I live in the States and those flea bombs did the trick, but I had to do it a few times. I also had the complex exterminator come in just too make sure. I know you are short on funds, but I think calling an exterminator is your best bet.
Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Jul 1, 2008, 7:31pm EDT
Best of luck! Fleas are a terror. Went through that one year and threw everything I could find at them.

..
U wishing you laughter
Amanda J. Jul 1, 2008, 7:45pm EDT
Borax helps some, but that best thing is a bomb for the house. The one I used had permithrin.
Kathryn E. Jul 1, 2008, 7:53pm EDT
I would say to bathe your cats, clean your house, change the box, get rid of any fruit. The only time there was an infestation that I knew of, was from another cat. That was in Toronto, when the cat was forced to go to a vet to get rid of fleas. I had them in my hair and my cat had them in her hair. We had to keep my cat upstairs until the fleas were gone.

Bathing your cats =also !!! Give them a lion cut. Very popular in the East End of Montreal, on Laval, I can tell you. With no fur (except on their head) the fleas will be less likely to bite them.They will be less hot.

Other than that, I don't know.
Andrea (Ms. Conservative) L. Jul 1, 2008, 8:10pm EDT
We use exterminators down here. Sorry can't help you more than commiserate for you.
Sharon P. Jul 1, 2008, 8:36pm EDT
Frontline got rid of them for us. Hope that helps. Just a tiny syringe dab on Apricot between the shoulder blades. It even killed the eggs.
Patricia J. Jul 1, 2008, 8:59pm EDT
I had fleas one summer and nothing got rid of them, not even the exterminator. I didn't have a dog or a cat but I sure got bit. I'm sorry I can only sympathize with you. But it sounds like you've gotten some very good advice already so I would try some of them.
Erica Hidvegi Jul 1, 2008, 9:06pm EDT
Carol you are not an example of 'sorry existence' so I will disregard that part of your post and concentrate on finding some help for you. Can you get a hold of natural essential oils of herbs and stuff like lavendar? If so, go to this site I found and see if you can repel the fleas this way cause if fleas are still in the floors, Junior will get affected.Natural Flea Repellant
Janet H. Jul 1, 2008, 10:12pm EDT
We have 12 cats and 2 dogs but no fleas. I put Revolution drops on the dogs once a month and that keeps them from bringing fleas into the house and giving them to the cats. If I ever find a flea on a cat, then all 12 cats get a dose of Revolution too. And, yes, its very expensive for all the pets we have but worth it to keep fleas away. Once fleas get into the house they are hard to get rid of. In the past, we sprayed the carpet and furniture with the flea spray that keeps the eggs from hatching besides killing the fleas. But an exterminator would probably be best and it might not be terribly expensive for them to make one visit or two at the most. If you rent where you live, make the landlord pay for the exterminator. Also, wash all bedding, pillows, throw rugs, etc. in very hot water and run them through a hot clothes dryer. If you can't get an exterminator, set off a flea bomb in the cellar besides treating the house or apartment.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jul 2, 2008, 12:17am EDT
Oh gosh Carol, sounds terrible! You've received the same recipes for natural remedies that I would have given you. I sure hope you get your stuff from UPS soon as I would imagine that those fleas are a pain!!

I have six indoor cats and no fleas, of course I have them all wearing flea collars and once a month I shake some flea repellent powder onto all of the carpeted floors in the house and let it set for a day and then vacuum up lest my poor kitties get fleas from visitors.

Good luck!
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 2:43am EDT
thanks anne
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 2:44am EDT
Debbie they are in the cracks in the hard wood floor, we don't have carpet just the floor and the cellar below.
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 2:46am EDT
jene the cat gets treated every month he doesn't have fleas, it is in the floor, the best stuff is pryrethrin I have done all the research, but I am going to try this synergy and see what happens first, why because I live on a fixed income I cannot for over 100 dollars for an exterminator.
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 2:47am EDT
thanks Sarnia I will see what this new stuff does and if it doesn't work I will try the borax and salt as you suggested.
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 2:51am EDT
thank you so much Heather, I will do that too, that sounds like a great solution.
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 2:53am EDT
gee Bill thank you so much, this is very helpful
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 2:53am EDT
I could do that too, thanks Quinn
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 2:55am EDT
can't afford the exterminator at all, so I will try all the other options first, thanks sandi
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 2:56am EDT
yes amanda permethrin or whatever is the compound that is used, it is spelled different ways.
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 2:58am EDT
Kathyrn the cat does have the fleas, the fleas are in the hard wood floor directly above the cellar with not protective flooring between the house floor and the cellar. We are going to try the synergy that I just bought and am waiting for it to come, after that I will try all the other suggestions gather people have come up with.
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 3:00am EDT
sharon the cat does not have fleas, and is treated every month just in case, it is the floors over the cellar that have the fleas in the cracks.
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 3:01am EDT
Yes Patricia, I will try the stuff I just purchased Synergy and I am waiting to get, then we will see what happens after that.
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 3:10am EDT
thanks again for all the sites, Quinn
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 3:50am EDT
thanks Janet
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 3:53am EDT
thanks Lee and Thanks Carl and thanks Esther
Kimber F. Jul 2, 2008, 4:16am EDT
My heart goes out to you. I have been in that situation before and threw everything we had at them. Once those buggers get in there it's heck to get them out again. I am like you, sweet to them. They love to bite me up. Unfortunately there is really no easy answer. I wish you the best of luck and peace.
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 4:56am EDT
thanks Kimber, I hope the crystals will work and then we have all the other solutions that gather members have provided as well.
Sandre M. Jul 2, 2008, 10:05am EDT
Carol,
You've gotten some great advice already. I know when we had fleas one summer it was a combination of "flea bombs", keeping the animals bathed and de-flea'd constantly and vacumning until I thought I'd shred the carpet. It's not about your pet, it's just the time of the year for fleas. Good luck!
Sharon B. Jul 2, 2008, 12:22pm EDT
They are hard to get rid of so make sure you are diligent and don't miss a treatment with any animals.
Kimber L. Jul 2, 2008, 1:51pm EDT
Moved into a duplex where the neighbors had really bad roaches and we didn't know until we moved in and they started coming through the light fixtures for the heat. WE FREAKED OUT!!! We moved out instantly put all of our stuff into storage and bug bombed it repeatedly, bought new clothes, blankets and a chaise lounge to live on while we repeatedly bug bombed and washed our stuff. we left it in storage through the winter and then brought it back in NO MORE BUGS.
Kimber L. Jul 2, 2008, 1:55pm EDT
We watched when the exterminator went into neighbors side to kill the bugs and there were so many in their half of the duplex that they were shin high on the guy and swarmed up his body as he tried to go inside. WHAT KIND OF NASTY PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN THAT KIND OF FILTH and why the hell would they rent a DUPLEX so that others have to suffer their stupidity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 4:39pm EDT
sandre believe it or not I have had fleas all years and that is not supposed to be, but it is that darn cellar underneath me, it is always damp, humid, and even mold is growing the landlord is supposed to be cleaning it up this summer some time.
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 4:41pm EDT
I don't know what to tell you Kimber.
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 4:46pm EDT
yes Sharon, I will be deligent about it for sure.
K D. Jul 2, 2008, 5:24pm EDT
I think that saying sounds more from The Middle East than Ireland. But, what do I know? HA HA!!

As for the fleas in your home, I would call the exterminator. This sounds much bigger than any remedy you could do yourself. Let the professionals handle it.

Keep us posted?
Carol Roach Jul 2, 2008, 5:38pm EDT
thanks K.D, it is only localized to the living room, the fleas that is, been like this for three years, I fight them off each year.
Thomas W. Jul 2, 2008, 11:29pm EDT
my ex struggles with roaches--ev'ry time she bombs her apartment, they merely skitter next-door...

...and return in short order.

sorry to hear it. -here's to hoping your shipped works well.
Carol Roach Jul 3, 2008, 12:10am EDT
I got the stuff today, seems it is whatever one is talking about, it is borax
jeni e. Jul 3, 2008, 5:38pm EDT
Hey, I forgot about borax...or rather it has a very high percentage of borax. I did mention the product D.E. It is diatamacious earth (kazillions of plankton skeletons) Good luck with the borax, at least they die squeeky clean. Tootles!!!
Susan B. Jul 3, 2008, 7:37pm EDT
We used to have a terrible problem with the fleas and we don't have a cellar and our cat doesn't leave the apartment. We've been using Advantage on her every 6 months or so and are now flea free.
Carol Roach Jul 3, 2008, 8:55pm EDT
jeni, I am still bite tonight, I wonder how long it takes for them to go away.
Carol Roach Jul 3, 2008, 8:56pm EDT
thats great Susan but my problem is the floor underneath my feet, my cat gets his monthly treatment, it is just me, they love me, I wish they wouldn't
Patti M. Jul 5, 2008, 11:05pm EDT
Carol, I feel so sorry for you. I haven't had this problem before. It does sound like you have some options though. Good luck and God bless.
Carol Roach Jul 5, 2008, 11:34pm EDT
yes Patti, they seem to be better, still some since I got the stuff but not as many so I have to do a few more applications before they leave for good.
Deborah D. Jul 6, 2008, 1:37am EDT
good luck - may the fleas die off soon - and whatever method you use be safe for you and your furry one
Carol Roach Jul 6, 2008, 2:41am EDT
I hope so too, I have been finding so many of them now more than any other year, it is awful but I have a good feeling that we will get rid of them.
Lyn Owen Jul 9, 2008, 2:20am EDT
FLEAS SUCK.
Carol Roach Jul 9, 2008, 3:06am EDT
You can say that again
Bob C. Jul 9, 2008, 3:12am EDT
Carol, I hope you are almost "flea free" at this point! ;-) I had them years ago after we had brought a stray puppy into the house. We had to hit with chemical warfare!
Carol Roach Jul 9, 2008, 4:13am EDT
there is less of them, but we have to get the new eggs as they hatch now, I read on a site that it takes at least two weeks,
L. H. Aug 6, 2008, 8:26am EDT
Wow, you got some interesting info., garlic seems to be good for so many things.
Carol Roach Aug 6, 2008, 1:34pm EDT
thank you L.H. I did here about that and I eat garlic now and then too.
Shannon R. Oct 13, 2008, 11:22pm EDT
Thanks for posting this to my group point4mepoint4u
Carol Roach Oct 14, 2008, 12:06am EDT
thanks shannon

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