My 2 cats have fleas and they have spread through my house! I have used a flea applicator on both of them and they still have eggs all over them. I'm pregnant, so I really don't want to put anything unnatural in my house like sprays or bombs. I've been reading about using Borax--anyone every had any success with this? Also, are these eggs on them still living? What can I do to get rid of all the eggs?
My Stepfather always told my sister that that would happen when she wore all that Lipstick. :mrgreen: Congratulations on the pregnancy, condolences on the fleas!
20 Mule Team Borax http://www.4042.com/4042forums/showthread.php?t=14226&highlight=fleas&page=2 :hurray:
I bought the Borox and I'm only going to use it as a last resort. I've been vacuuming every day and they seem to be getting controlled just by that. I've been wearing white socks to watch for the little buggers and to prevent them from biting me any more. This just plain stinks!!!
No, they don't drown, and if you dump the water outside, they will be ready to come right back in on your shoes & socks. Flush that dirty water down the toilet!
Why only as a last resort? Borax is non-toxic when you use the amounts you would use. It removes odors from carpets and furniture fabric like baking soda would. The only thing it will harm is FLEAS! Even without any fleas in a home, there are a good many people who use it as an unscented carpet freshener - it absorbs odors.
http://www.naturemoms.com/dangers-of-borax.html Keep in mind that I am pregnant, and my kitties will end up walking in it. Government sites recommend that people who work with Borax use gloves and handle it with caution. Studies have linked it to reproductive problems in some lab animals, as well as a host of serious disorders at higher levels. Boric acid is an acute eye and respiratory tract irritant, which is quite toxic if ingested. In addition, it is unavailable in parts of Europe because of concerns that it caused birth defects and problems with the reproductive organs of children. It is recommended that pregnant women and children in particular do not have exposure to Borax.
Didn't know about the pregnancy part - and guess you can't be too careful - no going near cat litter etc. . .they say the same thing about haircolor and perms being dangerous, yet I worked alongside pregnant stylists who handled the chemicals until days before giving birth and they had no ill-effects. . .but I can see where you wouldn't want to take a chance. Why not just put the kitties in a carrier and place it in a small bathroom. You go out shopping for an hour or so and while you're out, have your hubby or another adult shake some out of the can (like carpet fresh is used) wait a half hour and vacuum it all up and dispose of the bag? I read the article and can't imagine using 20 Mule Team Borax in a recipe that is ingested. . .people are nuts! I use it a couple times a week in laundry as our water is horribly hard, I've vacuumed with it once a week faithfully for almost a decade. In the Spring and summer I sprinkle it in my kitties outdoor house (for if there's bad weather and she's outside till we get home) and let it sit for an hour and then shake out her bedding - have done this for 7 years and she's over 16 and healthy. We never have fleas and have suffered no ill effects. But, like I said. . .I'm not pregnant. I don't blame you for being leery - don't know anything else that isn't a toxic chemical - like a flea bomb - which is definitely harmful to be around. Good luck! BTW - in your OP you said that you used a flea applicator (you mean like Frontline or Advantix?) I HAVE read that these types of products can be dangerous to use on pregnant animals, so wouldn't they be dangerous to a pregnant human?
Oh Lord. Probably. I need to read up on it. I have be VERY careful about washing my hands immediately after snuggling kitties.
