Help with a flea problem

[Bayar]

Yeah, although I dont have a cat or dog (only a small parrot), somehow I have a flea infestation or something. Dunno how they got here, but the buggers dont wanna leave. Over the course of 2 weeks, I personally killed about 14. I used specialised poison and for a couple of days, no problem. Now, I found another one and he managed to escape before I could manage to kill it.

Suggestions as to how to get rid of them ? Local infestation, under the desk, bedroom. They like to feast upon my ankles.

[Supagoof]

I heard that Dawn soap kills fleas instantly. Of course, that would mean getting out the mop and bucket and making a fairly high dilution of soap/water ratio to spread around the floor, but that should do the trick. :smallsmile:

@Edit: Assuming of course, your floor isn't carpeted. :smalleek: If it is...then V's suggestion should work just the same.

[Dirk Kris]

In the meantime, regular vacuuming (at least once a day) helps.

[Serpentine]

I had a nasty infestation for a while, once. I used a whole lot of flea powder all over the carpet and vacuumed it up, vacuumed regularly for a while and put down more powder a few days later (if the powder doesn't kill the eggs, you'll end up with a new generation rocking up, which is probably what happened to you).
I have a cat, so I also defleaed him and washed, vacuumed and/or powdered everything he tended to sleep on. It might be worth doing the same to, say, your bed or chair, depending on where you think they might be.

[Bayar]

Then I should put powder in the vacuum too, since the eggs will just hatch inside the thing.

[LCR]

Torch your flat.
Then see a doctor.

[Trog]

Call someone in to fumigate. Seriously.

*cue story:*

Once, long ago my ex-wife (not ex at that point though) called this place which offered to come and clean your carpets for free. Well the place they came from just before ours was some house full of dogs that apparently had been infested with fleas. In no time we were getting bit left and right. We had to call in a fumigator who told us that we had had the worst infestation that he has ever seen in his 20 year career. He had to strip out of his clothes inside his car once he was done because they were still all over him. It was truly an awful week or so.

But one fumigation later they were completely dead and never came back. I highly recommend it. I also highly discourage vacuum salesmen visiting your house. 'M jus' sayin'.

[Khanderas]

I know lice can only live about a day or two without a host. Check how long it is for fleas, then scrub down, wear fresh clothes and bunk elsewhere for that amount of time, if it is short enough.

[mikej]

I know lice can only live about a day or two without a host. Check how long it is for fleas, then scrub down, wear fresh clothes and bunk elsewhere for that amount of time, if it is short enough.

+1

the scent from dried Lavender, Lemonbalm, and Rosemary can quickly repel fleas and other annoying insects. Especially the Lemonbalm (Melissa officinalis) if it's used like burning incense. I grow the Lemonbalm mainly for this purpose in my herb garden. :smallbiggrin:

[Bayar]

I know lice can only live about a day or two without a host. Check how long it is for fleas, then scrub down, wear fresh clothes and bunk elsewhere for that amount of time, if it is short enough.

1-2 years without eating.

[Lupy]

The flea powder will also kill your parrot. Just so you know.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

Kerosene. Lots of it.