I’m guessing our cat has had fleas since mid-July of this year. Never dealt with this in our lives, so we had no idea she had fleas for so long and was treated by our vet 2 months after (mid Sept.). By then, I’m sure we had many eggs, larva and pupae in our home. The vet treated her with Revolution and an exterminator was in our home at the same time we had the cat at the vet. He said he used Precor. The fleas were out of control, so 3 weeks later, we used a spray called Vet-Kem (this product is an IGR + adulticide, I believe) that we bought at the Vets.
We have been using this bi-weekly and treating our cat monthly with revolution. I have not seen a live flea in a few weeks but I do see bite marks on my children and myself. I know it is finally slowing down. I guess my question is if we are doing the right things (treating the home-spraying everywhere by moving furniture and our indoor cat), how long do you think it will take to be gone with it? We let our cat roam everywhere and we’re in each room daily. It is so much work, just want them gone for good.
Based on the information you’ve provided, I would expect your problem to last around 3-6 more weeks. I say this because from what you included in your message, it would appear that you’re doing most everything you can and that you’re making positive progress. Your pet is still in the area, you’ve treated the home, you’ve treated the pet and for now, you seem to be content in letting the products do their thing. At this time it’s anyone’s guess just how many pupae are still left in your home developing and getting ready to hatch. And as our article explains, this is important.
Now in case you didn’t yet read up on the FLEA CYCLE, I suggest you do so. In this reading you’re learn about the four stages of fleas along with how we’re able to get quick control three stages but not all four. In fact it’s that third stage, the FLEA PUPAE, which enables the flea to be so persistent and problematic. And I’m sure it’s this third stage you’re still dealing with for the time being. The good news is if the products that have been applied to the pet and home were used properly, no new fleas should be developing. And in the end, this is critical if you want to break the life cycle of this pest.
Regarding the flea bites you and your kids are still seeing; it’s quite possible this will continue to happen for the next few weeks as the last of the pupae hatch. As our reading explains, the pupae will only hatch when they sense a target and people will no doubt provide a good blood meal for any flea. But since there isn’t a lot of good areas for a flea to live on a person, they commonly hatch onto a person, bite and leave. In the end the only evidence they leave is the bite mark. Unfortunately this will continue to happen until the last of the pupae hatch but again, if they’re not able to successfully develop in the home or on the pet, pupae hatching won’t matter. They’re just a pain you’ll need to deal with for a short time but soon they too should be gone.
Now once they jump off you and onto the floor, the treatments you stated are in place should handle the rest so in theory, they should not be able to repopulate.
Hope this helps and better explains what to expect regarding this nasty pest. In closing, you may want to get some FLEA TRAPS installed throughout the home. These do a wonderful job of monitoring the premises so should a flea problem begin to develop, you can see evidence of it long before it becomes a major ordeal.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Flea Life Cycle: www.flea.net/flea-control#flea_cycle
Flea Pupae: www.flea.net/flea-control#pupae
Flea Traps: www.bugspraycart.com/traps/electric/flea-trap
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