One of the worst things that can happen to you is a
flea infestation, because there is almost no cure. The only solution
seems to be to leave the house and go away. In my
case infestation started from a pet and got into my clothes. First it
was only in a pair of trousers that I carelessly left in my wardrobe.
Six months later, they have spread to each and every one of my clothes.
They have spread from underclothes to shirts to jackets to shirts. I
hardly have any clean clothes left. I tried all products on the market
and all the remedies with almost no success. They are persistent buggers
that the public hasn’t been adequately warned about. People would sooner talk about Lady Gaga than this. What a pity! Most flea control problems focus on getting rid of fleas from pets. This
is one of the few discussions that focusses on flea problem in clothes, here is a summary evaluation of some of the
things I have tried.
- Boric powder – This is the best solution to fleas in clothes. While it is slow to kill existing fleas, it prevents eggs from hatching. Boric powder is toxic to all insects as it forms acid that slowly eats them away. I don't have a time frame.
- Foggers – I have tried “Raid”, “Adams” and “Hot shot.” Raid killed 60% of the fleas the first time around, but they were all back with a vengeance after a week when new eggs hatched. The second application didn’t have any effect. Fleas develop resistance to chemical treatments. I have bombed my closet at least six times. It doesn't seem to kill the fleas inside the clothes. "Penetrating action" be damned
- Carpet powder – “Enforcer” brand carpet powder works best. It has to be sprinkled and left for a few hours. It too is effective only for a week. “Natures guardian” also seems to work short term, but has a nose busting odor.
- Sprays – "Biospot" works but is very expensive at $14.00 a pop. It works for about two weeks if sprayed on carpet, but not on clothes. I sprayed on my clothes and a week later, there is a new batch of hatched fleas. Same result with “Knockout.” Both have toxic fumes when sprayed. Some one told me that enforcer brand spray worked well. “Adams” and "Enforcer" spray has a petroleum base and can cause allergies. Not sure whether they work or not. I didn't have much luck with these.
- IGR – Insect growth regulators try to break up the flea life cycle. “Precor” I believe is a photodegradable IGR and is part of many sprays. I have ordered Nylar from bugsaway.com, which is supposed to be photostable, so please hold your breath and sprayed it in my house. Seems to work for a week after which it seems ineffective.
- Natural – I have tried soaking my clothes in a tub with chlorine and borax soap, but even after 4-5 hours of soaking, it didn't have any effect on the goddam buggers. Washing with Borax soap doesn't seem to help. Some suggest using salt. Have soaked my clothes in salt water and dried. Some fleas have managed to survive.
- Cedar spray -- This wonderful spray from do-it-yourself pest control (http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/) is a natural, non-toxic solution. It can get rid of the fleas.
Other useful links
http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/health/fleas.html
DISCLAIMER:
Information posted here is based on personal experience. Your mileage may vary.
