If you’ve read Cat Fleas and Controlling Your Cat’s Fleas, you are now ready for information on which flea control products actually work. After all, how many of us spend countless dollars each summer because the first several things we tried were simply ineffective? Here’s a look at my favorite and least favorite products. I’ll be brief because I’ve got a lot of products to cover.
Flea Treatments for Your Cat (Topical Applications)
- Storebrand – These do not work and are a complete waste of money.
- Sentry Natural Defense – This was terrible. It had a horribly strong clove smell, and it completely dissolved the hair on my cat’s neck where I applied it.
- Adams & Zodiac – These have simply never worked very well for me, even with the complete ystem including shampoo and foggers.
- Sergeant’s Gold – This is the only store bought brand of flea preventative that I’ve ever used that actually worked. However, it only worked for about a week. Sergeants does make my favorite flea shampoo, which oddly enough, only lasts for about a week.
- Frontline Plus – By far the most popular, Frontline used to be the best you could get, but lately, I’ve been dissatisfied with this as well. If you don’t have a serious flea problem and treat every month, Frontline is still a good product. It’s probably one of the safest on the market. My vet said a human could drink a gallon of it and probably not have any ill effects. For best control, make sure you get Frontline Plus, not just Frontline.
- Advantage – This product says it kills all fleas within 12 hours. I haven’t used it, so I can’t say whether it is effective or not. The vets in my area won’t carry it because they prefer Frontline.
- Revolution – This is by far the best product on the market for flea control in my opinion, and it also controls heartworm, ticks, ear mites, roundworms and hookworms. Now that’s cost effective! It’s also a dollar or two less than Frontline and Advantage in most cases, though you may have to order it online or ask your vet to get it for you.
(Collars, powders, and all over sprays really shouldn’t be used on a cat. Collars are not safe because of all the climbing cats do, and they will lick off powders and sprays.)
Flea Treatments for Your Home
- Carpet and Furniture Spray – Sergeant’s Gold has been more effective than any other carpet spray I’ve used. It dries in an hour, and one can treats a very large area. It’s also cost effective! I use this once a month during summer flea time.
- Foggers – In this case, Zodiac has an effective product. Go ahead and get a 3-can box if you’ve had to resort to using a fogger. This is sure a messy and inconvenient way to go. I much prefer the carpet and furniture sprays.
Flea Treatments for Your Property
Bayer, Ortho, and Sevin all have equally effective products available in mixes for your spray or crystals for your spreader.
I hope this helps control fleas and save you money. Remember the rules to good flea control – treat your home, your yard, and your pet, and do it regularly! And don’t skimp on the price and settle for a lesser product because it will just cost you much more in the long run. If you have any questions or need any help, please drop by the discussion area.
