Jill Harper

I like the use of 94 percent; your humor is helping me through this! So you think the fleas came with me and my cat from my friend's house and got into the bedding? When I returned, I did put clean sheets on and showered before going near the bed but my cat hadn't been treated yet because she wasn't showing fleas (but possibly eggs, it's hard to tell.) Is it advisable to put DE on a mattress and vacuum it? Thanks Paul!

The bites are mostly on my back, stomach, and waist but also now a little all over, more on the back than anywhere else. I did do a flea trap but came up with nothing; the light I used was really small and I only had it on for a few hours so maybe it wasn't powerful enough. Yes, I am still getting bit even though I am no longer at my friend's house where the biting started suddenly and heavily. Today I treated my cat and apt. with DE. So far, I am still getting bit.

Thanks for replying Kim! At first I was thinking the same thing, except that the bugs I have found on me (one on the back of the neck, where fleas are supposed to like to hang out) all look like fleas; in fact I don't think they could look like anything else. Maybe they are a different kind of flea--not a dog/cat flea. Since I spend a good deal of time outdoors, I'm wondering about that. I have definitely felt them in my hair and one did fall out of my hair. As much as I am an outdoors person, it's pretty disturbing at this point. I am really bitten up.

Or anyone else who can offer help, it would be appreciated! This has gotten a little worrisome. I have so many bites.

Hello Paul,

Thank you for your very sane advice on fleas. I used DE in the past and it is magical for flea control.

Now, however, I am trying not to panic and I am asking for your help. I have a painful and prodigious number of flea bites, I have found three fleas on my body and have felt what seem like many others, and they are still here. This has been going on for about 10 days now. The bites started on my back and then continued onto my thighs, and now they are even beginning to be on my face.

Last night I took some advice I found on the web and washed my hair with (natural) lemon dish detergent and combed through my hair with conditioner, trying to see any fleas in the comb. I didn't see fleas, but I did see white spots. I don't know if those are eggs--a horrifying thought--or just something like dandruff. In the last two days, I have put essential oils of Lavender and Lemon all over my body and in the bedding; that has seemed to make the fleas angry and bite more.

I was staying at a friend's when I began to get the bites--her home has a dog and six cats. I had her home treated by a green pest control specialist who found fleas in the bedding and sprayed with an essential oil mix including gardenia and spearmint. I left there about a week ago, shortly after I started to get bitten.

I have a cat, on whom I have not found any fleas when combing her fur with a flea comb (I have seen white flecks, but they look more like dry skin?) She is an indoor cat.

I spent a lot of time with the dog at the place where I first got the flea bites, and I am wondering if they are dog fleas and now that there is no dog to bite they have come to me? I also spend a lot of time outdoors, often on organic farms, and by the Delaware River and in woods, and all kinds of nature environments. I have read that there is a type of flea that feeds on humans--could this be it?

I am in my apartment in NYC currently, and I am really getting worried about this. I am beginning to be in pain with the bites (although I am mostly not scratching them) and I don't know exactly where to turn to help. I am hoping it is you!

Thank you.

Jill