HELP!! How do you get fleas out of a suitcase?

[TupperMom7]

I do not own any pets but I loaned my new suitcases (used 2 times) to my cousin for her Disney trip. She just got back and I found out last night from her sister that her apartment is infested with fleas from her 2 cats. She has gotten rid of the cats and is cleaning the place and did one of those bomb things. My question is when she brings my suitcases back what should I do with them? If they were old I would probable pitch them but they are new. I was going to put them in the garage and then try to figure out what to do. I don't want to bring any of these pests into my house.

Please help with any ideas. We have a Disney trip coming up and I didn't want to have to buy new luggage.

Thanks!

She got rid of her cats because they had fleas? Or did she just get rid of them temporarily until the flea problem is solved?

The vet sells a powder for furniture and rugs that you can put in the suitcases. Call your local vet and ask them about it. It's not the same as OTC flea powder, so go with the vet stuff. You sprinkle it on and wait however long it says and then vacuum it up. After a couple days, wear a pair of white socks and stick your foot in the suitcase. If there were live fleas in there, you'd be covered in them as they would be hungry by then.

Still can't get over the cats though.

 

[NYCDiane]

I wouldn't bring them in my car or my garage. All you have to do is to get one flea on you and you'll have an infestation in your home in no time.

Before picking them up from her, I would go to her house, spray them with flea spray or douse them with flea powder and tie them up TIGHT in garbage bags. Bring them to your house and leave them OUTSIDE (not in the garage) for at least a week. I know someone mentioned "bombing" them, but I don't know how you would do that unless you put the bomb in the bag and zip it closed. Actually sounds like a good idea.

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Did your cousin actually get rid of her cats because of the fleas???? Not to be judgemental, but I will be.... it's NOT the cats fault they had fleas. It's your cousin's fault. If she has pets, she should be taking care of them properly and that includes using FRONTLINE every month so they don't get fleas. The cats can't call PetMeds and buy it on their own. If she got rid of them b/c of the fleas, she should never be permitted to own another pet. Are they spayed or neutered? Sorry but irresponsible pet owners just tick me off

 

[Chancedabowsa]

write da luggage off. get yourself a new set and don't loan it to no one again. you will have to decide if you should ask for the money back for your replacement set. it will be a can of worms but you deserve to be compensated. sometimes the peace in the family is worth the $$. Your call.

 

[denisegold]

Hey there! I have just dealt with a flea problem (brought my cat to Petco to get groomed, and had fleas shortly after... hmmm... only time in 9 years my indoor cat got fleas... but I digress...)

Anyway- I have just done a ton of research. The best thing I found was a spray called DeFlea. It kills the fleas and their eggs and their larvae, and their cocoons (yes, there a 4 stages in a fleas life) and it does not harm cats (or dogs) in any way, also safe to spray on fabric, bedding, etc. (And FYI- I DOD NOT get rid of my cat over this!!)

Now- here is something very important I learned- fleas do not need a host for quite some time! Because they feed of off each others blood and poop (sorry- gross but true!) So please don't be fooled about the "no host/no fleas" theory.

So you could spray your suitcases with DeFlea, but honestly, after having fleas, I would not take the chance. Tell the girl to keep the suitcases (sounds like she needs them, if she's moving out!) and just buy new suitcases. It stinks, and I know the girl is in no shape to pay you for them now. But I wouldn't take the chance. Live and learn.

 

[NYCDiane]

write da luggage off. get yourself a new set and don't loan it to no one again. you will have to decide if you should ask for the money back for your replacement set. it will be a can of worms but you deserve to be compensated. sometimes the peace in the family is worth the $$. Your call.

I would do the same thing, but I don't think the OP wants to get rid of the luggage because it's new. I would be scared to bring it in the house, even if I thought all the fleas were out.

Asking her sis for the $$ to replace it could really cause a problem. She just may have to write it off and learn not to loan out anything again.

 

[daisyduck123]

I wouldn't care how much the luggage cost....I would not take it back. Tell her to keep it, and if she's at all thoughtful, she will replace the luggage.

 

[HunnyPots]

Actually, fleas can live for a looooooooong time without a host and very very old flea eggs can hatch when a new host becomes available.
You can get luggage pretty cheap these days. I'd just count it as a loss and pick up something new for the trip. If her apartment is as bad as you say, fleas may not be the only thing you bring home in that luggage.

 

[lila]

new luggage!

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

Put mothballs in your vacuum bag prior to vacuuming. That's what we did to kill anything we got up. I wonder if you could put mothballs in the suitcases???

Best suggestion is to get new cases. That's probably what I'd do too. Good luck!

 

[SandrA9810]

Pack it in a box and send it to me... I could go with a new set of luggage... for my one in every 10 year vacations...

Seriously though, If you've never had pets, or had to deal with pets and fleas. It's really not a big deal. Living in Florida we get to deal with year round bugs... and that can be just as annoying as fleas.

DO NOT place a bomb inside a small trash bag. They are designed for large rooms and they even tell you not to put it in small closets. I would stick with some flea powder or flea spray designed for all cycles of life. I've had lots of success with Adams for the furniture products and flea shampoos. Follow the directions as you should with anything, so you don't create a chemical hazard on your suitcase making it become unusable in the future.

Our last apartment had major problems with roaches, and I was so afraid of packing them away. I would make sure as soon as I packed a box I took it to the unit to prevent any from getting in, but just to make sure, I set off a flea bomb (kills fleas, roaches, ants, and other little buggers) and I have yet to see a roach in our new apartment. A flea bomb should do the trick, especially since the cats are not in the house any longer, and she set them off correctly, placing enough in each room in the apartment.

 

[terri01p]

I must tell you I've got a big laugh out of some of the post to your problem. Now let me tell you what you can do to rid the problem, buy 20 mule borax and sprinkle it inside your suitcase, take a brush and rub it in good, let it rest for about an hour and then vacuum it out. Done and done. Google it if you don't want to take my word for it, it does kill fleas and their eggs.

 

[labdogs42]

I'd probably buy a cheap set of luggage (they have them for less than $100) at Target to use for the current trip and flea powder and garbage bag that infested luggage for a loooong time and then have it back in shape for my next trip! I'd be way too nervous about dragging fleas with me down to Florida or ending up smelling like a flea bomb, it would probably make me paranoid for my whole trip!

 

[seashoreCM]

Want to try this:

Leave the suitcase in a hot place such as in a closed car out in the sun for several hours.

(The other suggested treatments can be combined with this.)

I read about this suggestion regarding dealing with bedbugs, I forget what newspaper or magazine.