Solutions tried against fleas over the years, with Neville Asphall/ G &E Property as landlord. Edmonton, North London
Over the years, I became so desperate to defend myself against serious flea infestations, that I spent hours googling solutions as per advised by various people worldwide. I spent time in the pound shop looking for cheap solutions, thinking through what should/ could kill them or repel them. I also spent an increasing amount of money on more expensive solution options. The then landlord, Mr Asphall, his sister who also worked on the business, never helped. The council also ignored my pleas, and many complaints. I went to hospital twice because of cellulitis in my legs, in 2011. I was informed they were due to insect bites, and stayed in for penicillin treatment each time. Mr Asphall evicted me in May 2015, because of rent arrears, and then proceeded to sell the most marketable of my belongings. Some others he got rid of. Whatever else was put into storage by himself and or his staff were/ are being held in a different unit by Fairstore/ Storefair. I have been asking to be reassured that my possessions were still there for a year or more, in vain. Now Fairstore boss Samantha Mahoney is feeling “threatened” and “blackmailed” by me, after I wrote about this affair to various parties. The horror story continues, mercilessly adding psychological and physical torture to my already vulnerable person. Just as the fleas once did, for many years, whilst I was either trying to sleep, doing paperwork on my business, or sewing costumes. Incidentally, I have no idea what has happened to all of this paperwork or to those dance outfits, laboured upon in pain, whilst ruthlessly attacked by savage insect bites.
Here are a few items tried and tested against the critters, in that Edmonton flat:
• Cloves, on the floor • Eucalyptus ointment: Vaporub, on my body • Insectox black spray • Insecticide chalk, surfaces and my body • Tamarind paste, as used on cows in India: on my body and hair. That solution was All that worked in the end, as fleas resisted everything else. This left horrible swollen red marks and spots on my arms and chest, because of the acidic content and because of the pulling of the skin. I also had to wash very sticky and very stained clothes in a bathtub every day by hand, as the washing machine had not been working for many years. • Mothballs, on the floor: tons • White spirit: did not work • Wood varnish, on the floor: managed to trap in the stickiness for four hours till it dried, then more fleas moved in • Paint, on the floor: as above • Hair mousse, to smother them in the foam. Not brilliant • Apple cider vinegar: very temporary effect • Salt, tons. Only worked for awhile: they actually jumped around in the salt on the floor • Permethrin-based flea and ant powders: the animals developed a resistance over the years • Permethrin-based sprays, most brands: as above • Baking soda, tons • Professional services: con job. However paid with a great part of whatever my dad had left behind after recently passing. • Diet cola: did not work • Lemon juice and various citrus zest • Bleach, tons: did not really work • Washing up liquid, foam to smother the fleas: temporary effects • Malathion-based products: developed resistance • Melted candle wax, on floor: temporary • Cement, on the floor: temporary blocking of floorboard cracks, as quite badly done by myself. Mice also got in through at the time. • Nutmeg • Foggers and flea bombs: again, resistance developed • Vaseline on my body • Regular mopping and cleaning • Hair conditioner on my hair • Dimethicone • Talcum powder • Peroxide • De icer fluid • Wallpaper paste • Oven foam, to smother the insects • Cream cleaner product • Rosemary fresh, tons • Over heating the bedroom: had to stop after spending up to £25 on the meter twice, as neighbours upstairs would typically never go on holiday and I couldn't inconvenience them with the heat • Chilli flakes: not worked • Mint: no effect • Ammonia: not worked • Lyme: no effect