How to rid a cat of fleas

Question
I'm a cat owner for almost 40 years.  In the past, I have always put a flea collar on cats as soon as Spring arrived and never had a problem with fleas, even though the cats were allowed outside.  The cats died of old age at 20+ years of age.  My two new cats are not allowed outside, so I did not put flea collars on them.  All of a sudden, we have fleas.

Since I have been unemployed for almost 18 months, I really cannot afford a vet bill if there is an alternative treatment that works.  Can you recommend something that really works in getting rid of fleas?  I've been told that I should put garlic on the cat, or yeast (what kind and how much) in its food, but am not sure if this really works.  

Is there a reliable over the counter product?

Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Melonie,

You can bathe your cats in a good flea shampoo and put a flea collar on them.  Fleas can live inside as well as outside.  Garlic doesn't work, or yeast.  Buy a good over the counter product, but I do NOT recommend any product made by Hartz!  Anything else should be ok.  Just be careful not get the soap in their eyes.  If you don't feel you can handle bathing two cats, the flea collars by themselves could be affective.  It might be useful to call a vet on the phone and get their recommendations... and it wouldn't cost you anything.  

When I used to live in California, I had a constant problem with fleas, but when I moved to Utah.... no more fleas!  I hate the winters, but the fleas cannot survive it.  Please write again if I can be of further assistance.  I always like to help.  Barb