Cat Fleas

[NodrogJRB]

Hello,
So recently we've come down with a cat flea infestation in our flat we don't know where they came from but it started a few days ago. As I write this there's someone in our flat dealing with the issue but obviously they won't all die straight away.

What we're worried about is our li'l Jerry, he's currently on holiday at our friends whilst the flat is sprayed. We'll be bringing him back later and we want to know about checking for fleas and symptoms of him having. We've done some research and he doesn't seem to be showing any symptoms. We've tried to check him closely under torch light and can't see any sign of them so he seems all clear

Any advice would be much appreciated thanks

[AmityvilleHams]

Be very careful with what is used to eliminate fleas.Standard methods are very harsh and harmful Natural options are much better,but not all "natural" products are good(some contain alcohol,isopropyl substances,or pennyroyal or other unsafe ingredients).A method worth mentioning is food grade diatomaceous earth,which if used properly is entirely safe and quite effective for fleas and many other parasites.

Rosemary is another good idea for parasite control and prevention(make sure essential oil options are high quality and properly diluted along with alcohol free as with any essential oil!).It is one of the hamster safe options along with the food grade DE.While it isn't likely your hamster has fleas,it is best to avoid anything that isn't hamster safe in smaller spaces.

[NodrogJRB]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

Be very careful with what is used to eliminate fleas.Standard methods are very harsh and harmful Natural options are much better,but not all "natural" products are good(some contain alcohol,isopropyl substances,or pennyroyal or other unsafe ingredients).A method worth mentioning is food grade diatomaceous earth,which if used properly is entirely safe and quite effective for fleas and many other parasites.

Rosemary is another good idea for parasite control and prevention(make sure essential oil options are high quality and properly diluted along with alcohol free as with any essential oil!).It is one of the hamster safe options along with the food grade DE.While it isn't likely your hamster has fleas,it is best to avoid anything that isn't hamster safe in smaller spaces.

Well the landlord had a professional guy come round and spray the place, but the hamster was sent away last night, and won't be coming back until later today when the place is properly aired out.

Were more bothered about the possibility of the fleas bothering the hamster, although it does seem they're more attracted to me than anything!

[AmityvilleHams]

Professional or not it's always best to be safe rather than assume things are safe(including "professional" or "pet safe" when not truly pet safe methods).The fleas bothering the hamster is a concern,but so is the serious harm that can be done by harsh pesticides(organ related problems,cancer,outright toxicity,and beyond affecting the hamster these can affect other species including the human species as well as the environment).

I'd look into getting a good air purifier(especially one that can purify the air using activated carbon),and in the future only do your own pest control using natural and safe methods.

You can also use certain methods of pest control on yourself in some way,but as with anything use caution with methods.Another good idea would be growing certain herbs indoors that are hamster friendly,preferably organic,and which have natural pest repelling properties(such as rosemary,avoid lavender though as it is pretty strong and known to repel rodents!).

[NodrogJRB]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

Professional or not it's always best to be safe rather than assume things are safe(including "professional" or "pet safe" when not truly pet safe methods).The fleas bothering the hamster is a concern,but so is the serious harm that can be done by harsh pesticides(organ related problems,cancer,outright toxicity,and beyond affecting the hamster these can affect other species including the human species as well as the environment).

I'd look into getting a good air purifier(especially one that can purify the air using activated carbon),and in the future only do your own pest control using natural and safe methods.

You can also use certain methods of pest control on yourself in some way,but as with anything use caution with methods.Another good idea would be growing certain herbs indoors that are hamster friendly,preferably organic,and which have natural pest repelling properties(such as rosemary,avoid lavender though as it is pretty strong and known to repel rodents!).

Were getting some "diatomaceous earth" as it's food grade safe. Would this be okay to use in the cage, to mix in with the bedding to try and keep them out?

[AmityvilleHams]

I wouldn't use it in the cage.It wouldn't be harmful if ingested,but it is important to keep it from being inhaled as it is just as capable as sand for example as causing respiratory issues when inhaled(not necessarily in small amounts,but larger amounts such as if it were dispersed throughout a whole cage).It's still hamster safe though,so don't let that bit turn you away from it!

[NodrogJRB]

Excellent thankyou for your help!

The hamster cage is on a cabinet so we've decided to sprinkle some around the bottom of the cabinet to try and dryer any from getting near enough to jump up