Hi community! I’m currently doing a cat sit and I found fleas on one of the cats on Monday, 8/5. It turns out that the owner knew and had treated the cats with Frontline on 8/1. I’m concerned about transmitting fleas to the next house. My next host and I are discussing ways to mitigate transmission / potentially canceling the sit.
I spoke to a vet nurse on the TH hotline about transmission. She told me that Frontline continues to work for 4-8 weeks and any live fleas on the cat will die, but that doesn’t affect the fleas that live in the environment. So the concern is that an adult flea or eggs will get into my clothing or luggage. Per the vet nurse, flea eggs can survive up to 100 days. I’ve treated my luggage with Wondercide Flea & Tick and will wash my clothes in hot water before leaving. I’ve also sprayed down the home and will continue to do so until I leave. I’m wondering:
- Are there any additional ways to mitigate the risk of transmission?
- I use TH as a mode of living and I have 2 additional back-to-back sits booked. Of course, I’m going to inform each host so that they have the option to cancel. But I’m not sure if I should even book future sits until that 100 day period passes? It def sucks for me, but I want to be ethical! Or am I overreacting?
Thank you in advance!
Edited to remove sit start date as per the Community Rules; Terms of Service.
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Maybe overreacting? Not a bad thing, I’m super impressed at how conscientious you’re being, but as an HO with cats I wouldn’t be that concerned about you bringing fleas here with you. Fleas are everywhere in the environment. I can’t see why they’d hang out in your luggage, they want a warm body. If the odd flea did travel with you, my cats are treated with Bravecto and I would expect it to take care of any lingerers. If you, your clothing, and your next HO’s cats are treated I expect it will be fine. I would definitely not worry about 100 days away. More than the next HO, your current HO should be very grateful for all the work you’re doing to mitigate her cat and home’s flea problem.
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Thanks for being so conscientious. I agree with @Shafofo. if the cats had fleas, it means that fleas are everywhere outdoors.
Some people might suggest using diatomaceous earch to get rid of the fleas. Yes, this works but has risks. Even food grade DE is damaging when inhaled, and you cannot use most vacuum cleaners on DE.
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Thank you! By environment, I meant indoor environment - these cats don’t go outside. So I’m worried about one of the fleas in this home hopping into my bag. But of course, I’ve treated and will continue to treat it. I’m sitting in a big city, so most of these cats don’t go outside and are not treated. But I’m just going to let any future hosts know for the next 100 days after I leave this sit! I recognize that might be a bit much, but I’d feel remiss if I didn’t, and at the very least, it helps owners learn about fleas.
Thank you so much, I was really upset at first and this gives me some peace of mind!
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Glad to help relieve some of your worries 
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@Lassie, can you say more about the dangers of diatomaceous earth? I’m reading mixed messages online about it. Thanks!
I only know from what I read online also. I have no expert knowledge of DE.
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