I am currently sitting for a cat that is allowed outdoors. The owners instructed me to leave the door cracked open so the cat could come and go, despite the home having a pet door with a flap. As a result, I have been getting repeatedly bitten by mosquitoes.
The larger issue, however, is the flea situation. I cannot comfortably use the living room or kitchen/dining area because I immediately get fleas on me and bitten. I am unable to sit on the couch, watch TV, or even sit down to eat without dealing with fleas. Yesterday, when I entered the dining area, I immediately had six fleas crawling up my legs.
I notified the owners after discovering the problem, and their response was that they were already aware of the fleas. This was extremely upsetting because the flea issue was never disclosed before I accepted the sit or when I arrived. Had I known there was an active flea problem in the home, I would have needed that information in order to make an informed decision about accepting the assignment.
This sit is from July 8–23, and I am now in a situation where significant areas of the home are effectively unusable due to fleas. I understand that outdoor pets can sometimes encounter fleas, but an existing infestation that affects the sitter’s ability to comfortably live in the home is a significant condition that should have been communicated in advance.
I am very concerned about how TrustedHousesitters would view this situation, particularly regarding the lack of disclosure of a known flea problem and the impact it has had on my ability to complete the sit comfortably and safely.
Sorry you are dealing with this. I would not stay. Reach out to THS with the messages saying HO were aware of the flea problem. Notify THS that you intend to leave and give HO 24 hours to find replacement care.
Where are you located? There are a number of flea-borne diseases in the US. If you are going to stay, you should try to control the fleas - vaccum, put down water with soap in it, put a flea collar on the cat,…you probably know all this.
This is an awful situation for you and the owners are despicable. This previous discussion might be helpful but you are certainly within your rights to give the owners 24 hrs notice and leave. Keep us informed please.
I would leave. But if you don’t have a fallback plan, you’ll have to figure out whether you can get the hosts to pay for treatment of the pets and home.
Was this acknowledged via messaging? If so, I’d take a screenshot, give the HO 24 hours notice via Whatsapp, take a screenshot when the two blue ticks appear to evidence the message has been read, then forward both screenshots to THS and ask them to revise the end date of the sit so you apply for alternatives.
We’d leave, no way we’d put up with a flea infestation, especially an ongoing one. Talk to MS and give the hosts 24 hours notice to find alternative care and get out of there! #frickinfleas
The THS code of conduct ( that hosts must agree to when signing up ) says
“I will create a clean, comfortable and secure environment for my sitter.”
A known infestation of fleas breaks these terms -for a quick response and because of the urgency of the situation you can contact THS on the Urgent Support 24/7 Phoneline
I’m so sorry to hear about this @KellyK - how are you today? Have you taken any of the advice given in this thread? I don’t have anything else to add as everyone’s given you perfect advice so far
It isn’t, but if they are staying, they’re going to need to deal with it as soon as possible. In reality, the HO should be doing everything possible to resolve the issue. However, given that they knew of the problem and didn’t do anything, I wouldn’t have much confidence that they’ll initiate a solution.
I’d hope the HO will at least reimburse them for all expenses to control the fleas. If they say no, then they should leave.
Like you mentioned, I think that the house owner is not really likely to fix the issue, because they willingly posted the house sit knowing that it would affect the house sitter in a negative way.
Any medication will take time, and seeing as the house is full of fleas means that the rest of the house sit will be either spent cleaning or scratching non stop. It makes you paranoid, it affects sleep and honestly my mood was so down from my experience with fleas during a house sit
This is definitely not worth pursuing, in my opinion at least.
It all depends on if the sitter has other options or needs a place to stay .
We are fortunate to have a back up plan - incase of any issues at a house sit , but not everyone has that opportunity .
@Jenny I would like to know if a host does not provide a clean comfortable and safe home (e.g flea infestation) and if when this is raised by the sitter the host refuses to do anything to remedy it during the sitters stay , would Premium Sit Cancellation Claim cover a Premium sitter for alternative accommodation in this situation ?
