Charlottechicken Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I'm (pardon the pun) hopping mad as today I have been bitten quite badly by fleas at work. I have never even seen a flea before, yet, while I was talking to someone on the phone I looked down at my leg and noticed a small black fleck on my grey tights. As I went to pick it off, thinking it was fluff, it ran so I flicked it off my leg. Minutes later I began itching, and after getting home I find 14 bite marks all over my lower legs and three on my bum I've covered the bites in anthisan cream and will take some repellent wipes, that we have for holidays, in to work tomorrow. Wish I hadn't googled all the diseases you can get from a flea bite. I feel so very riffy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I'm sorry to hear that Claire, do the public have access to your office? That's usually how they are transferred. I'd make a complaint at work and get them to have the carpets sprayed at the weekend while you're not there - they will need to do 2 treatments a week apart. I used to work somewhere where we had them on the odd occasion; whilst they won't live on humans and you're unlikely to take them home with you, it makes you crawl just thinking about it and the bites are really uncomfortable. If you can get hold of some citronella oil, just dab it around your ankles, that ought to keep them off. You could also make some up with water in a plant sprayer and spritz the carpet around your desk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Ouch! I don't know where you work, but you definitely need to get proper pest control people in and get the carpets sprayed, it's the only way to get rid of them. I have been bitten by cat fleas more times than I care to remember, and haven't contracted anything nasty, so chances are you will be fine! not a very happy experience though and not one to make you look forward to work tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted April 8, 2013 Author Share Posted April 8, 2013 Thanks for that information, Clare. I'm relieved to think they won't transfer to home. I'd been at work for 4 and a half hours when I was bitten, so hopefully didn't bring any hitchhikers home with me. I've got citricidal for the chickens, is it the same?? No public access, but loads of instances of flea bites on different floors, so you'd think they would have a regular fumigation or something I'd better not spray the floor, they have set up some insect traps around my desk, although I think I picked them up from the other side of the floor, we had just had a meeting. I'm going to go over to the chair I was sitting at for the meeting and attack it with sticky tape, to see if I can find anything. I'm on the fourth floor too, these fleas can certainly jump! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 That isn't a nice thing to pick up at work, i hope you haven't taken any home with you? I would be spraying the house just in case, and giving the dogs a top up on their drops too. As for work, they need to know so they can get the offices treated, which i have to admit i would be having a spray around my work area too. Fleas are not nice, ergh....the thing is even if they have had a feast on you...sorry...they can be carried by anyone where ever they go . You may not be the only one affected . Pest control are needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Yes, they need to act fast, espcially being apublic body - they can't afford to have complaints. Citronella oil is available from chemists and is a very good natural insect repellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Back in the early eighties I was called to a burglary in a restaurant and when we got back in the panda we saw we were covered with what we thought were fleas. We had to drive straight to a council place and have showers with some revolting tar like soap. The panda and our uniforms were taken away. OH was phoned to bring me some fresh clothes ( that was an odd collection) The restaurant was closed but I can't remember if it reopened. That was a horrid experience, we couldn't go home immediately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Eeeeek! Definitely get on to your boss about this. Your employer is obliged to comply with pest control legislation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Flea bites are horrible! I have also been bitten many times and never contracted anything nasty so don't panic too much. But they are so very uncomfortable and itchy. If you can get hold of some Germolene cream, that's great for flea bites as it contains a mild local anaesthetic and stops the itching. The problem absolutely does need to be sorted out properly. A few traps round your desk is not sufficient, the whole place needs to be professionally treated. Are you able to put a few shallow bowls of warm water down on the office floor in strategic places? Fleas are attracted to the warmth and will hop into the dish for a swimming lesson. If you can leave them down for a few hours you ought to catch a few which will hopefully demonstrate the scale of the problem and that it needs immediate attention! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Are you able to put a few shallow bowls of warm water down on the office floor in strategic places? Fleas are attracted to the warmth and will hop into the dish for a swimming lesson. If you can leave them down for a few hours you ought to catch a few which will hopefully demonstrate the scale of the problem and that it needs immediate attention! I never knew that! Must try it here, especially in Yd's room as she keeps getting bitten despite me treating the animals and spraying the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 It's not by any means a treatment for fleas, but can help to identify if there are any lurking about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted April 9, 2013 Author Share Posted April 9, 2013 I wore ankle boots to work today and also sprayed a bit of insect repellent on my legs when I got into work. I can't see anything in the traps under my desk yet. My supervisor also has what look like bite marks on her ankles, she sits opposite me. The union advised filling in an accident report form, in case any of the bites turn bad. I'll do this tomorrow. This has happened to people before, twice. In one instance, apparently the member of staff was hospitalised, as he reacted so badly to the bites. The office is huge and open plan, we have a lot of passing traffic, which is other workers going to different offices, so I suppose the same as if the general public were allowed in. I have never known the building to undergo any regular fumigation or spraying, maybe we aren't told this to avoid panic!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
