HELP!!!! Fleas in the Workplace - Open to All Other Health Topics Message Board

clementine · 09-10-2002, 09:46 PM

Does anybody know anything about rules or regulations governing the control of fleas in the work place in Jackson County, Missouri? We have the fleas from He... where I work and the management refuses to do anthing about it. I have a good job, work hard, do not wish at this point in my life to seek other employment, besides the job market is not so hot right now. These little critters are driving several of us nuts, not to mention they ride home with us in our clothes. Life is becoming very difficult, pesticide use in my home is not an option, since I have already bombed and sprayed until I will probably glow 100 years after I am buried. Any replies are welcome. HELP!!! Thanks

mlgable · 09-10-2002, 11:26 PM

Fleas are not something you can get rid of that easy as they are probably outside in the grass if there is any where you work and people bring them in on their shoes. Your best defense is for the maintainence to be sure any capeted areas are vacummed at least daily if not more often. If there are any pets in the building they need to be dusted with good old fashioned flea powder. As for the workplace not doing anything..............about the only thing they can do is be sure any carpeted areas etc are vacummed daily. There is not much else you can do for fleas according to our vet. Once cold weather sets in you should not have problems unless of course you live in a warm winter climate.

friendlione · 09-11-2002, 01:28 AM

Call the state or county environmental health office or occupational safety and health. Look in the front of your phone book for state and county offices and start calling phone numbers, asking questions.

Greenberry · 09-11-2002, 06:11 AM

This year has been a particularly bad year for fleas. We had an invasion in our house, even though we never let our pets inside, and we try to treat our dogs and cat regularly. We also got new carpet in May, and since that time fleas have nearly carried us out of here. We had our bug guy come and soak the entire yard with poison, bomb and spray our house, and at the same time, we treated all of our animals. There are still tons of them in the yard, but the house seems relatively free. I think the ones in the yard are dying, but it may take them a few days longer to croak. I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one with this problem!

If your problem is in the workplace, you have to keep pressure on your boss(es) to get the place sprayed. Don't the supervisors work in the same building? I would get a bunch of people together and head down to the managers office and suggest that they do something. Take some proof--catch some fleas on some scotch tape (wrap them up really good, but where you can still see that they are fleas) and show them. That's about your only hope. I don't think that health departments handle flea complaints (maybe I'm wrong...). Good luck.

friendlione · 09-11-2002, 05:32 PM

I would think that OSHA cares (occupational safety and health) and could help you prompt your employer to action.