my mum is a hoarder and now she's got fleas!!

[onlygirlinthehouse]

My mum has been a hoarder all my life but since she got older it has got much worse and her house is now crammed and a health hazard, in my opinion not hers!!

Recently I noticed fleas and it soon became apparant that her house was infested, the treatment for fleas involves a 'spring clean' so that the insectacide can go onto as much carpet area as possible. This is going to take me about 3 years to achieve!! has anyone else got parents who hoard, I dont so much need advice as someone who knows how I feel.

[madamez]

What is she hoarding to get fleas? I'm a hoarder myself but have never had anything more worrying than clothes moths (which I got rid of by a) moving and b)lavender and cedarwood).
Can you afford a professional cleaning service to help you sort out your mum's place? Is your mum willing to let you?

[onlygirlinthehouse]

no and no. Have spent the last week negotiating with her to get some stuff to the tip, you know, 25 year old copies of hello magazine, 7 bin bags full of bedding, a bin bag full of half used toiletries from the last 20 years, that sort of thing. I feel bad because its got to this, but I have honestly tried so many times to get her to sort things out and she becomes so nasty and unco-operative that I have just given up. The flea thing is simply because she has a cat that she hasnt been treating for fleas and its happened really quickly, but because of all the clutter I just dont know how we will ever get to the end of it.

[madamez]

THough this probably isn't much help, 20+ year old mags go for a few quid on ebay... Sorry I can't offer any really useful advice but hopefully someone else will be along soon.

[fortyplus]

Can't you get one of those flea smoke things and just let it off anyway? That should get most of them and you can start on the tidying without scratching!

You have to shut the door and stay out of the room for a few hours.

[FireFaerie]

Flea Bomb
3 or 4 quid from Pets at Home.
Set it off, run for life (taking treated cat with you ) go back 2 hours later, open windows, leave for 30 more mins... hey presto. 99% of the Flea Population of Planet Mums House Eradicated!
Hopefully
P.S My Nans house looks like the main sorting office for Salvage and Recycling

[onlygirlinthehouse]

its not one room its the whole house, bloody fleas get everywhere. Asked the man from the council about smoke bomb thingy but he said it wont be good enough, am in process of getting as much out of house as possible but it is emotionally draining as everything is a fight. spent half an hour today arguing over a broken teasmade and its still in the bloody house!! I know this is an illness, have researched it and it is a symptom of ocd, but it is very hard to deal with when you are trying your best to help someone and they see you as the enemy. going to bed now to gather my strength for another fight tomorrow.

[fortyplus]

Good luck... A friend's dd is studying psychology and hoarding can be a sign of low self esteem... not being able to let go of the past etc.

Once you start on the clear up your mum will prob start to be inspired and will help. Try to give as much as poss to charity rather than chuck out.

[Toots]

Hi onlygirl. Just wondering how things are going. I seriously empathise. My DH is cultivating a hoarding habit and it is the source of a lot of heartache.

What are the developments? Is she still hoarding fleas?

[wantslotsofbabies]

Any vet surgery should stock flea drops for the cat..you just put the drops on the cat's neck..plus they have big aerosol tins of flea spray which you can spray on everything.
Can your mum get some help, maybe from a CPN or someone?

[independent98]

A few years ago A MN mentioned Diogenes syndrome- look into it and see if this may apply to your mum.
Just sending you hugs