My hamster has escaped and my girIfriend and I fear the worst.

Question
QUESTION: My hamster has escaped and my girIfriend and I fear the worst. She managed
to undo the latch on her cage and has vanished. Through process of
elimination we see she has gone under the floor boards in the kitchen.
However we live in an apartment block. Not a house. We've got 3 rooms and
shes not in any of them. We've left out food and all the recommended traps
but no food has been touched.  She may have gone down into someone elses
flat or could still be under our floorboards.I'm wondering if Hamsters return
to the place they left often? Perhaps she'll come back this way eventually after
exploring. I just dont know what to do. Should I just give up hope? I feel its
unlikley she'll come back. I didnt think I'd become so attached but I have. Can
you give me any advice on what to do. Leaflet the other apartments to see if
she's been spotted. I just dont know, its been three days. Its horrible not
knowing! Thanks for your time. Jonny.
ANSWER: Hi Jonny,

    This is a hard one. I take it there is a gap or a hole in the kitchen big enough for her to fit through to get under the floor boards? Once a hamster has gotten out, they will generally hide under something (furniture, bed, stove, fridge, in a closet, if there is enough space between the bottom of the door and the floor, etc.) or in a corner. If she has gotten into the structure of the apartment building, more than likely she wont come back.
    It is possible she will come back, if she is still somewhere in the apartment or somewhere under the flooring.
    It wouldn't hurt to put up leaflets around the other apartments, maybe someone has seen her. You won't know unless you try.
    You might want to try putting out some apple pieces or carrots (if you haven't already), in the kitchen where you think she got under the floor boards, these are more appealing to hamsters than their regular hamster food. Also, try laying one of your shirts, that you have worn, (or your girlfriends shirt) on the floor so your hamster will be able to smell your scent (i have not tried this myself, but a lot of people have told me this works well).
    I wish you all the best and I hope she is found, but if she isn't and you decide to get another one, I would suggest putting a little pad lock (like the kind you can get with a diary or journal) on the cage door or get a 10 gallon aquarium, for small pets, with a lid. That way you won't have to go through something like this again. I have been through this too, and it is horrible not knowing.
    If you have anymore questions, please write again.

Thank you for writing, best of luck and if she is found and you don't mind, let me know.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again, I put the leaflets around other flats but havent got a response
apart from some silly student girl playing a prank at two in the morning. Its
so horrible not knowing if the little guy is okay or what. You just dont know. I
never thought I would feel so upset by this whole experience. Its been nearly
a week and still nothing, I've all but given up. Thanks for all your help.

Answer
Hello again Jonny,

    So sorry to hear. Some people are just plain mean and have no cares for other peoples feelings.
    Please know that you have done everything possible. Thank you for the update, I sure was hoping for a better out come.

Thanks again for writing.