Flea Facts & Information

Flea bites may leave the host with numerous swollen, itchy marks. They may cause allergic reactions in some people and can transmit several diseases. Furry pets are the most at risk. Fleas can bite people and pets and can be a big nuisance. According to a recent CDC statement, the number of illnesses caused by flea bites tripled between 2004 and 2016.

The most serious aspect of a flea infestation is often the time and effort it takes to remove. Dealing with the problem requires treating infected animals, cleaning flea-infested areas, and taking preventative measures to keep the fleas from returning.

Many signs can indicate flea activity:

• Pets Scratching - A common indication would be pets that repeatedly scratch and groom themselves. This is caused by the discomfort of the flea activity as the adult fleas feed on the pet's blood.

• Bites - People also may experience bites which leave behind itchy bite marks (a medical doctor can be consulted, since there are other sources of skin irritation beside fleas).

• Feces - Flea dirt, the adult flea feces, also can indicate activity. Flea dirt looks similar to

  coarse ground black pepper and may be seen in pet beds, carpets, rugs and other areas where the animal host rests.

• Adult fleas - Since fleas are relatively easy to see in their adult stage, most of the attention is directed at adult fleas. Adult fleas are usually easy to locate, especially if the homeowner and their pets return to the house after a long vacation or other absence during which the resident flea adults were not able to take a blood meal. Upon returning, the homeowners are often greeted by fleas jumping around and trying to land on them and their pets.

• Flea Eggs - The flea eggs, larvae and pupae are another situation. Since these stages are much more secretive and much less active, they are found in out-of-the-way places like:

  • behind, under or in furniture

  • in a pet's bedding

  • inside cracks and grooves in the floors

  • in carpets

Flea eggs that were deposited by the female adult, fall off your pets as they move, allowing them to be disbursed throughout the environment where a pet spends time.

Adults are parasites that draw blood from a host. Larvae feed on organic debris, particularly the feces of adult fleas, which contain undigested blood. Fleas commonly prefer to feed on hairy animals such as:

• dogs

• cats

• rabbits

• squirrels

• rats

• mice

• domesticated animal

• wild animals

Eggs are not attached to the host. Eggs will hatch in the following places:

• on the ground

• in rugs

• carpet

• bedding

• upholstery

• cracks in the floor

Most hatch within two days. Read more about the life cycle of fleas.

Employing exclusion practices is important for many pest problems, but exclusion does not have a major, direct benefit for flea control. However, sealing cracks, gaps and holes to help keep rodents or other potential hosts from gaining access into the home is an important indirect way to keep fleas outside.

The most effective ways to keep fleas from getting inside the home is to eliminate outdoor flea habitats and outdoor hosts, plus using area-wide flea control chemical products and veterinarian-approved flea control products on pets.

• Dog Fleas (ctenocephalides canis)

• Cat Fleas (ctenocephalides felis)

The development of fleas involves a four-phase life cycle. Beginning as eggs, fleas undergo larval and pupal stages before emerging as adults. Depending on the species, the life expectancy of a flea is eight days to two months or, in some cases, up to a year.

One pair of fleas can produce more than 1 million offspring through their offspring’s offspring in a matter of weeks.

Eggs

The flea’s life cycle begins when a fertilized female finds a suitable location for laying her eggs. The ideal egg site is material that the larvae will eat when they hatch from the egg. Examples of egg-laying sites might include a pile of trash, feces, or other damp, decomposing organic material. In some cases, fertilized eggs hatch within 24 hours.

Larvae

Upon hatching, larvae feed upon the organic material. flea larvae eat for several days to weeks, storing enough protein and nutrients to last through their upcoming pupa stage.

Pupal

When larvae are grown, they leave their food source and seek dry, dark places within which to pupate. During the pupal stage, fleas develop from legless larvae into adults with six legs, compound eyes, and a pair of wings.

Adult

Development time from egg to adult varies depending on species, environmental conditions, and abundance of food. Some fleas can complete their development in a matter of a couple of weeks if conditions are right.

Fleas may use humans as a transportation method to their preferred host such as a cat or dog. It is unlikely and usually rare for fleas to live in human hair.

Fleas can live in furniture depending on the environment and whether they have had a blood meal recently. Sometimes eggs or larvae can hide in furniture until it matures and then jump onto the closest host.

Fleas can live in shoes depending on the environment and whether they have had a bloodmeal recently. Sometimes eggs or larvae can hide in shoes until it matures and then jump onto the closest host.