About Fleas
Fleas are parasitic insects that have been around for 100 million years, possibly even feeding on dinosaurs. In the United States, there are about 2,000 species of fleas, with the cat flea being the most common. Despite its name, the cat flea infests humans and various animals, including dogs, raccoons, ferrets, skunks, and birds.
More About Fleas
Fleas are elusive and reproduce rapidly. A single female flea can lay over 2,000 eggs within 50 days. Pets can bring fleas into homes, causing discomfort and posing health risks to both animals and humans. Flea bites are not only itchy but can also spread diseases like the bubonic plague.
What do fleas look like?
Fleas are tiny, dark reddish-brown insects that grow up to 1/6” (about the size of a sesame seed). They have flat bodies with a head, thorax, and abdomen, six legs, two eyes, and two short antennae. Their bodies are covered with protective scales called sclerites and tiny hairs to help them cling to their host. Fleas have three mouthparts that pierce the host's skin to suck blood. Their back legs are longer, enabling them to run quickly and jump up to 13 inches horizontally and 7 inches vertically.
The flea life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Female fleas lay 40-50 eggs on their host's body a few days after mating. These eggs fall off the host and continue developing where they land. Eggs hatch into larvae within a week, and after another week, larvae spin cocoons to become pupae. Within a couple of weeks, pupae mature into adults. This life cycle can range from two weeks to two years, depending on environmental conditions.
New adult fleas must feed on blood within a week or they will die. Generally, fleas live for two to three months, though they can survive longer without feeding if they conserve energy. A female flea can lay 2,000 eggs in her lifetime, leading to severe infestations on the host and in their environment.
Unique characteristics of fleas
Fleas exclusively feed on blood and are typically found on dogs and cats but will infest other animals, including humans, when available. Fleas spread quickly but usually don't transfer directly from host to host. Instead, they develop in the host's environment and then seek out a new host. Once a flea finds a host, it can stay there for months, feeding for over two hours at a time. Female fleas are larger than males and can consume up to fifteen times their body weight in blood.
Habits of fleas
Fleas require blood to survive, seeking out hosts for sustenance. They thrive in moist environments and multiply rapidly in high humidity. Fleas are attracted to heat, carbon dioxide, and movement to locate hosts.
Where are fleas commonly found?
Fleas prefer warm, humid, low-altitude areas but will inhabit any location with a suitable host. In the United States, they are most prevalent in the Southeast and West Coast and least active in the dryer, colder regions of the North, Midwest, and West. Fleas primarily live on mammals but also infest birds. In homes, they burrow into carpeting, furniture, pet beds, clothing, or any undisturbed location.
Risks of having fleas
Flea bites inject saliva that causes irritation and itchy red bumps. Scratching bites can lead to secondary skin infections and hair loss. Fleas transmit harmful parasites and bacteria, causing tapeworm, cat scratch disease, and flea allergy dermatitis. Fleas can also cause anemia and carry bubonic plague. Untreated, these conditions can become severe or even fatal.
DIY Flea Treatment
If you spot a flea, act quickly! The presence of one flea likely means there are eggs and pupae nearby. Most DIY solutions target adult fleas but don't affect earlier stages. To minimize flea spread, follow preventative measures. However, flea infestations can be hard to control, so hiring a professional exterminator is often the best solution.
Flea Prevention Tips
Preventing an infestation is the best way to manage fleas. Follow these guidelines to keep your family, pets, and home flea-free:
- Apply a monthly topical flea treatment to your pet, as prescribed by a vet.
- Regularly vacuum your home, especially areas where fleas might hide.
- Wash pet bedding in hot water.
- Keep animals away from flea-infested areas.
- Bathe pets as directed by your vet.
- Treat your yard with flea-killing insecticides (or hire a pest control professional to do it).