Fleas: An Introduction
You can have a flea-free pet experience!
MetPet.com Staff Writer
There are over 2,200 known species of fleas in the
world. They are metamorphic, wingless arthropods that feed on mammals and
birds.
Fleas are very democratic and enjoy sucking the blood of a
wide variety of hosts. The most common types found on house pets include:
Cat fleas Ctenocephalides felis
Dog fleas Ctenocephalides canis
Small mammal fleas Pulex simulans
Human fleas Pulex irritans
Of these, the most common are cat fleas which are found on
cats, dogs, humans and possibly more than 50 other species of animals including ferrets,
raccoons and opossums.
No house, car, pet or human should have fleas. A
single, visible flea can be a sign of a current or impending infestation. A breeding
pair of fleas can lay more than 500 eggs in a month. Their offspring can remain
dormant for two years before they become mature fleas.
Fleas carry and transmit diseases such as tapeworm,
rickettsiae, human plague (rare) and can cause allergic
reactions from antigens in their saliva. In large numbers, they can suck enough
blood to create anemia in young animals. Their bites can also cause itching and
irritation leading to hair loss, bloody scabs and general misery for pets and people.
The life cycle
The adult fleas. The life cycle of
common fleas is well understood. They reside deep inside carpeting, cracks in the
floorboards, upholstered furniture or outside in dirt, sand and vegetation. They
prefer warm (70-80° F) and moist (70% humidity) environments which is why they are most
prevalent in the warm spring and summer months. In areas that lack a harsh winter
(near-freezing temperatures can kill all stages of fleas), fleas can be a problem year
around.
Adult fleas hop onto animals for a meal. Their mouth
parts pierce the skin and suck blood. The blood is partially digested and excreted
as dark droppings. Flea droppings resemble specks of dirt. Moisten a paper
towel, drop the speck onto it and crush it. A reddish stain indicates the presence
of partially digested blood. Flea droppings are often the only indicator of an
infestation since fleas, larvae and eggs are difficult to see. To check for fleas on
your pet, gently part the hair and look for droppings (also called flea dirt) and the
fast-moving fleas themselves.
After they suck blood, the females mate and lay small white
eggs about the size of a grain of salt.
The eggs. The eggs usually fall to the
ground because they are smooth and not sticky. A single female can lay 40 eggs a
day. Fleas can be pushed off the host by chemical or physical means (brushing or
grooming). Otherwise, they can live on or around hosts for more than three months
sucking blood, mating and laying eggs. With serious infestations, eggs can be caught
in fur and can be visible under a magnifying glass. Generally, they fall into the
carpeting or bedding and are not visible to the casual observer.
The larvae. The eggs hatch anytime from a
few days to a few weeks after laying. Flea larvae are 2-5 mm long, slender and
whitish in color. They resemble miniature fly maggots. Larvae are susceptible
to dry environments and will survive only where there is shade and sufficient moisture.
Outside, they are liable to survive only in shaded areas where suitable hosts spend
a considerable amount of time.
The larvae feed on debris including the excreted blood from
the parents. They do not bite animals. They then spin themselves into a
cocoon.
The pupae. The cocoons, or pupae, can
be destroyed by drying. They need a moist, but not wet environment in which to
develop. Otherwise, they are highly resilient and can remain in this stage for up to
two years.
The fully developed flea inside the cocoon can stay dormant
until stimulated to emerge. They react to pressure, vibrations, temperature changes
or carbon dioxide in the environment signaling the presence of a potential host.
Moving into a house that was not properly cleaned can stimulate the emergence of dormant
fleas.
The adult again. The fully developed
fleas emerge from the cocoon to find hosts. Newly emerged adults need to feed on a
host within a few days. Once they do, the cycle repeats itself.
Related Information:
Fleas: Advanced Control
Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
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