Fleas
Fleas are small, brown or black , wingless insects with flattened bodies. Several types of fleas infest in the haircoats of animals, and some may occasionally feed on people. These blood-sucking insects cause considerable irritation and distress to infested pets. Severe infestations may lead to anemia from blood loss. Fleas spread the common dog and cat tapeworm, and carry several viral and bacterial diseases. Flea bites also cause skin allergies, rashes, and sores on both pets and their owners.
The best place to look for fleas on your pet are the hindquarters, base of the trail, stomach and groin regions. Sometimes no fleas are found but only tiny, black granules that resemble black pepper. This material is flea feces and consists of digested blood ("blood crumbs"). To distinguish this material from dirt, smudge it on white paper or add a drop of water to it. If you see a reddish-brown color, your pet has fleas, even if you don't visibly see a flea.
Life Cycle
After taking a blood meal, fleas drop off the animal and deposit their eggs in cracks, crevices, and carpeting. A single breeding pair of fleas may produce 20,000 fleas in 3 months. Eggs hatch after 2-21 days into larvae that feed in the environment. Larvae molt two times within 2-200 days and the older larvae spin a cocoon in which they remain for 1 week to 1 year. The long period during which the larvae remain in the cocoon explains why fleas are difficult to eradicate from the environment. A hungry adult flea emerges from the cocoon.
Flea Control
Many different products are available for flea control. To eradicate fleas, you must apply the insecticide correctly and at proper intervals. All pets and the environment itself must be treated to eradicate fleas.
In severe infestations, it is advisable to employ a professional exterminator for your house and yard treatment.
The best place to look for fleas on your pet are the hindquarters, base of the trail, stomach and groin regions. Sometimes no fleas are found but only tiny, black granules that resemble black pepper. This material is flea feces and consists of digested blood ("blood crumbs"). To distinguish this material from dirt, smudge it on white paper or add a drop of water to it. If you see a reddish-brown color, your pet has fleas, even if you don't visibly see a flea.
Life Cycle
After taking a blood meal, fleas drop off the animal and deposit their eggs in cracks, crevices, and carpeting. A single breeding pair of fleas may produce 20,000 fleas in 3 months. Eggs hatch after 2-21 days into larvae that feed in the environment. Larvae molt two times within 2-200 days and the older larvae spin a cocoon in which they remain for 1 week to 1 year. The long period during which the larvae remain in the cocoon explains why fleas are difficult to eradicate from the environment. A hungry adult flea emerges from the cocoon.
Flea Control
Many different products are available for flea control. To eradicate fleas, you must apply the insecticide correctly and at proper intervals. All pets and the environment itself must be treated to eradicate fleas.
In severe infestations, it is advisable to employ a professional exterminator for your house and yard treatment.