Fleas, scientifically known as Siphonaptera,
are tiny, wingless insects notorious for their itchy flea bites.
These pests can make life miserable for both pets and humans.
Fleas are tiny, flat bugs that are about the size of a small grain of rice. They come in colors like reddish-brown or black. Fleas don’t have wings, but they’re really good at jumping because their back legs are super strong.
They use their sharp mouth to bite and suck blood from animals like cats, dogs, or sometimes even people. They’re really good at hiding in fur or feathers and can be hard to get rid of once they’re in your home.
Where do fleas come from?
Fleas can enter your home in many ways. Fleas are often called hitchhikers. They stick to clothes, human skin and pets. They can also stick to your hair and enter your home.
The most common medium these pests choose is your pet. Fleas stick to cats and dogs, feed on their blood and make them weak.
Fleas go through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The lifecycle can be as short as two weeks, but under unfavourable conditions, it can extend to several months.
What do fleas eat?
Fleas are parasite, they eat blood of the host (cats, dogs, rats and human etc,). Adult males can survive for about two weeks without a host.
While, larvae primarily eat dried blood found in the feces of adult fleas, and sometimes they also consume the shed skins of other larvae.
Where do fleas live?
Fleas like warm and humid places. They often live in pet beds, carpets, and furniture with fabric. But they stay near pets or people so they can easily bite and get blood.
There are several types of fleas, the most common being cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) in the US. Despite its name, this flea infests both cats and dogs, as well as other mammals, including humans.
To get rid of fleas, you need to do a few things. First, use flea treatments for your pets, like medicine from the vet or special collars. Then, clean your house well by vacuuming carpets, rugs, and furniture and washing pet beds with hot water. If it’s really bad, you might need to use sprays or foggers made to kill fleas.
If fleas are outside, treat your yard with products that kill fleas, especially in shady and humid spots where they like to live. Sometimes, you might need help from a flea exterminator, who can do more to make sure all the fleas are gone from your home and yard. Check out our DIY Flea Treatment Guide here for more details.
Dog fleas are small, dark brown insects about 2-3 mm long, and they have a flat body sideways.
Products like flea sprays, powders, or flea drops containing insecticides can kill fleas on contact.
Fleas can survive for a short time without a host (like a dog or cat), but they prefer to live on an animal.
Look for signs like excessive scratching, red bumps on the skin, flea dirt (black specks), or visible fleas in the fur.
Fleas can jump up to 7-8 inches vertically, which is about 150 times their own height.
Fleas can live from a few weeks to several months depending on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity.
Treat your pet with flea medications prescribed by a vet, wash their bedding in hot water, vacuum carpets thoroughly, and use flea control products in your home. Contact expert flea treatment services to get rid of them completely.
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