Fleas Control

What do they look like?

Adult fleas are between 1-3 mm long and brownish in colour. Their bodies are compressed from side to side which enables the flea to move through fur and feather with ease. The hind legs of a flea are relatively large and are used for jumping heights of up to 16 cm. Flea eggs are pearl white in colour, oval shaped and approximately 0.5 mm long.

How do you spot them?

Adult fleas are visible to the naked eye, as brownish-red insects. that move quickly or jump. Fleas feed exclusivety on warm blooded animals, drawing blood from their host by using their piercing mouth parts. As they pierce the skin they inject anti-blood dotting saliva to extract the blood of their host. As well as being found on the host, e.g. cat or dog. fleas and their eggs are frequently found in the animal's bedding or in carpets where the animal usually lies.

How do they affect me?

Fleas can be carriers of disease or may transmit parasitic worms. Both cat and dog fleas are intermediate hosts of the dog tapeworm which can sometimes be transmitted to man. Generally. in the UK fleas are not responsible for the transmission of disease. However. they are still objectionable due to the bites they inflict. Fleabites are identified as a small dark red spot surrounded by a reddened area. The bite persists for one or two days and maybe intensely irritating. Occasionally people become immune to fleabites.

How do they live?

The eggs hatch after one week into white thread-like larvae. The larvae thrive in dark. humid places such as carpets and animal bedding. After two or three weeks when they are fully-grown the larvae spin a cocoon and pupate. The adult usually emerges within seven weeks but can remain as a pupa throughout the winter only emerging when triggered by the movement close by of a suitable host. This explains the occasional mass attacks which take place in homes that have been empty for a long time. The complete life cycle will normally last four weeks but may take longer at low temperatures.

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