Fleas
are wingless parasitic insects that
cause direct harm to mammals and birds
by biting them to obtain food. This is
in contrast to other insects that cause
harm through property damage and food
competition. Fleas have mouth parts that
pierce the skin of their hosts to suck
blood as a meal.
For climate conditions, fleas prefer and
thrive in warm and humid weather. It is
also in these conditions that eggs are
laid. The typical flea can live anywhere
from a few days to several months. Their
presence is most prominent in the summer
and autumn, but they can be a year-round
problem in warmer climates.
The most common flea that afflicts
households is the cat flea, especially
in the East. Despite its name, these
fleas attach themselves to dogs and
humans, as well as cats. Also in
existence, but much less common, is the
dog flea as well as the human flea,
which afflicts people and animals in the
West. Additionally, there are other
species that pose a threat to different
animals, but not to pets and people.
Examples of these are the Oriental rat
flea and the northern rat flea. These
fleas feed on rats and mice as their
names suggest.
When male and female fleas attach
themselves to a host, they will feed on
blood several times per day. Female
fleas require a blood meal and mating
before laying eggs. When they lay their
eggs, the eggs fall off the host and
into pet bedding, the edges of carpets,
or in floor crevices. After a period of
one to twelve days, the eggs hatch into
larvae. The larvae have a maggot-like
appearance and can move around with the
aid of tiny bristles on each of their
segments. These larvae then bury
themselves into low-traveled areas of
carpeting so that they can go through
three larval stages over a period of 7
to 15 days. After the 7 to 15 days, they
spin a cocoon in they evolve into pupa.
It is in the cocoon that flea pupa can
stay anywhere from a week to a year. The
shortest stay happens when conditions
are favorable (warm and humid). When the
adult flea emerges, it can live for
months by sustaining itself on body
reserves until it finds a host. When it
does, the cycle of egg-laying and
hatching begins anew.
The real danger of fleas (aside from
aggravation and discomfort) is the
threat of bacterial infection. By biting
and puncturing a host, an opening occurs
in the skin that can potentially let in
bacteria. This threat is escalated if
the puncture turns into a sore, which is
common due to scratching. Also, if a
flea is feeding on one host and then
jumps to another, the flea can
potentially be transmitting a disease
from host to host.
Extermination for fleas involves a
complete floor-surface chemical
application. It is necessary to get
every inch of floor space because fleas
can hide just about anywhere. To prepare
for an application, it is necessary to
vacuum all the carpets and wood floors
in your house, as well as the cushions
of your couches and padded chairs. Upon
completion, you must throw away the
vacuum bag. All tile floors must be
mopped and concrete floors swept.
Anything on the floors of the closets in
your home must be picked up and either
put up high or put on a bed. Make sure
there are no children's toys on the
floor or any other loose objects.
Although it is a pain to prepare for,
extermination of fleas is necessary to
live comfortably and disease-free.
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