What Are Fleas?
- Fleas are wingless, parasitic insects that feed on blood from mammals and birds, including pets and humans.
- Fleas can spread numerous diseases and are adept at rapidly multiplying.
- While there are around 2,500 species of flea in the world and more than 300 that make the United States their home, the majority of pest flea species are cat fleas.
- In the wild they are found in nests, dens, burrows, roosts, and other areas where their hosts are found.
- Fleas are laterally flattened (like a book standing upright on a bookshelf) and small. They have large hind legs for jumping. They are sometimes confused with bed bugs which are vertically flattened (like a book lying flat on a coffee table) and do not jump.
Fun fact – fleas are more common in the warmer months because they are cold blooded and the animals they typically feed on are more active in those months.
Cat Fleas
The most common flea species in the U.S. is the cat flea. Despite their name, cat fleas are happy to live and feast on both dogs and cats. If there are no dogs or cats in your home and you happen to be the only mammal in your home, cat fleas are happy to feed on you — although humans are not their primary choice. Cat fleas have short life spans, but make up for short time by reproducing at an alarming rate: Adult female cat fleas can lay one egg per hour and lay 5,000 eggs over their lifetime!
Under ideal conditions, fleas can develop from egg to adult in less than four weeks.
Fun fact – while there is a flea with the common name “dog flea”, it is rarely found on domestic animals
Ahp's Bug pro chelle Hartzer says:
Fleas can transmit diseases dangerous to our pets, domestic animals, and even nearby people.
Life Cycle
Fleas have an interesting life cycle which is important to know when it comes to controlling them. The eggs, larvae, and pupae do not live on the host animal. Only the adult fleas (both male and female) are actively feeding and living on the host. They need a blood meal to lay their eggs. The other life stages are on the ground, living off any blood droplets and undigested blood from the adults. They can even survive on dry pet food! This means treatment must focus on not just the host, but all areas around the hosts.
Fun fact – Adult fleas are champion jumpers and can jump 50 times their body length. This allows them to easily jump between host animals. They are one of the best jumpers of all known animals!
Are Fleas Dangerous?
Probably the most commonly known disease transmitted by fleas is the bubonic plague which killed millions of people in Europe in the 1300’s. There are still a handful of cases of the plague in the US yearly and more in developing countries.
The most common symptoms of flea bites are itching and redness. There are more serious cases called “flea allergy dermatitis.” More than just the typical itching, swelling, and irritation that comes with other bug bites, it is an allergy to flea saliva. Flea allergy dermatitis is very uncomfortable and can lead to painful skin infections that are costly to treat.
It is almost impossible to diagnose a flea problem from bite marks. Reactions can range from person to person and there is no consistent characteristic. To determine if the issue is fleas or another problem, the insects must be confirmed from the home.
Other diseases that fleas can transmit:
- Cat scratch disease and trench fever is caused by a bacteria and is associated with heart disease, eye inflammation, and seizures in cats, dogs, and humans.
- Tapeworms are a serious parasite that can cause malnutrition and weigh loss in dogs.
- Flea-borne typhus which is transmitted to humans by flea-infested cats.
If you believe you have been bitten by fleas and may have significant symptoms, see a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Fun fact – the movie “Jurassic Park” would have been more accurate if they took the blood from fleas instead of flies; fleas were present at that point, but blood-sucking flies evolved later.
Ahp's Bug pro chelle Hartzer says:
Laundering soft goods, vacuuming, and wiping down hard surfaces can decrease flea problems.
Preventing Fleas
Preventing fleas starts with protecting your pets. Ask your veterinarian for the best treatments for your particular pet. Don’t forget about outdoor animals like backyard chickens, goats, and other warm blooded animals kept in the vicinity. Do not use any home remedies or essential oils, they have been proven ineffective.
Fleas need higher humidity levels to complete their development. Reducing the overall humidity levels, increasing airflow, and reducing temperatures can all help to arrest or reduce flea development from egg to adult.
It is also important to seal up openings that other animals, like bats and squirrels, can use to get in and start nesting. If you have a crawlspace or attic, don’t overlook openings for those areas. Keeping vegetation trimmed back and overgrown areas managed can help keep wild animals away from the home so fleas don’t have a chance to infest.
Fun fact – Bats, squirrels, raccoons, and other animals can harbor fleas. When those animals are roosting or living in a home, the fleas can build up and start biting people. Eliminating the original host first is necessary before dealing with the fleas. Because adult fleas are great at jumping, and immature stages are in the environment, all pets in the home are at risk if they are found on one pet. Protect all your pets by talking with your veterinarian.
Treating for Fleas
It is important to use a veterinary prescribed product when treating pets and domestic animals for fleas. When fleas have been found on a pet, have the vet check for heartworms if the animal has not been previously protected. For treating areas in the home, use an EPA approved product and follow all the label rules. Flea combs may remove up to 60 percent of fleas from an animal but are time consuming. Flea shampoos are more effective but still require other treatments to not re-infest. Ultrasonic devices are completely ineffective.
Since most of the flea life cycle is not feeding on a host animal, cleaning the surrounding area is important. Launder any pet beds, linens, towels, soft toys, pillows, and anything else that can be washed and dried. Use hot cycles to completely kill all life stages including eggs.
Vacuuming can physically remove many of the eggs, larvae, and pupae. Make sure to empty/remove the vacuum contents when finished so fleas don’t continue to reproduce in the vacuum! It can also help to wipe down solid surfaces with a cloth and general surface cleaner.
When treating (with an EPA registered product) ensure there is an insect growth regulator (IGR) as part of the ingredients. As mentioned above, fleas have a complete life cycle of eggs, larvae, and pupae. An IGR uses the flea’s hormones against them; by giving them a huge dose of the juvenile hormone, they can’t complete their development to the adult stage. Since the adults are the only ones that can mate and lay eggs, stopping the life cycle before they can get to the adult stage helps control the population. It is also considered low risk because an IGR is only effective against insects so there are no non-target effects.
Since many things can cause bite-like reactions (like new items, changes in medications, allergies, and more), it is important to monitor for fleas, bed bugs, and other biting pests. Using glue boards in key areas can ensure that fleas are the main issue, and if their populations are being reduced due to treatments.
Do not use “bug bombs” as they are not very effective and can be dangerous.
There are many areas that fleas can inhabit in a residence so if there is an infestation, you may want to call a pro.
Reach Out for Help with Fleas
There are mitigating treatments and measures that you can take to prevent and control flea infestations in your home and on your pets. Call a veterinarian in your area for advice on the right method of control that is best for your pets and domestic animals. To find out what methods work best for controlling fleas in and around your home, reach out to At Home Pros. We’ll connect you to top-quality pest control specialists in your area to help protect against fleas.