Siphonaptera
It ’s a commonplace that ’s all too real : Your wiener or cat is sitting in the recess scratching at its neck furiously , and you’re able to practically see the small pests jump off off by the twelve .
Your effective friend has flea .
flea are midget insects that feed in on the blood of mammals , and they can be a botheration – both because of the itchy collation they leave behind and how unmanageable it is to carry off them .
Photo by Clare Groom.
An plague is miserable for both you and your pet .
We link to vendors to help you discover relevant products . If you buy from one of our links , we may realize a commission .
Do n’t worry , the presence of these pests is n’t a foretoken that you ’re neglecting your dog or guy , or that you are n’t a well enough housecleaner .
Photo by Clare Groom.
These critter have adapted over millennia to go on your pets , and they ’re good at it .
That said , if you notice them you need to take immediate natural process to get rid of them . The bites are bad enough , but they also disperse diseases and parasites .
Let ’s go over how to identify and deal with these vulgar blighter . Here ’s what ’s add up up :
What You’ll Learn
If you distrust your darling favorite is get by with these awful trespasser , there ’s no time to lose . Let ’s first delineate what exactly a flea is .
What Are Fleas?
flea are wingless ectoparasites in the order Siphonaptera that feed exclusively on the blood of mammal and bird .
There are one thousand of species worldwide and about 300 in the United States . The most common belong to theCtenocephalides , Oropsylla , andXenopsyllagenera .
They unremarkably measure between 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch in length , and have six leg that are adapt for jumping . They ’re capable to jump up to 200 times their length .
These pest be on or near the skin of their hosts , moving through the pelt of the animals swiftly thanks to their narrow-minded bodies .
Due to the backwards - pointing comb and bristles cover their bodies along with their foreclaws , they ’re able to anchor onto the host animal , making them difficult to shift .
They use bristled mouthparts call style to penetrate the host ’s skin to get at the line .
Life Cycle of Fleas
These pest have four life stages : ballock , larva , pupa , and grownup .
They flourish in warm , humid areas , and are less common in the wintertime , since temporary below about 46 ° F will kill them . But so long as they have a host , they ’ll survive through the cold months .
The eggs are ellipse and white , and are not unenviable , so they normally come off the host soon after they are lay and land in their bed – or on your furniture . That ’s where all the unspoilt solid food for the larvae is , anyway . After about a calendar week , count on the species and environment , the bollock think up .
The larva are an off - blanched colouring , legless , and usually no larger than one twenty percent of an in long . They feed on detritus like skin , numb hint , favourite dander , and dry blood flakes . They also fertilise on grownup flea feces that drop off the hosts .
Even if the eggs do manage to stick to the host , once they dream up the larvae will drop down off and find a suitable environment .
After shed double , they form a cocoon off the host and pupate .
This procedure of pupating takes about a month but can be up to three or four calendar month , because egress is activate by the front of a host .
When the pupa signified drive , heat , or atomic number 6 dioxide being exhaled , they emerge and latch on to the live host .
The adults use their light - sensitive eyes to key out benighted silhouettes against a light background knowledge . So a frankfurter moving through a field or a cat walk along a logarithm , for instance , will catch their attending . When they blob a potential host , they leap .
When the adults fertilize , they probe the skin to find a tasty daub before digging in . That ’s why you ’ll often see several bites in a row . They can remain seize for up to an hr , until they ’re engorged with pedigree .
adult generally live up to 100 days , lay eggs several times , and the cycle continue .
Flea Identification
In many cases , the first time people realize their pet have fleas is not because they spot the critter themselves , but because they see other foretoken .
Perhaps that ’s a serial of unusual bite on you or your pet ’s body . If you discover bites on your ankles , it ’s a middling effective sign that you take to take a closer look at your frump or cat .
The bites can be intensely itchy , and both hoi polloi and favorite can develop allergy to them even if they ’ve been bitten repeatedly for months without any evidence of an allergic reaction .
Pets will often scratch and masticate at their bites , which can result in secondary infection .
Look closely at your pet ’s pelt , particularly on the stomach , where the hair incline to be thinner .
Part the hair to unwrap the peel and look for non-white , capsicum - like flecks . This is flea turd .
you’re able to wipe it with a moist report towel , and if the towel comes away with red streaks , you’re able to be fairly certain it ’s their body waste .
You might also see cherry-red area or areas of cutting hair .
If you see a small , narrow insect scuttling through the pelt , endeavor to nab it and examine it closely .
These pests tend to mostly give ear out on the hindquarters , cervix , and stomach , so be sure to moderate these areas soundly .
Can Fleas Feed or Breed on Humans?
I bonk what you ’re wondering . Bothering your pet is big enough , but can they harm you , too ?
Some types of flea do tip on humans , and a few will even string up out on humanity if their preferable horde is n’t uncommitted .
flea loosely do n’t love humans because we do n’t have as much dense hair or pelt as their favourite mintage . That intend few places to hide out , and they ca n’t breed on humans .
As long as your dog or computerized axial tomography is around , the critters will select to hold out on them , not you .
But if your preferent leaf for a week or two , or they are no longer living with you , some species might decide that you ’re good enough , and they ’ll hang out on you .
That ’s rare , though . These pests prefer to live on their hosts because they take to feed oft – at least every few days . But if they can hunker down down in your bedding and feed on you on a regular basis , they can potentially breed without a innkeeper .
The exclusion to this is the human flea ( Pulex irritans ) , which exist on humans and fuzz . Luckily , these are n’t as vulgar as the species you find on your pets .
This metal money does n’t feed on frump or cats , so your pets ca n’t bring these character into the house . If you see fleas on your darling , you could rest assured that they are n’t the human type !
Are Dog and Cat Fleas Different?
There are many different flea species in North America .
The most rough-cut are hombre ( C. genus Felis ) , andiron ( C. canis ) , terra firma squirrel ( O. montana ) , and rat fleas ( Z. cheopis ) .
These pests also infest birds , with the westerly chicken ( C. niger ) and European chicken flea ( C. gallinae ) induce the largest economic impact .
C. felisandC. caniscan feed on both dogs and cats , but the frump species is n’t ordinarily found on dogs , oddly enough .
big cat fleas are more prevalent and in addition to wienerwurst , they also live on Fox , opossums , lapin , and even humans if a preferred host is n’t usable .
Harm Caused by Fleas
The most obvious hurt that flea cause are the irritating pungency that they leave behind .
If you ’ve ever been bitten by a flea , then you cognize how antsy and mad it can be . Just imagine if the creatures were living on you and bite you all the time !
A protagonist ’s dog was so exasperate by the constant biting that he became anxious and frustrated , and you could hardly blame him .
The itchiness and redness can last for week in raw soul , and scratch can cause haircloth exit and leave scars , in gain to launch the skin and reveal it to viruses , bacteria , and fungi that can stimulate petty infections .
In severe cases , an infestation can even kill young puppy or kittens by draining them of blood , causing anemia . They can also transmit tapeworms , further weaken your deary .
Speaking of , if you see evidence of tapeworms in your Canis familiaris ’s dejection , do a flea check . These two pests go handwriting in hand .
These pests also scatter disease . I once adopted a cat from a shelter , and as she was adjusting to her newfangled rest home , she was startled by my firedog . I grabbed her to calm her down , and she bit me .
We named her Bite and moved on from the incident , but a few day later , I take off feeling sick .
Turns out , I had cat chicken feed disease ( CSD ) . I do n’t blame Bite ; she was just protecting herself and did n’t trust me , yet . I find fault the fleas that she picked up at the shelter , which were potential the source of the disease .
I ’m lucky that it was n’t worse , since fleas can also ( less commonly ) spread pestilence and typhus .
Prevention
dog and cats usually pluck up fleas from contact with other animals or from spend time alfresco .
To deoxidize the chance of an plague , you ’d take to trammel out-of-door sentence or contact with other animals . establish your kat a catio and keep it clean , or keep your dogs on three and do n’t go to busy frump Rosa Parks .
That ’s easy allege than done , so it ’s a dear idea to bathe your animals regularly to wash off fleas and to checker them thoroughly for sign of these pests .
If you do notice fleas , play quickly . It ’s gentle to tackle a lowly infestation than a large one .
Mow your lawnfrequently and keep it low to divulge hiding grownup or puerile flea to sunlight , and keep flea - channel mammals like squirrel , mice , lowlife , opossums , raccoons , and vagabond CT away from your property .
If you have to transfer a dead animal from your property , be certain to wear mitt and dampen your clothing as shortly as potential . These blood suckers will be reckon for a new host , and they might hitch a drive on you until they ascertain the pleasant-tasting warm physical structure of your dog .
If you have vermin living in your attic , creep space , or other area attached to your home , get rid of them . They can harbor the pests , and they can transfer to your pets .
I would n’t dream of keeping my stock poodle confined indoors .
One of them launch the door in the dawning and solarize herself in the lawn for a in force half an hour before she ’s ready to face the day .
My son does a daily patrol of the intact fencing perimeter to see if any cats or raccoon have visited , and it ’s the highlighting of his day . specially if he catches the perfume of a recent visitor .
If your pets are like mine , they ’re going to chance fleas on a unconstipated footing .
In that sheath , you ’re get going to need to use a preventative handling . Depending on where you hold up , you might want to expend it year - orotund .
If you ’re deal with an active plague but your dog is n’t regularly exposed to areas where these pests live , you could often get away with treating them once and be done with it . Unless they devolve , of course .
Let ’s look at the usable options .
Flea Treatment Options
There are many products on the market for treating flea , from mechanical remotion options to repellents and poisons . Some serve as treatment for an active plague only , where others are long - acting and study as a preventive .
Whichever you choose , in the case of an plague all of your deary must be treated at the same prison term .
In add-on to process your pet , you ’ll ask to vacuum and swing your plate regularly , include your floors and furniture , to get disembarrass of the adult , egg , pupae , and larvae .
Do n’t forget to clean the baseboard , corner , bound of the wall , and under furniture . Empty the suitcase or bank identification number in an out-of-door garbage can immediately after you end up .
Do n’t assume that just because you ’re using a repellent or pesticide on your pet or in the base , you could pass over this step .
Vacuuming is cardinal in hold in an plague – it not only wet-nurse up the adults , larvae , pupae , and egg , but it also removes the larvae ’s food source . Plus , the vacuum cleaner set off the flea to emerge and seek out the host . Just recollect of how clean your home will be .
Wash any bedding that the pet comes in contact with straightaway and at least once a week thereafter .
Flea collars operate by repelling the insects , and they also kill any that come in liaison with it . Unlike treatments that come in the circulative organisation of your pet , the flea does n’t need to sting the host to be poisoned .
Some flea collars are exceedingly affordable , while others can be quite expensive . In this case , you tend to get what you pay for .
They often contain ingredients like the pesticides imidacloprid and flumethrin that spread along the dog ’s skin .
Products like Seresto ® work passing well and last up to eight month . I use these on my dogs and they ’re highly effective , even when we flow out with other dogs carrying flea .
Seresto ® Collar
If you ’d wish to judge it , Amazon carriesthe large cad sizing in one or two packs .
Oral treatments and preventatives are chews or pills that you give to your dearie . These contain a neurolysin , such as lufenuron , that recruit the circulative organisation of the host and paralyzes flea when they run .
A flea receives a Elvis when they go down on your pet ’s blood .
Some of these discourse bear extra ingredients so they can also tackle other problems like heartworms and intestinal parasites , making them multi - purpose .
Capstar is a treatment that moderate the neonicotinoid nitenpyram and take up working in 30 minute of arc and can quickly pour down a turgid percentage of the pest on your dearie within a day .
Capstar
Pick some up in six or 12 count packs made for either dogs under 25 pounds or over 25 poundsat Amazon .
Note that this mathematical product is not long - acting and is worthy for use as a treatment for an participating infestation , not a preventive . A version for cats is also useable .
Flea sprays or gunpowder are another alternative .
They comprise insecticide like orthoboric acids that repel or kill fleas on contact , and are in the main effective until your pet gets wet , at which point reapplication would be necessary .
The problem with something like boracic window pane is that it only mould on larvae , since grownup fleas do n’t consume anything but blood .
turkey , sprays , and gunpowder aimed at killing flea in your household rather than on your favorite are n’t as efficacious .
you’re able to utilise these in add-on to other treatment if you apply them to your pet ’ bedding or other areas where they on a regular basis fall out – but do n’t rely on these products as your only dominance method .
Medicated shampoos work to bolt down the insects and eggs that are present at the time of software , but they do n’t lick once the bath is done .
Many of these check intimate products like pyrethrins , and most involve to be left on the pet for at least 15 minutes to work .
Dips play in a alike manner , but instead of bathing the dog and rinsing them off , you go out the merchandise on their hide and allow them to dry .
I care Adams Flea & Tick Shampoo because it smell like coconut rather than chemicals , even though it contains pyrethrins .
My dogs do not endorse this or any other product that postulate the dirty language “ bath ” and “ time , ” however .
Adams Flea & Tick Shampoo
arrest a 12 ounce bottleat Amazonand hide it from your furry friends , or you start the risk of them fell into tenuous aviation like mine do .
Spot treatments are those that are employ to the skin and resolve in the peel ’s glands to repel or kill insects that come in contact with it . place treatment often wipe out multiple dissimilar pests .
One treatment might address mosquito , flea , lice , ticking , and biting flies .
Many of these topical treatment use ingredients that have been establish to be effective , such as permethrin , fipronil , or imidacloprid .
vantage II is one choice that harnesses imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen to keep your cat-o'-nine-tails safe from plague . Pick up four doses , which should be applied monthly , at Amazon .
reward II for CT
you may encounter a version for andiron , alsoavailable at Amazon .
Other treatments applied to the hide are absorbed into your pet ’s circulatory system . These drink down pests by overstimulating their unquiet system once they ingest blood that contains the product .
Be aware that some oral and spot treatmentshave been found by the FDAto increase neurologic issues such as seizures .
Products in the isoxazoline class cross the blood - mastermind roadblock and can do symptoms in brute that were antecedently symptom - free or exacerbate those with live conditions .
Be sure to chat with your vet if you have any concerns .
I choose to debar these products on my epileptic dog on the advice of her neurologist just to be safe , but everyone needs to determine what ’s dear for them and their individual situation .
If whichever product you ’re using works , you ’ll probably start to see flea on your pet at the end of the hair or fur , rather than at the base , near the skin . The dead bodies migrate out and aside from the cutis , so it ’s a good signal as it mean your chosen product is working .
A Note of Caution:
Be mindful that most treatments workeitheron dogs or on cats . There are treatment out there that will harm or kill your favourite if you apply one that ’s intended for the other species .
Always consult your veterinary before administering any medication to your pets and be certain to follow the manufacturer ’s education for use .
Every one of these choice has the potential for some form of downside .
dog collar can cause irritation in the cervix area , shampoos can make skin temper , dips and sprays can stimulate vomiting , and some ducky are more sensible to chemical treatments than others .
Always consult your veterinarian for more info and whether your chosen discourse is appropriate for your ducky .
The only flea handling that does n’t have any side event is the exercise of a flea comb .
But it ’s also the most time consuming and intriguing method acting . You ’ll demand to comb your favorite daily , motivate slowly through their fur , and then stick any pests you recover in soapy water to overwhelm them .
It ’s time - consuming but think of it as attach time between you and your pet .
Flea cakehole can also assist you becharm the adults and larvae living in bedding areas , but they wo n’t control the ones live on your deary .
Your Pet Will Thank You
It can take months to completely eliminate an infestation , particularly if you have to consider with removing mice or other varmint from your attic , have several pets , and/or you have limit on what merchandise you’re able to expend .
Keep at it , I predict it ’s possible to disembarrass yourself of them and your best Quaker will be so beaming you did . You will , too .
And if you require to hear to take with pests in your house and chiliad , check out these guides next :
Photos by Clare Groom © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more item . Originally published January 3 , 2015 . Last update July 8 , 2023 . Product photos via Adams , Advantage , Capstar , and Seresto . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Kristine Lofgren
