Fleas
There are several types of flea and they all have mouthparts designed to pierce the skin and suck the blood from either a mammal or bird. Fleas are a wingless insect however they are very agile due to their long longs which allow them to jump vertically up to 7inches (18cm) vertically and horizontally up to 13 inches ( 33cm) which makes them one of the biggest jumpers out of all the known animals relative to it’s body size.
Facts about Fleas
When having a treatment carried out for Fleas, it is important that you understand the life-cycle of the flea as this will help you to protect your property from further infestations and help to make sure that the treatment is as effective as possible.
- A female flea will lay up to 50 eggs per day, about 2,000 in her lifetime. She will lay them on your pet and they quickly fall off as they are not sticky.
- The eggs hatch in to larvae in between two to five days.
- The larvae head toward dark places around your home and feed on flea dirt – excrement of partially digested blood of your pet. The larvae grow, molt twice and spin cocoons, where they form in to a pupae.
- The pupae stage averages 8 to 9 days depending on weather conditions.
- The adults come out of their cocoons when they detect a host is nearby. Once they hop onto a host, the adults mate and begin the life-cycle all over again.
- The entire life cycle can be as short as 3 to 4 weeks.
- There tends to be an increase in fleas 5 to 6 weeks after the weather starts to warm up.
Method of Control
Thorough treatment is essential to gain long term elimination and control. Pet treatments, contain a growth inhibitor (a product that stops the development of the flea egg), which is very important.
There are several other things you can do to treat for fleas or at the very least reduce their chances:
- Groom and treat your pets. Animals swallow eggs when they clean themselves so grooming with a flea comb will help stop this. Flea eggs will drop off so groom outside. Your vet can give advice about flea treatments.
- Hot wash any pet bedding regularly
- Hoover and clean your home regularly including your furniture thoroughly.
