Pets are another family member just like any other. Our fur babies are really important to us, and it’s important that we keep them safe and clean. One of the big things that comes against these cats and dogs is fleas.
Fleas are a massive problem and something that can not only get onto your pets and bite them, but they can get into your home and bite you and your loved ones as well. They can spread some diseases, and they are extremely uncomfortable. So it’s important that you contact a Tulsa exterminator as soon as you can to get rid of them.
So let’s talk a little bit about fleas and how they work. Fleas are an extraordinary insect. They have the capability of jumping forty times their body length.
Fleas use a complete life cycle to develop. This means they’re much like a butterfly. They start as an egg, then they hatch as a larva, or caterpillar-like structure. Then they cocoon up in the pupa stage and finally hatch into the full-grown adult. Most of their life cycle happens off their host animal, but they still need their host animal to survive.
The eggs are laid on the base of a piece of fur. Then, as the animal scratches, that egg will break loose and fall off onto the ground, usually near bedding and other places. The egg will wait until it senses heat and vibration nearby, which tells it that there are possible host animals close. Then it will hatch into the larval stage.
The adult flea will actually leave droppings that will fall off as the animal scratches as well. These droppings are consumed by the larval stage and allow it to grow based on the blood that’s still in the dung of the adult flea. Then it will pupate again.
Once it senses the heat and vibration of a possible host animal close, it will break free of its cocoon as an adult. This is the stage in which it will use its powerful hind legs to jump onto a host animal that comes near.
Scientists have found that these legs are actually geared together biologically inside the insect. A large muscle going down the length of the insect is tensed, much like a coiled spring. Then, when an animal comes close, the energy is exerted from the muscle, and the powerful two hind legs push hard and cause the animal to jump.
Because they’re geared together, that keeps the pressure from both legs at the same level, causing the insect to be able to aim correctly and not fly off to one side. This gives the flea an amazing ability to jump so far.
Once they get on, this is when they’re going to feed upon the blood of their host animal. While they can feed on humans, they want an animal that they can hide in the fur, and so they won’t stay on us very long. But that doesn’t mean that their bites don’t aggravate us.
So it’s important that you contact a Tulsa exterminator as soon as you can to get rid of fleas if you think they’re in your household. TermMax Pest Control is the best when it comes to dealing with fleas or any other insects. Contact us today if you think you’re having a problem.
