Our pets are very much a part of our families, and because of this, we need to protect them from things that could hurt them. One of those things is fleas. These insects get into their fur and bite them, causing uncomfortable itching and sometimes rashes. Fleas can also spread certain diseases to pets and humans. Keeping them out of your home is very important. That’s why you should call a Tulsa exterminator if you think you have fleas. Let’s take a look at fleas and how they operate.

Fleas undergo complete metamorphosis as they develop into adults. An adult flea usually lives on a host animal, where the female lays eggs in its fur. Those eggs are not firmly attached and can fall off as the animal moves or scratches. This often happens around the animal’s sleeping area or other places it spends a lot of time. The eggs hatch into larvae, which begin feeding on material around them. One important food source is flea dirt, the droppings of adult fleas that fall from the host animal.

Flea dirt contains partially digested blood, which helps flea larvae develop and grow. The larvae feed on this material before eventually pupating. During the pupal stage, a flea develops inside a protective cocoon, forming the structures it needs to become an adult. Once development is complete, the adult may remain inside the cocoon until cues such as warmth, movement, or vibration suggest that a host is nearby. It can then emerge and search for an animal to feed on.

Once it emerges, the adult flea needs to find a host. Outside, it may wait in vegetation or another place where an animal is likely to pass. Fleas are built to jump impressive distances and heights for their size, allowing them to reach nearby hosts. Once on an animal, they bite through the skin and feed on blood. Fleas can bite people as well, although common pet fleas generally prefer furry animal hosts and usually do not remain on humans the way they do on cats or dogs.

Fleas can also survive cold weather in different ways. Adult fleas may remain on warm host animals, while immature stages can persist in protected environments. Eggs are not the only stage capable of surviving winter conditions; larvae and pupae may also survive when temperatures and shelter allow. This is one reason flea problems can persist even when it is cold outside.

If you’re having a problem with fleas or any other pest, it’s time to contact a good Tulsa exterminator who can deal with these insects. TermMax Pest Control can handle flea problems quickly and efficiently. Call us today if you think you’re having an issue.