Today’s families include our dogs and cats. Our pets are an important part of our families and need to be protected from many different things. One of the major pests we need to protect our dogs and cats from is fleas. Fleas are blood-feeding insects that live on animals and feed on their blood. Flea infestations can cause irritation and may also be associated with disease transmission, so it’s important to protect both pets and people.
Fleas can transmit certain disease-causing organisms. For example, cat-scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae, and fleas play an important role in spreading the bacteria among cats. Fleas can also transmit flea-borne typhus to people in areas where the disease occurs. The phrase “canine typhus” is not the standard name for this disease. The CDC provides information about fleas, flea-borne diseases, and prevention.
The flea life cycle helps explain why an infestation can be difficult to eliminate. Adult fleas live and feed on a host animal. Female fleas lay eggs in the animal’s coat, but those eggs are not attached to the fur and commonly fall into carpets, bedding, furniture, cracks, and other places where the animal spends time.
After the eggs hatch, flea larvae emerge. These small, wormlike larvae avoid light and feed on organic debris, including the dried blood contained in adult flea feces, commonly called flea dirt. Eventually, the larvae form cocoons and enter the pupal stage.
Inside the cocoon, the flea develops toward the adult stage. Adult fleas can emerge in response to cues associated with a potential host, including vibration, warmth, and carbon dioxide. Once an adult flea finds a suitable host, it begins feeding and the reproductive cycle can continue. Fleas can also persist indoors during colder months when pets and heated buildings provide favorable conditions.
Because much of the flea life cycle occurs away from the pet, successful control may require attention to the animal and the surrounding environment. Pet treatment decisions should be made using products appropriate for the animal and, when needed, guidance from a veterinarian. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides guidance for controlling fleas and ticks around the home.
If you think you’re having a problem with fleas or another pest, it’s time to give a good Tulsa Exterminator a call. TermMax Pest Control can evaluate the property and recommend an appropriate approach for the environmental side of a flea problem. Contact us today if you think you’re having a pest problem.
