Fleas are small, reddish-brown, wingless insects with flattened broad spines and oval bodies covered with a tough shell bearing many bristles. Fleas survive on the blood of humans, birds or animals. They are ravenous blood-suckers, consuming up to 15 times their body weight in blood per day!
Fleas are the most common cause of skin disease in dogs and cats. Fleas can bite 400 times a day. When a flea bites, it injects saliva into your pets skin. This triggers an allergic reaction followed by intense itching, hair loss, scabs and red irritated skin that can become infected. Animals that lose too much blood may also develop anemia (a dangerous drop in the number of red blood cells). Small animals such as puppies or kittens are especially at risk of anemia from flea bites, signs may include pale gums and lack of energy. Fleas are also attracted to human blood. They can jump from your pet’s fur or bedding and onto your skin. The intense itching and skin infections are common for people, too.
A female flea can lay 40 to 50 eggs a day, at that rate, an overwhelming infestation doesn’t take long. If a flea lays eggs on your pet, some may fall off and hatch on your carpet, bed or other furniture. The new and old fleas then look to feed on you, your children and your pets. Fleas are extremely hard to get rid of because of their rapid reproduction rate and long life cycles. Females can lay eggs 2 days after her first blood meal. A flea can live up to a year in the presence of a host and up to 100 days without a blood meal.
Pet, home and yard treatment needs to begin at the same time. Thoroughly bathe pets with mild soap and water, starting by a ring of soap around the neck (so fleas don’t run to the head), follow with combing with a flea comb, and end with a vet recommended treatment. The life cycle of a flea is complex, at some stages fleas are actually resistant to flea control products. 2 or more follow-up treatments, every 5-10 days, are necessary to get rid of all fleas, in all stages of their life cycle. Even a moderate infestation will take months to remedy without a professional. Luckily, you have trained professionals just a phone call away. If you think you have fleas, call All Star Pest Control today at 316.854.3096!
