Key Features:
Small (2mm) wingless insects, flattened side to side, red-brown with backwardly directed spines and legs designed for jumping.

Biology:
All adult fleas are parasitic on warm-blooded animals. Larval stages live in the nest of the host and feed on skin, feathers and, most importantly, the blood-rich faeces of the adult flea. When fully grown the larvae spin well camouflaged silken cocoons. When fully developed the adult waits within this until it detects the vibrations caused by a potential host. Only then does it emerge. The complete lifecycle takes about a month in the summer.

Distribution:
The Cat Flea is by far the commonest species of flea and readily bites humans. The Human Flea and the Bird Flea are next in importance. Dog fleas are rare, although other species may become temporarily attached to dogs.

Significance:
Adult fleas feed on blood. Their bites can cause intense irritation around the central bright red spot. Different people react differently to a bite, both in terms of degree of reaction and time taken to react.

Because vibrations trigger the pupa to emerge, when people enter empty premises where infested cats previously lived, the human hosts can suffer significant attack.

Control:
The first step in controlling a flea infestation is to identify the primary hosts, such as cats or dogs, and give them the recommended veterinary treatments.

In order for these to be successful, a residual insecticide should then be applied to all areas where the host is likely to be found. This will prevent the pupa from emerging to create a new generation of fleas. Steam cleaning of carpets and furniture will kill any fleas left.

Regular combing and bathing of pets can help to avoid future flea problems.

If you have a problem with fleas, Safeguard can help you! Contact us today for more information.