Fleas
Siphonaptera
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SIZE
1/16in to 1/8in long
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COLOR
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BITE OR STING
Yes
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WINGS
No
COMMONLY MISTAKEN FOR
General Information
While fleas are tiny, they can be a huge nuisance to people and pets. Find out where fleas come from, where they live, and how to help protect your family and pets from these blood-sucking pests.
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The female flea can consume 15 times her body weight in blood every day.
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It’s not enough to kill the adult fleas that you see, you must also eliminate their eggs and the flea larvae.
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Fleas are most prevalent in warm and temperate climates year-round. However, in some colder climates, they are only seasonal.
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Adult fleas are tiny in size (about a sixteenth of an inch long) and reproduce quickly.
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Only adult fleas bite. The larvae feed on dried blood exuded from the adult flea.
Details
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Pets can get fleas from the yard, dog parks, and from coming into close contact with infested animals.
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Most adult fleas live on your pet.
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Flea larvae are most commonly found on your pet’s bed, its favorite piece of furniture, or on the carpet.
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Adult fleas survive on blood.
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Fleas prefer to bite cats and dogs, but will attack humans when a pet cannot be found.
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Some cats and dogs that are infested with fleas develop dermatitis around the bite area. Excessive scratching in pets with fleas is common.
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Fleas may also serve as an intermediate host for tapeworms that infect dogs, cats, and occasionally small children.
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Flea bites continuously annoy pets and humans.
HELP GET RID OF FLEAS IN THE HOUSE & CARPET
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Treat your home, pet, and pet areas simultaneously to help kill fleas most completely.
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Do a follow-up pet treatment two to three weeks after the first treatment because fleas in their cocoon stage may survive the first round of treatment.
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Wash bedding and rugs your pet may have contacted in hot water to remove existing fleas, eggs, and larvae.
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Vacuum often to help get rid of fleas in your carpet. After vacuuming, seal the bag securely in another plastic bag and throw it away outside your home.
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Steam clean all carpets if you have a heavy flea infestation.
HELP GET RID OF FLEAS ON DOGS & CATS
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Give your pet a designated sleeping area that can be cleaned regularly.
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Wash pets regularly with a flea shampoo.
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Talk to your veterinarian about flea prevention treatments for dogs and cats.
