Fleas
Siphonaptera
-
SIZE
1/16in to 1/8in long
-
COLOR
-
BITE OR STING
Yes
-
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.
The female flea can consume 15 times her body weight in blood every day.
It’s not enough to kill the adult fleas that you see, you must also eliminate their eggs and the flea larvae.
Fleas are most prevalent in warm and temperate climates year-round. However, in some colder climates, they are only seasonal.
Adult fleas are tiny in size (about a sixteenth of an inch long) and reproduce quickly.
Only adult fleas bite. The larvae feed on dried blood exuded from the adult flea.
Details
Pets can get fleas from the yard, dog parks, and from coming into close contact with infested animals.
Most adult fleas live on your pet.
Flea larvae are most commonly found on your pet’s bed, its favorite piece of furniture, or on the carpet.
Adult fleas survive on blood.
Fleas prefer to bite cats and dogs, but will attack humans when a pet cannot be found.
Some cats and dogs that are infested with fleas develop dermatitis around the bite area. Excessive scratching in pets with fleas is common.
Fleas may also serve as an intermediate host for tapeworms that infect dogs, cats, and occasionally small children.
Flea bites continuously annoy pets and humans.
HELP GET RID OF FLEAS IN THE HOUSE & CARPET
Treat your home, pet, and pet areas simultaneously to help kill fleas most completely.
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.
Wash bedding and rugs your pet may have contacted in hot water to remove existing fleas, eggs, and larvae.
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.
Steam clean all carpets if you have a heavy flea infestation.
HELP GET RID OF FLEAS ON DOGS & CATS
Give your pet a designated sleeping area that can be cleaned regularly.
Wash pets regularly with a flea shampoo.
Talk to your veterinarian about flea prevention treatments for dogs and cats.
