Fleas - Advice for identifying and controlling
What do they look like?
Adult fleas are between 1-3 mm long and red-brownish in colour. Their bodies are compressed from side to side and the legs are used for jumping heights of up to 16 cm.
Flea eggs are pearl white in colour, oval shaped and approximately 0.5 mm long.
How do you spot them?
Adult fleas are visible to the naked eye, as brownish-red insects, that move quickly or jump. Adult fleas feed on blood from warm blooded animals, drawing blood from their host by using their piercing mouth parts and injecting anti-blood clotting saliva. As well as being found on the host, e.g. cat or dog, fleas and their eggs are frequently found in the animal's bedding or in carpets where the animal usually lies. The Cat Flea is the commonest species of flea and readily bites humans.How do they affect humans?
Fleas can be carriers of disease, although this is uncommon in the UK and may transmit parasitic worms. Both cat and dog fleas are intermediate hosts of the dog tapeworm which can sometimes be transmitted to man. Fleabites can cause intense irritation around a central bright red spot.The Life Cycle
The eggs hatch after one week into white thread-like larvae. Larval stages live in the nest of the host and feed on skin, feathers, and the blood-rich faeces of the adult flea.
When they are fully-grown the larvae spin well-camouflaged silken cocoons and pupate. The adult usually emerges within seven weeks but can remain within the cocoon until it detects the vibrations caused by a potential host. The complete life cycle will normally last four weeks but may take longer at low temperatures.
How do you control them?
Flea control measures depend to a large extent on the size of the infestation. In most instances infestations of well-kept houses can be easily traced to pets.- Good Housekeeping - Regular and thorough cleaning is extremely important. Infested beds and bedding should either be thoroughly cleaned or sealed in a polythene sack and disposed of with normal household refuse. Remove dust and debris from cracks and crevices and vacuum carpets, especially the edges or under furniture e.g. chairs etc. If pets lie on furniture this should also be cleaned paying attention to under cushions, crevices etc.
- Insecticidal Control - Insecticides can be used to treat premises infested by fleas and will help protect them from re-infestation. However, for the treatment to be successful the host animal must be treated as well. Always treat infested pets with a special veterinary aerosol, powder, shampoo or medication, available from most veterinary surgeries or pet shops. Care should be taken to follow the manufacturers instructions.
Flea treatment advice
Please follow the instructions outlined below prior to having treatment domestic flea problems :- Remove all small items from the floor
- Thoroughly vacuum the house and throw away the bag, or disinfect the chamber of a bagless vacuum cleaner with disinfectant.
- All the carpeted areas of the house should be sprayed.
- The property must then be vacated for at least 4 hours. All pets must be removed too.
- After the treatment do not vacuum for at least 14 days.
Helping to prevent reoccurence
- Check your animal for fleas on a regular basis.
- Treat any cats or dogs with an special veterinary aerosol, powder, shampoo or medication and flea collar. Treat your pet's basket/bedding area.
- Maintain a good level of housekeeping.
- Remove any old bird's nests in the eaves or loft.
Treatment
North Shropshire District Council provides treatment for fleas free of charge in domestic properties.
| email: | envhealth@northshropshiredc.gov.uk |
|---|---|
| telephone: | 01939 238460 |
| fax: | 01939 238468 |
