Cat Fleas
January 29, 2010 by Aaron Steen · Leave a Comment
Cat Flea
Fleas are another important insect group because as everyone knows, they can carry disease including plague and typhus. It is also suspected that they carry dog tapeworms. Cat fleas are the most common species and are carried on both cats and dogs. They are found are all over the world and every state in the U.S. Adults are small, only about 2 mm long and can be black to brown colored.
It is believed that fleas can jump up to 6 feet, which is how they establish themselves on new hosts. After each feeding, females lay 4-6 eggs so numbers can reach high levels very quickly. Hatching occurs in about 2 days depending on the environment and they usually stay in areas that pets frequent such as cracks, bedding and carpeting. Fleas can live for several months if there is no host present. Normal survival rates with ideal conditions can last for up to a year. It is not necessary for pets to be present to have fleas as most homeowners believe. They can be transferred on shoes and clothing much the same as bed bugs.
Control is much the same as bed bug control. Homeowners must first have infested pests treated with frontline or similar products which can be purchased at the veterinarian’s office. All clothing, toys and items that can be washed should be on high heat to kill any eggs. Vacuuming should be done on a regular basis for several days during and after the spray treatments. Fogging is sometimes necessary. Pest professionals should also use an insect growth regulator which kills eggs. Any animals outside the home, such as raccoons, rabbits and squirrels should be controlled to keep new fleas from reestablishing in the home. Dog fleas, human fleas, and rat fleas are other species and treatments are identical. These fleas are not as common as cat fleas.