House fleas:
Overview:
Fleas are wingless parasites who live on the
blood of warm blooded mammals. There are over
2,000 types of flea, the most common varieties
found in the home are cat fleas (Ctenocephalides
felis) or dog fleas (Ctenocephalides
canis). Fleas are most prevalent in the
warmer months but can be found all year round in
warm climates. Not only are they a nuisance but
they are also capable of passing on tapeworm and
causing anemia in pets. Some humans & pets are
also extremely allergic to the bite of a flea.
Signs of fleas in the house:
-
Itching, scratching, flea bites on both pets
& humans.
-
Finding fleas on your pet.
-
Flea droppings appear as brown specks on
your pets skin. They can also be seen on pet
bedding. If you are still unsure, stand your
pet on a sheet of white paper & rough up the
fur. Remove the pet & then spray the paper
with a de-mister.
If you have very small brown specks which
leave red stains on the paper then that is a
sure sign your cat has fleas.
-
If you are still unsure, put on a pair of
white socks & walk around the house. Fleas
are attracted to white clothing.
How to get
rid of house fleas:
There are several tasks involved in ridding your
home of fleas. These must be done together or
you will not combat the problem. It should be
noted that it is possible to have fleas in your
home even if you don't have pets. They can come
in on clothing & other furnishings.
The percentage of fleas on your pet is only
small (see picture below). So failure to kill
fleas at all stages of their life cycle will
result in fleas re-infesting your home (and
pet).
Treat the pet:
As you can see, only 5% of the flea population
lives on your pet. There are a vast array of
flea products on the market including topical,
flea collars, combs & sprays. Your veterinarian
will be able to advise you on the best product
for your pet.
Read here for more information on treating
fleas on pets. All cats & dogs in the house
should be treated regularly.
Treat the home:
As most fleas life in the surroundings, it is
important to treat your home at the same time as
your pet. Foggers are sprays that contain
insecticide to kill fleas in the environment.
Pay attention to out of the way areas such as
under sofas, skirting boards etc. This is where
fleas in all stages of their life cycle can
thrive. Place a flea collar in your vacuum
cleaner bag to kill any fleas sucked up.
Wash pet bedding in hot water.
Treat the garden:
Outdoor areas
should also be treated for fleas. Pay special
attention to areas that pets sleep such as
kennels etc.
All of these treatments must be done
at the same
time to effectively break the cycle.
Also see:
Flea bites
