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Although there are over 2,000 species of fleas, the most commonly encountered today is the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). Despite its name, it is adaptable and is found on both cats and dogs.
Fleas are responsible for a variety of problems ranging from simple itching and infestation to allergic skin reactions, the spread of tapeworms and other disease.
The adult flea is a blood sucking parasite which feeds only on the host’s blood, ingesting it through its piercing mouthpart. It represents only a small percentage of the infestation.
The vast majority of the flea population is actually in either the egg, larval or pupal stage, which you cannot see. Effective elimination of fleas requires control at all levels of the life cycle.
The female always lays her eggs on the pet. When on a pet, adult fleas feed vigorously but digest only a small percentage of ingested blood, the remaining is excreted as small black fecal “flea dirt”.
Feeding stimulates egg laying while on the host. In just 30 days, 10 fleas can multiply into thousands of fleas.
The small white eggs do not adhere to skin and hair, but fall freely off the host to contaminate bedding, floors, carpets and the environment.
Any effective treatment must control flea larvae, since they are the largest percentage of any infestation. The larvae have long spines which allow them to cling to carpet fibres and furniture. This makes it difficult to simply vacuum them up.
The pupa is shielded by a cocoon. Fleas emerge from their cocoon with proper stimulation. Vibration, heat, motion and increased carbon dioxide levels ‘awaken’ the fleas and indicate the presence of life.
If you have an infestation you should treat your pets and your home.
The best way to stop the flea life cycle is to use flea control products containing the Insect Growth Regulator, Methoprene to kill flea eggs and flea larvae.
Because flea eggs and flea larvae make up approximately 90% of the average flea infestation, Insect Growth Regulators are an essential element of flea control.