FLEAS:
Fleas are parasites that suck blood from birds and mammals. You can find 2500 flea species around the world. The Ctenocephalides felis species in the US is the most common type of parasite. The most common signs linked with flea infestation is excessive biting, scratching and licking by pets.
WHAT DO FLEAS LOOK LIKE?
Fleas are wingless creatures that are few millimeters. They have back legs which they use for jumping. The fleas look like nasty parasites which can hop around 30 cm. The fleas can jump over the ground and pets easily with these back legs. Fleas are 3mm in length, they are small and creepy insects. The fleas look like reddish-brown or brown insects with flat bodies. They can suck blood from humans and animals. Fleas have mouthparts which they use to bite and cause itchiness. Fleas are tiny parasites which can cause misery for your pet animals. Once your pet catches a flea, it will bite after every 5 minutes causing itchiness, discomfort, and soreness.
WHAT DO THE ADULT FLEAS LOOK LIKE?
The adult flea is around ½ to 1/8 inches. They are wingless insects with oval-shaped bodies. The fleas are flat insects with the dark reddish-brown body. The adult fleas have six legs. They use legs for jumping long distances. They can jump for distances that are 200 times longer than their body length.
WHAT DOES THE BABY FLEA LOOK LIKE?
The flea larvae are 3mm in length. They are pale, white. They have a great resemblance to tiny worms.
WHERE DO THE FLEAS BELONG?
Pets catch fleas when they are outdoors. Fleas can survive in shady and moist places. The pets catch fleas if they hang in outdoor places. Fleas can also infest your home from squirrels, raccoons, feral cats, and rodents. These animals can also bring fleas into your home.
WHAT DOES THE FLEA BITE LOOK LIKE ON ANIMALS?
The fleas bite the pets and cause red spots over their body. These red spots appear within a line.
WHAT DOES THE FLEA BITE LOOK LIKE ON HUMANS?
They look like tiny red spots present in clusters or groups. They have redness around them with a central halo. The flea bites the humans on ankles, feet and lower legs. The symptoms of flea bite include:
- Itching
- Hives
- Redness
- Rashes
- Swelling
If a person is allergic to a flea bite, they will experience redness with small bumps. The allergic reaction to the flea bite can cause:
- Breathing difficulty
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Swelling of tongue and lips
- Chest pain
WHERE DO YOU FIND FLEAS?
During the fall and summer season, fleas rise to their peak within Canada. The ideal environment for fleas includes high moisture and warm temperature.
HOW DO FLEAS LOOK LIKE ON PETS?
If you have doubts that your pet is suffering from fleas, look for the following signs:
- Dark and tiny spots that move within the pet’s fur
- You can see flea eggs which are white specks over the pet
- Flea droppings that appear as black particles appear over the bedding or pet
- Family members and pets experience itching due to flea bite
- You can see irritation or red patches on the pet’s skin
- Excessive scratching or licking
- Hair loss
HOW TO DETECT FLEAS?
You can comb the pet’s tail, back, and haunches for identifying fleas. You can catch fleas or flea droppings with the comb. You can wet it with a little water to differentiate it from other dirt particles. The droppings by fleas look like reddish-brown material when dissolved in water.
Another approach to check flea infestation includes wearing the white socks. Fleas love to jump over the human’s ankles, feet, and lower legs. You can easily catch the fleas that look like dark brown insects jumping on your socks.
HOW TO PREVENT FLEAS?
Fleas usually invade your home with the pets. It’s best to prevent flea infestation by avoiding fleas over your pets.
- Avoid keeping your pets with animals that have flea bites
- Avoid keeping your pets at places such as sheds or under decks
- Maintain your lawns regularly and keep the grass shorter
- Check your pets with the flea comb
- Wash your beddings in hot water and clean them
- Dry clean your upholstery and curtains.
- Vacuum the carpets, upholstered furniture and rugs. Clean the areas thoroughly where the pets sleep.
- Use anti-flea medicines such as Revolution, Frontline, Advantix, and others
HOW TO TREAT FLEAS AT HOMES?
You need to follow a proper approach to get rid of fleas. Consult a veterinarian for your pets and pest control specialist for controlling the infestation of fleas at your home. You can treat fleas in the following methods:
- Use antimicrobial solutions for treating your homes such as diatomaceous earth, garlic spray or tea tree oil.
- You can mix tea tree oil with bath products over upholstery, bedding, fabrics, and carpets.
- You can use essential oils to prepare flea repellant spray. Use oils such as peppermint, citrus, rosewood, cedar, tea tree, eucalyptus, and lemongrass.
- You can use flea traps to get rid of fleas. Add water and hand soap in a bowl. Place it near your bed with a lamp nearby. The fleas attract to the warmth and get trapped.
- Sprinkle borax powder or diatomaceous earth over rugs, carpets or flooring.
- You can plant eucalyptus trees which serve as a flea repellant.
HOW TO TREAT FLEA BITES OVER PETS?
You can treat the flea bites in the following methods:
- Bath the pet with formulated shampoo
- Use cold water to ease inflammation
- Avoid using warm or hot water because it causes itching
HOW TO TREAT FLEA BITES ON HUMANS?
Once you are a victim of flea bites:
- Wash the affected bite area
- Apply antiseptic solution with an icepack
- Avoid scratching the affected area
- Apply lotions to reduce the itchiness
- If you experience an allergic reaction, apply calamine lotion to reduce itchiness and redness
- Visit the pharmacist and have antihistamines
- Consult your doctor immediately if you have severe symptoms
VERDICT:
Follow these simple preventive measures and treatment plan for fleas. These are highly effective to reduce the infestation of fleas within your homes and on your pets. Follow the simple treatment protocol if you or your pet suffers from a flea bite.
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