FleasOrder (Siphonaptera)
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There are around 1400 species of fleas worldwide, but the most common three types known to affect humans are human fleas, dog fleas and cat fleas. These varieties are found widely throughout the United Kingdom but are not so common in America.
Fleas are parasites approximately 1.5 mm to 3 mm in length which live on mammals. They use their well-developed jaws to bite through the host's skin and to extract blood.
Their legs are long, the hind pair well adapted for jumping: a flea can jump vertically up to 7 inches (18 cm) and horizontally up to 13 inches (33 cm). This is around 1200 to 2200 times their own body length, making the flea one of the best jumpers of all known animals (relative to body size). Their bodies are laterally compressed, permitting easy movement through the hairs or feathers on the host's body or, in the case of humans, under clothing.
Fleas are parasites approximately 1.5 mm to 3 mm in length which live on mammals. They use their well-developed jaws to bite through the host's skin and to extract blood.
Their legs are long, the hind pair well adapted for jumping: a flea can jump vertically up to 7 inches (18 cm) and horizontally up to 13 inches (33 cm). This is around 1200 to 2200 times their own body length, making the flea one of the best jumpers of all known animals (relative to body size). Their bodies are laterally compressed, permitting easy movement through the hairs or feathers on the host's body or, in the case of humans, under clothing.
Flea Bites
Flea bites generally show themselves as red itchy bumps on the skin. The skin can easily be broken by scratching and this often leads to infection.
Flea bites generally show themselves as red itchy bumps on the skin. The skin can easily be broken by scratching and this often leads to infection.
Treatment and Control
Adult fleas often lay their eggs in inaccessible places like seams or folds of material in soft furnishing or clothing.
When the eggs hatch they go through a further three stages of development and can exist without nutrition for extended periods of time until a passing host becomes available.
County Pest Control understands the biology and life cycle of the flea. We use Integrated Pest Management to eradicate them and to educate our clients in the steps they need to take to avoid reinfestation.
Adult fleas often lay their eggs in inaccessible places like seams or folds of material in soft furnishing or clothing.
When the eggs hatch they go through a further three stages of development and can exist without nutrition for extended periods of time until a passing host becomes available.
County Pest Control understands the biology and life cycle of the flea. We use Integrated Pest Management to eradicate them and to educate our clients in the steps they need to take to avoid reinfestation.