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 Fleas are external parasites that can be found attached to the hair or skin of their hosts.
Adult fleas measure approximately 1/8-inch in length and their bodies are shiny and reddish-brown in color. They are covered with microscopic hair and are compressed to allow for easy movement through animal fur.
Fleas do not have wings, although they are capable of jumping long distances. They have three sets of elongated legs.
Fleas can jump up to 7 inches vertically and over a foot horizontally.
Fleas commonly attach themselves to the hair of dogs, cats, humans, chickens, rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice and other domesticated or wild animals.
There are many species of fleas and scientists estimate that there are over 1600 and counting.
About 95% of fleas live on mammals and about 50% live on birds.
The type of flea you are most likely to find on your cat or dog is called the ‘Cat Flea.’ The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is one of the most abundant and widespread species of flea on Earth.
The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis is the most common flea in North America, although the dog, human, and sticktight fleas are also quite common.
Fleas that have fed on rodents may transmit diseases, including plague and murine typhus. Other flea-related health problems include flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), anemia, rickettsiosis, tapeworms, and cat scratch disease. Fleas are capable of spreading disease, especially those that have fed on rodents.
Some of the diseases they transmit are murine typhus, plague, Bartonella, and apedermatitis.
Fleas can transmit tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) to humans or pets if swallowed.
Fleas have also been found to carry Borrelia Burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease. However it is unclear if they have the ability to transmit Lyme disease.
Fleas can also maintain their life cycle on other carnivorous mammals like possums.
Adult fleas need a blood meal to survive initially and to lay eggs. However, after that, a flea can survive two months or up to a year without feeding.
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The female flea consumes 15 times her own body weight in blood daily.
After the female flea lays her eggs on the surface hair of the host. Eggs then drop from the host and can infest carpets, bedding and furniture, hatching into larvae within 14 days.
Flea larvae avoid light and feed on organic matter found within cracks and crevices of the host animal’s environment.
Usually within 18 days, larvae enter the pupal stage by constructing small, cocoon-like structures around themselves.
Approximately two weeks later, adult fleas emerge and begin to search for food sources.
Fleas establish large populations where pets and other animals, such as livestock, are present.
Pets suffering from flea bites scratch themselves incessantly.
Some people exhibit flea allergies when they are bitten by fleas. The allergic reaction usually occurs from and allergy to the flea’s saliva.
Fleas may also carry human diseases such as typhus and tularemia.
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