What is a flea?

Fleas are blood-sucking ectoparasites. There are 2,200 flea species known in the world today. Only a few of these commonly infest cats and dogs. Fleas are not the same as ticks. The most common flea that affects both cats and dogs is the cat flea, or Ctenocephalides felis. Its dark brown or black body is about one to three millimetres long. They can also feed on people, but we're not their first choice of meal.

Why do cats and dogs get fleas?

Fleas love warm, humid environments. And they are determined, nimble creatures capable of Olympian feats. When they're hungry and looking for a home, they can jump 10,000 times in a row up to 60 centimetres high. Plus their flat bodies allow them to move quickly through a cat or dog's fur. You'll usually find fleas on the abdomen, the base of the tail and the head. However, a heavy infestation can thrive anywhere on the body.

What are common signs that my pet has fleas?

You may be able to see fleas on your pet, especially if there is a large burden Fleas are small, and just because you don't find one on your pet, it doesn't mean that they're not there or that your pet is not being bitten by them! Fleas suck your pet's blood and can cause terrible skin irritation that will make your pet scratch, lick and bite themself. This may result in rashes, scaly skin, hot spots and hair loss Droppings, digested blood known as flea dirt, in your pet's coat

The 4 life cycle stages of a flea

Adult fleas (5% of lifecycle):

are the ones you see moving around your pet's coat bite then feed on the blood of their host male and female adult fleas mate and lay eggs

Flea eggs (50% of lifecycle):

are not sticky and once laid quickly fall off the pet into the surrounding environment can't be readily seen with the naked eye take between 1-10 days to hatch into larvae

Flea larvae (35% of lifecycle):

hatch from the flea eggs are a small worm-like lifeform that move away from the light bury themselves in dark places e.g. deep in carpet pile, cracks in floorboards, etc. last 5-11 days while they undergo 2 moults to become a pupa (cocoon)

Flea pupae (10% of lifecycle):

are in a sticky impenetrable cocoon that becomes covered in debris cannot be killed by insecticides. usually lasts 5-14 days, but may lay dormant for up to 6 months

What do fleas do to cats and dogs?

Adult fleas have specially adapted mouth parts for piercing the skin and sucking blood. More than just annoying and irritating to your dog, they can also cause significant skin disease. Flea blood feeding is also associated with the transmission of several infectious diseases to both pets and people in Australia.

What is flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)?

It's an itchy skin disease animals develop from an allergic reaction to the saliva of fleas feeding on their blood. An affected pet will be very itchy - often from scratching, biting, licking and chewing. Their skin is usually reddened and there may be lesions and hair loss.

Infectious diseases from fleas

It's not just your pet at risk here. Fleas can carry infectious diseases that are transmitted to humans such as:

Rickettsia spp. ~ causes flea-borne spotted fever

Bartonella henselae ~ causes cat scratch fever

Yersinia pestis ~ causes Plague, an identified agent of bioterrorism.

Flea-Control

Fleas can cause numerous problems, and if you don't know how to treat them effectively, they can be extremely difficult to get rid of. In addition to irritating bites, fleas can carry and transmit bacteria that cause disease. The key to eliminating them lies in knowing which prevention and treatment methods are most effective during the different stages of a flea's life cycle.

It's also important to understand that in addition to treating pets, you must eliminate fleas from your house and yard to prevent reinfestation. Use the following questions to help plan an effective flea-control strategy:

Pet Treatments, Indoors, Outdoors and Flea Life Cycle

The first step in getting rid of fleas is to treat infested pets. This helps you begin to get the problem under control while providing relief for your dog or cat. You'll also need to eliminate fleas in your home, starting with your pet's sleeping area and any other places where he or she frequently rests or plays. Finally, you'll have to carefully inspect your yard and take measures to eliminate larger populations of fleas that might lead to reinfection. Some chemicals kill fleas directly while others prevent larvae from becoming adults (insect growth regulators, or IGR) or stop eggs from hatching (insect development inhibitors, or IDI). Fleas only bite during their adult stage, but they can be eliminated at every stage of their life cycle by employing various treatments.

Pet Treatments:

When you notice fleas on your pet for the first time, you have a number of different treatment options from which to choose. Use a fine-toothed, metal flea comb to remove adult fleas from your pet and flick them into soapy water where they will drown. Bathing pets in special flea baths and shampoos may not make them especially happy, but it will remove both eggs and live fleas. Spot-on treatments are applied between your pet's shoulders and protect them from getting new fleas for a month or more, depending on the strength of the product and the size of your pet. Flea collars help deter new fleas as well, though you'll want to use other treatments concurrently for maximum effectiveness. Systemic treatments are oral medications that are usually taken monthly and prevent flea eggs that have been laid on your pet from hatching.

* Read instructions carefully to ensure a particular treatment is safe for your pet

* Do not treat newborn puppies or kittens or pregnant animals

* Healthy cats and dogs resist fleas more easily, so take good care of your pet

* Sprays can be applied directly to pets to kill adult fleas

* Look for versatile treatments that deter fleas, ticks and other parasites

* Some oral medications also prevent heartworms and intestinal worms

Home:

Treating your pet will go a long way toward solving your flea problem, but you must treat your home to prevent your pet from attracting more pests. Thoroughly vacuum areas where your pets spend most of their time, particularly where they sleep. Fleas can escape from vacuum bags, so seal them in a plastic bag and dispose of them immediately after vacuuming. Be sure to treat baseboards, windows, door frames and other areas fleas may try to hide. Once fleas have been removed, continue to vacuum consistently to reduce the chances of another buildup.

* Foggers, powders and sprays can be used to kill fleas and inhibit growth

* Vacuum after application of treatment to remove fleas that emerge from carpeting

* Steam clean carpets and apply flea treatment afterward for maximum effectiveness

* Wash pets bedding, throw rugs and pillows to destroy fleas and eggs

Yard:

Failing to treat a large flea population in your yard can undo all of the hard work you've done inside your house and with your pet. Remove dead plants and other debris where fleas can hide and breed. Use sprays to treat areas where your pet rests frequently, such as patios, along foundations and under porches. You may need to reapply sprays after rainstorms to renew efficacy. Avoid using products containing harmful chemicals, as they can pollute nearby water supplies when washed away by storms or irrigation. Regular watering and lawn maintenance combined with a healthy dose of sunshine should prove effective in controlling fleas in your yard.

* Treat damp areas that are protected from sunlight, such as crawl spaces

* Remove foliage to allow sunlight into shady areas to inhibit flea growth

* Screen off damp, shady areas to prevent your pet from accessing them

* Outdoor treatments are available in spray, granule, concentrate and powder form

Life Cycle:

Different treatments work better during different stages of a flea's life cycle. Using a combination of treatments will prove most effective. Consult the chart below to learn which treatments should be used during various stages.

Stage, Description, Effective Treatments:

Egg

* Smooth and white ~ * Laid in pet's sleeping areas ~ * Hatch every few days ~ * Systemic treatments (oral) ~ * IDI sprays ~ * Vacuuming ~ * Flea collars

Larva

* Blind, limbless worms ~ * Very mobile ~ * Feed on debris left in nest ~ * Foggers ~ * Vacuuming ~ * IGR sprays

It is always a good idea to alternate the chemicals being used for your flea treatment throughout the year as the flea population you are trying to eradicate can and WILL become immune after time to the same chemical.