Flea

About The Pest

Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of any warm-blooded animal. The most common species is the cat flea, which often feeds on cats, dogs, and humans. Fleas can live for about 100 days during which time the females produce 400-500 offspring. Fleas transport themselves on rodents and other mammals, and usually remain on their hosts at all times. These pests use their powerful legs to jump as high as 8” vertically, which is 150 times their own height. Fleas infest both household pets and wild animals like opossums, raccoons and skunks. They can also be found on shoes, pant legs or blankets, which can easily transfer the fleas to new environments. Fleas are the most common transmitter of the rare bubonic plague. They also transmit the bacterial disease murine typhus to humans through infected rats. Their saliva can cause serious flea allergy dermatitis in pets and their debris has been reported to cause similar allergic reactions in humans. Fleas can also transfer tapeworms and cause anemia in pets. Flea bites commonly cause painful, itchy, red bumps.

Seasonality

Fleas peak in activity during the months of August through October.