In most cases, how a flea looks, many begin to think only when there is a feeling of discomfort caused by this insect to pets or to the person himself. But it’s better to know in advance the face of your enemy, and even more so the measures to combat it.
Flea description
Fleas are pests. They lead a parasitic lifestyle, necessarily associated with a particular host. Of course, how a flea looks will depend on the mode of existence. But, as a rule, these are small, wingless, flattened parasites on the sides, having a size of only 1 to 5 mm. These insects are covered with numerous bristles and spikes, with the help of which they move and hold on the body of the host. The flea’s mouth is conveniently used for blood sucking and piercing the skin; eyes are most often absent. The color of the insect ranges from yellow to brown. Flea jumps are carried out over long distances, which can be two hundred times the length of their body.
From eggs to larvae
Over the entire period of its existence, a flea goes through several stages of development: from an egg to a larva, from a larva to a pupa, from a pupa to an adult insect. The eggs are laid by the female on the coat of the animal or in its habitat. One flea can put them down to twenty-five pieces per day, and throughout life - up to six hundred. Sometimes eggs, like grains of salt, cover the body of the animal, which contributes to their scattering everywhere.
After some time, larvae appear on the light. At this stage, their appearance is completely different and different from how the flea looks in adulthood. The food of the larvae is any organics, including the feces of adults. And in the absence of such food, they can eat each other. Larvae live together with the host; therefore, they are most often found on the rug of an animal, in genital crevices, in cellars, etc.
Pupa and adult
A further stage in the development of a flea is the transformation from a larva to a pupa. In this form, they can be stored throughout the year, fairly well tolerating cold time. After a certain period, due to warm weather or the presence of a warm-blooded animal, adult fleas appear from the pupae. Under normal conditions, their full development cycle takes three to four weeks.
How many fleas live depends on their living conditions and a combination of different circumstances. In general, the duration of a flea existence can be not only months, but also years. These insects pounce on animals, and in their absence - on humans. If in the external environment fleas can survive a large amount of time, then their nutrition and reproduction is impossible without cats and dogs. And the food of adults is only blood, which they consume in large quantities.
Symptoms of the presence of fleas in animals
There are such types of fleas as human, cat, dog, rabbit and rat. By their name alone, it is possible to determine with the help of which host they lead their lifestyle.
Most often we encounter cat and dog fleas that parasitize on cats and dogs. To find these insects on the body of an animal, you need to first examine it thoroughly. More often fleas are visible in the abdomen, around the ears, as well as on the thigh from the inside. When bathing an animal, you need to pay attention to the skin of the eyes. After all, if parasites exist on the body, then they will accumulate in dry places. And even if you can’t see an adult flea, you can easily notice poppy-like waste products.
Dog flea detection
Periodically, you need to check your pet for parasites. And, of course, dog fleas will immediately make themselves felt. To do this, you need to put the dog on a white cloth or paper and scratch it, after which the showered blood residues and excrement will be noticeable. If you wet them with water and brown spots appear, you can be sure of the presence of fleas in the animal.
In addition, the dog will remain in an excited state due to painful flea bites. He can also become rather inattentive, scratching himself all the time. In the wounds formed at the site of bites, various infections can get. Therefore, if the dog has signs of itching, lack of appetite, weight loss, nervous state, poor concentration, then urgently need to save the animal.
How to get rid of dog fleas
Today, thanks to a large selection of parasite control products, both cat and dog fleas do not look so intimidating. Some remedies are designed to eliminate the adults of these insects, others are used to get rid of larvae, and still others are used for preventive purposes. Before choosing the most suitable drug for your pet, you need to carefully study the instructions for its use. Wounds on the dog's body, which appeared from bites, must be treated with brilliant green. But if we understand what the flea looks like, difficulties have arisen, or the animal has an allergic reaction, you should immediately consult a specialist.
From fleas in dogs, the most common are funds in the form of oil drops, aerosols and sprays, dusts and solutions, injections and tablets, shampoos, and also collars. Choosing any of these drugs, you must first take into account its duration of action and the level of toxicity.
In addition, for success in the fight against fleas, you must adhere to conditions that will adversely affect the development of parasites. To do this, you need to regularly clean the premises, bedding, booths and other places where they can live.
Prevention of fleas in animals
No less important than the treatment of parasites is their prevention. Knowing where the fleas come from, how they breed and how they live, you can try to protect your animal from such “neighbors”.
And there are many options for picking up these insects: starting with contacts with other infected animals and ending with walks in the park and trips out of town. After all, dog fleas live on trees, and on grass, and just on the ground. Even a person can bring them home on their own. And little puppies can get infected from their own mother, having these parasites.
Therefore, it is especially important that all pet's habitats are kept clean: clean all surfaces with a vacuum cleaner, use an aerosol to destroy fleas, bathe your pet with a special flea shampoo, and comb out the hair with a comb. And if you neglect such preventive measures, diseases caused by fleas can lead to death for the animal.
Earth fleas
But if dog and cat fleas do not annoy a person so much, then their basement or earthen relatives turn into a real disaster. Such parasites live in the basements of residential buildings, and in the future they can occupy apartments, especially those located on the lower floors. You can get rid of such a neighborhood in simple ways. Better to start without waiting until the fleas in the basement finally settle. To do this, use wormwood, tansy, turpentine, dichlorvos, kerosene. You also need to get rid of rats in the basements on time, to prevent the accumulation of debris and the accumulation of moisture.