Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis)

Fleas are a parasite that feeds on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The common cat flea is found on both cats and dogs, and is the species usually identified in attacks on humans. It is also the species responsible for flea plague.

Adult fleas are reddish brown in colour and between 2-3mm in length. One female flea can lay about 18 eggs a day, which normally take between 14 and 21 days to hatch. They hatch to produce small larvae, which feed on organic debris and faecal waste from the adult fleas. The larvae pupate in cocoons, which are resistant to insecticide. The pupa can remain dormant for up to 12 months until stimulated by the presence of a host. This explains why fleas 'attack' in large numbers when entering a house that has been empty for a long time.

Some fleas can attack a range of hosts, and their ability to transfer from one host to another allows for the possible transfer of pathogens, causing illness. They pierce the skin, inject an anaesthetic and anti-coagulant into the host to prevent blood clotting and then suck out the blood. Some of the blood passes straight through their rectum in order to lay their eggs.

Treatment for Fleas
All carpets need to be vacuumed and then the debris needs to be deposed of correctly. We treat all carpets, cracks and crevices with a broad spectrum residual Insecticide. The treatment has to be left undisturbed for 14 days following application (so no vacuuming is allowed for two weeks!). Fleas may still be seen for up to 14 days.