A Few Facts About Fleas

• According to the National Pet Health and Care Network (NPHCN), fleas are small, wingless insects. As parasites, fleas live in or on a larger organism, such as dogs or cats. Adult fleas suck the blood of their hosts and are known to survive for months while waiting for a victim.
  
  
• Although there are many different species of fleas, the most common are the cat flea and dog flea.
  
  
• Fleas like temperatures of 62-83 degrees Fahrenheit with 52 to 92 percent humidity--similar to how we keep our homes. Fleas are most common from spring through fall.
  
  
• Fleas have a four-stage life cycle: Egg. Larva, Pupa, and Adult. According to the NPHCN, the typical flea population consists of 50 percent eggs, 35 percent Larvae, 10 percent Pupae and 5 percent Adults.
  
  
• Common symptoms of fleas include biting or scratching around the tail, groin or back, or the appearance of small scabs or bumps on your pet's neck or back.
  
  
• If you are unsure if your pet has fleas, the NPHCN recommends checking for flea dirt--tiny black specks found on your pet or on its favorite spots. Flea dirt is actually an adult flea's feces which is rich in blood. To determine if the specks are flea dirt, wet the specks with a drop of water and if they turn red, they're flea dirt, and your pet has fleas.
  
  
• You can also use a flea comb to check for fleas. You can purchase a flea comb at any pet store. Run the comb through your pet's hair, and if your pet has fleas you'll see either flea dirt or the fleas on the comb.
  
  
• If you find fleas, you will need to treat both your pet and your home.
  

This information provided courtesy of Sergeant's Pet Products Inc.