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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. |
www.dogandkennel.com
