Flea Control

About

How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally Fleas on your pets are one of the most frustrating pest problems a homeowner can face, and one of the most commonly misunderstood. The most important thing to know about flea treatment is that when your pet has fleas, the fleas you see represent only about 5% of the total flea population. The remaining 95%, eggs, larvae, and pupae, are in your environment. Fleas can live in the yard, soil, lawn, garden beds, pet bedding, and household carpets. Effective flea control for pets is not just treating the pet alone, it requires a coordinated, multi-environment approach. What Are Fleas? Fleas are tiny, wingless, blood-feeding external parasites (ectoparasites) belonging to the order Siphonaptera. Over 2,500 species of fleas exist worldwide. The vast majority of flea infestations in North American homes and yards involve just one species, the cat flea (*Ctenocephalides felis*). The cat flea is the most common flea of domestic dogs and cats worldwide. Adult cat fleas are reddish-brown, wingless insects about 1/8 inch (1-3 mm) long, flattened side-to-side. They can jump up to 7 inches vertically and 13 inches horizontally. Their flattened body shape allows them to move easily through pet fur and resist removal by grooming. Health Risks Beyond Itching Cat fleas are more than a nuisance. Research confirms cat fleas are: The primary vector of Bartonella henselae, the bacterium that causes cat scratch fever in humans. Capable of transmitting murine typhus and cat flea rickettsiosis to humans. These diseases have flu-like symptoms including headaches, chills, fever, and rash. The intermediate host of the dog tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum). Pets, and sometimes children, can accidentally ingest an infected flea during grooming and become infected. The cause of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) in pets. This is the most common dermatological condition in cats and dogs, caused by an allergic reaction to flea saliva. Flea Life Cycle Why 95% of Fleas Are Not