If you have an outdoor pet, you probably know that fleas are the biggest insect nuisance your pet has.
Almost any warm-blooded animal can be a host for fleas.
That includes cats, dogs, birds and, unfortunately, humans too.
Understanding fleas may help you with preventing them from becoming a problem at your house.
Here is a list of 12 facts to keep in mind regarding these tiny pests.
1.
Fleas are tiny.
They are typically between 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch (1.
5 to 3.
3 mm) in length when full grown.
The female is larger than the male.
They have a flat body which allows them to easily move through and around hair and feathers.
The largest flea is specific to beavers.
These fleas have been known to reach almost 1/2 inch in length.
2.
There are over 2000 species of fleas and they exist all over the world in almost all habitats.
3.
Fleas are terrific jumpers, but they cannot fly.
They have tiny legs that are used to propel them up to 200 times their body length.
4.
The females lay oval-shaped eggs.
They are light in color and are found in groups of about 20 eggs or more.
5.
These pests can multiply very fast.
A single adult flea can lay eggs every single day.
So even one or two on your pet can quickly multiple.
6.
Flea larvae are blind.
They can often be found in carpeting, where they stumble around searching for something to eat.
Larvae do not eat blood.
Instead they eat adult flea feces along with as discarded skin cells, hairs and feathers.
7.
The adult flea is hematophagous, which means it primarily consumes blood which it takes from its warm-blooded host.
In fact, in order to lay eggs, the adult must first consume blood from its host.
8.
Fleas are not just a nuisance, they can also spread disease and cause serious health problems.
They can cause a form of skin allergy called flea allergy dermatitis.
They can also start other forms of skin irritation as well.
9.
The bubonic plague was spread by the Black Rat Flea.
Fleas can also spread typhus, tapeworms, viruses and protozoans.
10.
Fleas need a warm temperature and some humidity to successfully grow into adults.
Once the temperature is below 70 degrees and the humidity level is low, the number of new adult fleas is dramatically reduced.
11.
Getting rid of these pests can be difficult and annoying and usually requires a combination of tactics to completely get rid of the fleas in all four stages of their life cycle -- egg, larva, pupa and adult.
The most effective treatment methods use a combination of powders, sprays, and treatments of the animal with flea collars, drops, and shampoos.
In addition, persistent vacuuming and cleaning of the home, along with controlling the temperature and humidity levels can be effective.
You may want to consult your veterinarian to develop a complete plan.
12.
Once you have fleas, a single treatment will most likely not fix your situation.
It is recommended to continue treatments for at least 6 months.
Don't stop just because you think the fleas are gone.
Infestations can come quickly come back even if only one or two are left.
Once you have finally rid your pet of fleas, preventing them will then become your priority through a regular and consistent prevention routine.
We love our outdoor pets, but flea infestation can cause some serious problems.
Prevention is the best policy, but if you are suffering from fleas, you need to devote some time, attention and a little bit of money to eliminate these pests from your home and animals.
And don't forget to consult your veterinarian.