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Understanding Fleas and Their Life Cycle

Fleas depend on warm-blooded animals for survival. After feeding, female fleas lay eggs on their host. Each female can produce around 1,000 eggs in its lifetime. These eggs fall onto floors, carpets, and pet bedding. Within days, larvae emerge, feeding on organic debris before spinning silken cocoons. Fully developed they stay inside their cocoons until they sense vibrations from a nearby host. Once detected, they emerge and immediately begin feeding.

Where Fleas Thrive

They are active in areas where pets rest and where movement is frequent. They live on pets, in carpets, pet bedding, and upholstered furniture. Communal spaces, especially those with high pet activity, often become infestation hotspots.

Feeding Habits and Life Cycle

Adults feed on the blood of animals and humans, while larvae consume skin flakes, feathers, and the blood-rich faeces of the adults. Under warm conditions, the entire life cycle—from egg to adult—can take as little as a month.

Preventing and Controlling Flea Infestations

Regular cleaning and proper pet care play a crucial role in flea prevention. Here’s how to keep fleas under control:

• Vacuum frequently – Removing eggs, larvae, and adult fleas from carpets and furniture reduces infestations.
• Wash pet bedding – Use high temperatures to kill fleas in all life stages.
• Treat pets with flea preventatives – Vet-approved flea treatments keep pets protected.
• Maintain outdoor spaces – Mow the lawn and clear debris to create an unfriendly environment for fleas.

Signs of a Flea Infestation

Early detection makes control easier. Watch for these common signs:

• Excessive scratching – Pets scratching or biting their fur may.
• Flea dirt – Tiny black specks in your pet’s fur, which turn red when wet, signal flea droppings.
• Visible fleas – Fleas may jump on carpets, furniture, or even your clothing.
• Bite marks on humans – Small red spots, often on ankles and legs, can cause irritation and allergic reactions.

Why Flea Control Matters

Although fleas in the UK rarely spread disease, their bites cause discomfort and allergic reactions. Pets and humans can experience intense itching, making flea control essential.

When to Call Professional Pest Control

For severe infestations, professional treatment ensures effective eradication. Experts, like those at Shire Pest Solutions, use professional-grade insecticides that are unavailable to the public. Before treatment:

• Clear as much floor space as possible.
• Vacuum thoroughly to remove eggs, larvae, and adult fleas.
• Avoid vacuuming or washing floors for 1 to 2 weeks after treatment to maintain effectiveness.

Taking proactive measures and seeking expert help when needed will keep your home and pets flea-free. If you need professional flea control in Didcot or Wallingford, contact Shire Pest Solutions for expert assistance.

DO FLEAS CARRY DISEASES?

While fleas in the UK do not commonly spread diseases, they can still cause significant discomfort to both humans and pets.

Risk to People:

Flea bites can lead to intense itching and irritation. In rare cases, prolonged scratching may cause secondary skin infections like impetigo. Flea bites can also exacerbate respiratory issues. Although fleas have not been shown to spread diseases like the plague in modern times, they were historically associated with such outbreaks. The Black Death, for example, may have been spread by rare human fleas rather than rat-borne fleas.

Risk to Pets:

Fleas are a significant nuisance to pets, causing discomfort, allergic reactions to their saliva, and even anemia in severe cases. Pets with flea infestations often scratch, lick, or bite excessively to relieve the irritation.

Types of Fleas in the UK:

• Cat Flea (Ctenocephalides felis): The most common flea in the UK, which can bite humans as well as domestic cats and dogs.
• Dog Flea (Ctenocephalides canis): Prefers dogs but will feed on other mammals, including humans.
• Bird Flea (Ceratophyllus gallinae): Primarily infests birds and is known to multiply in large numbers.
• Human Flea (Pulex irritans): Rare in the UK but historically carried the plague-causing bacteria Yersinia pestis.

Flea Habitat:

Fleas can live on any warm-blooded animal, with common hosts including humans, domestic pets, and rodents. When not on a host, fleas are often found in areas of high activity like living rooms and pet sleeping areas. Fleas and their eggs commonly infest soft furnishings such as carpets, pet bedding, and upholstered furniture.

How Fleas Spread:

Even homes without pets can experience flea infestations. Feral animals like cats, foxes, and other wildlife are common carriers. Around 95% of flea eggs, larvae, and pupae are found in the environment, not on pets. Fleas can also hitch a ride on human clothing or hair.

Signs of a Flea Infestation:

1. Pets constantly scratching, licking, or biting.
2. Flea droppings visible in pet fur (turn red when water is added).
3. Bites on humans, especially around the ankles and legs.
4. Fleas visible jumping on soft furnishings.

Why Fleas Are More Common in Summer:

Fleas thrive in temperatures between 21–29°C and need humidity for egg hatching. This makes them more common during the summer months in the UK.

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Reach Us

Location :

4 Compton Close, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7HD

Email :

office@shire-pest-solutions.co.uk

Phone :

01235399073

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