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Cat
Flea
Characteristics –
Size: Tiny insects measuring about 1/6-inch in length and are
laterally flattened.
Color: Reddish brown.
Their flat shape allows cat fleas to easily pass between the hairs of animals.
The cat flea is the species involved in most home infestations and will attack
both cats and dogs. It is usually carried into the home by a pet. Once inside,
large populations can build up quickly.
Behavior –
One female flea can lay about 18 eggs a day and just 20 fleas on a dog can
produce 360 eggs per day and over 2000 eggs in a week. After the home is
treated, it may take up to two weeks or more before fleas are no longer seen.
The reason for this is that flea pupae are unaffected by the treatment until the
adult fleas emerge from their pupal cocoon. In any flea population, all stages
of the flea will be present including numerous pupae. It will take several weeks
for all adult fleas to emerge from these pupae and contact the treatment.
Vacuuming as often as possible after the treatment can speed up this process
because it stimulates adult fleas to emerge from their cocoons.
Habitat – Fleas are ectoparasites of animals, meaning they
live on the outside of the body and need to feed on the blood of these animals
in order to produce eggs. Because fleas usually feed and lay their eggs while
the pet is sleeping, the pet's resting areas are where the most fleas will be
found. Many pets acquire fleas outside in the yard. Research has demonstrated
that urban wildlife, such as raccoons and opossums, are commonly responsible for
introducing these insect pests onto residential properties where the pets can
encounter them.
Tips for Control – Controlling a flea
infestation successfully requires four steps:
 | Preparation for treatment.
| Treatment of pets.
| Treatment of the inside premises.
| Treatment of flea activity sites outside. |
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Obviously, the pet is critical to minimizing flea infestations
and regular grooming helps to limit fleas on the pet. For this reason, customers
need to keep the pet groomed and treated with on-animal flea control products.
Step One. Any flea treatment will be less effective if the home is not prepared
properly by completing the following steps:
| Remove all items, such as toys, clothes, and pet food from
all floors.
| Remove all items from under beds and in the bottom of
closets.
| Wash or replace pet bedding.
| Vacuum all carpets and rugs thoroughly, including beneath
beds and upholstered furniture.
| Clean all wood, tile, and linoleum floors by sweeping and
mopping.
| Clean concrete floors with soap and water in the garage,
basement or enclosed patio where pets rest or stay.
| Remove all pets including birds and reptiles. Cover fish
tanks with a damp towel and turn off the air pump.
| Replace any pet bedding outdoors and make all shaded areas,
crawl spaces, etc. available for treatment.
| Arrange to be out of the home for several hours until the
treatment has thoroughly dried. |
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Step Two. The homeowner needs to arrange for treating the pet.
A number of on-animal treatment products are now available, and should be used
under the direction of a veterinarian.
Step Three. In homes that have an active flea infestation, a residual treatment
combined with an insect growth regulator should be applied. A professional, such
as Carson, can best accomplish this treatment by using specialized equipment.
Efforts should be focused on the areas where pets rest or sleep since this is
where most fleas will be located.
Step Four. Outside, treatment should be applied to shaded areas and beneath
shrubs and decks where pets rest or sleep. Again, a professional has the right
equipment to provide this treatment effectively. |
