Causes of Flea Infestations

Causes of Flea Infestations

Itchy Infestations

Fleas are external parasites that bite their various victims, leaving behind itchy red marks. These nasty little vampires are reddish-brown, oval-shaped insects that measure about 4mm long, are wingless, and have 6 legs. The most prominent species to plague us in the United States is the Ctenocephalides felis… also known as the “cat flea,” though, this is a misnomer as the Ctenocephalides felis most commonly infect dogs. These pests have very high reproductive potential with a single female producing approximately 2,000 eggs in her lifetime, and the entirety of a flea’s life from egg through adulthood is, on average, completed in 28 days, leading to the existence of several generations in a single season.

Our Furry Friends

Fleas are external parasites which means they travel on the backs, legs, etc. of their hosts from place to place and being to being. Due to this, and the fact that the most common fleas in our area tend to feed on cats and dogs, fleas tend to come into the home on pets that spend time outdoors or with other pets. There are a variety of preventative treatment options available for pet owners to help protect their pets, however, most cases of flea infestations occur when such preventative treatments are not applied to pets, or are done improperly, allowing fleas to target the pet and thereby enter the home.

Double Infestations

Just like how fleas can use “fluffy” or “fido” to get into homes, they can use other animals as well. For example, historically, fleas are notorious for being spread by rats, so if you begin to notice fleas in a pet-less home, this may actually be due to a rodent infestation. Similarly, in one case in Talmo, Georgia, a pest control professional was met with an army of fleas that were crawling out of the light fixture on the ceiling of his customer’s home. After some additional investigating, the technician discovered that the source of the fleas was a racoon who had nested in the attic of the home just above that ceiling. These cases are considered double infestations and can be quite a headache to handle without professional intervention.

The Dangers of Fleas

When fleas enter homes, they tend not to discriminate – they will bite pets and humans alike and can spread dangerous diseases to both of us. Historically fleas spread the bacterium Yersinia pestis… the “Black Plague,” across Europe. While the plague is mainly perceived as a historical illness caused by rats, this is not completely true. It is still possible to contract the Black Plague today, although thankfully, our modern medicine can now treat the bacteria if caught early enough. Other diseases that fleas can transmit to humans include tularemia and typhus. For pets, the most common flea-related problem is an immune response called flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), which is caused by flea saliva being injected into the dermis of their victims resulting in intense itchiness and skin irritation. In other severe cases, when various fleas are attacking one host, your dog or cat could be at risk of developing a very serious medical condition: anemia. Symptoms of anemia include increased lethargy, labored and/or rapid breathing, and weakness – all signs that your furry friend requires immediate medical intervention. If left untreated, this flea-induced condition can unfortunately even lead to death.

Treating Flea Infestations

Fleas are far from being simple annoyances and are considered very serious pests due to the variety of health risks they pose. If you have pets, consider consulting your vet about prescription or over-the-counter protection for your furry friends, as this can prevent an infestation from the start. But, if you think you’ve still fallen victim to a flea infestation, our Pointe Pest flea experts can work with you to rid your home of these nasty parasites. Our treatments target these pests throughout your home and work to not only remove the fleas that are currently present but help prevent any future infestations as well. For protection around your home, our Mosquito Treatments also cover both ticks and fleas, repelling the bloodsuckers from your yard and thereby preventing them from finding their way onto you or your family. It is important to note however… if you have a pet that you believe may be infected with the pests, you’ll want to use our treatments in unison with veterinary treatments for your infected pets for results to be effective (otherwise, Fido or Mittens might continue to bring them back into your home). Stay safe! Stay flea-free!

Citations

Anemia (no date) Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360 (Accessed: September 2020). Fleaborne Diseases of the United States (2020) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/fleas/diseases.html (Accessed: September 2020). The Hidden Dangers of Flea Bites: What to Look For (no date) The Associated Press. Seresto. Available at: https://apnews.com/sponsored/?prx_t=z40EAq48yAniAPA&prx_ro=s&ntv_fpc=671dc30c-79c6-4e77-b41f-040c722e9642&ntv_fr (Accessed: September 2020). Hill, C. and MacDonald, J. (2008) Fleas, Purdue University . Purdue’s College of Agriculture: Entomology Department. Available at: https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publichealth/insects/flea.html (Accessed: September 2020). Pest Control Technology (2021) “The Pest: Alway Looking for an ‘In’,” July, pp. 30–30. Prevention and Control: Fleas (N/A) Illinois Department of Public Health. The Division of Environmental Health. Available at: http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pcfleas.htm (Accessed: May 2020). Tularemia (2018) Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tularemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20378635 (Accessed: May 2020).