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ALL PEST INC.
18383 North Harbor Road
Adams Center, NY 13606
(315) 788-PEST, (315) 482-PEST, (315) 298-4882, 1-800-577-PEST
FLEAS
Fleas are one of the most common parasites of humans and their domestic animals. There are many species of fleas, but by far cat fleas are most often encountered by pest management professionals. Cat fleas prefer to feed on cats and dogs, but readily feed on the blood of humans, rodents, and livestock as well, especially if a preferred host animal is not present.
All fleas undergo complete metamorphosis: egg→larva→pupa→adult. The life cycle of the cat flea begins with a female flea laying eggs, usually on the host animal. The eggs are not sticky, and fall off the animal in areas that the animal habituates such as lounging and sleeping areas, eating area, etc. Dogs often shake violently after sleeping, spreading eggs in all directions. The eggs hatch into larvae in two days to a week or more. Flea larvae are small, active, legless, maggot-like creatures with chewing mouthparts. They feed on all kinds of organic matter but thrive when they can feed on the feces of adult fleas. Larvae also tend to be concentrated into areas frequented by the host animal and often deep in the pile of carpeting making them difficult to observe or to remove by vacuuming.
Over the course of one to eight weeks, the larvae go through two molts and then spin a cocoon to pupate. The pupae develop into mature fleas in seven to fourteen days. Many adult fleas emerge from pupation at maturity but others do not emerge for several months to one year later, lying dormant. These late-emerging fleas wait for signals that a host is nearby, such as warmth, carbon dioxide, or mechanical signals (e.g., vibrations caused by hosts walking). This explains why returning vacationers or people moving into a new home previously infested with fleas are suddenly besieged by fleas within an hour or two of their arrival. Newly emerged adult fleas have only to obtain a blood meal, mate, and begin the life cycle anew.
It is important to remember that adult fleas make up only one percent of the total flea population; 99 percent of the population is composed of eggs, larvae, and pupae. Therefore, control efforts should target all stages of the flea life cycle.
Although the pest management professionals at All Pest Inc. possess the knowledge and chemical tools to provide superior flea control, clients should understand that they must perform an important and active role in the eradication of the infestation. Flea infestations generally cannot be eradicated by chemical means alone; other control measures are also necessary, and are the responsibility of the client.
“Committed to protecting human health and the environment.”