Fleas(Order: Siphonaptera)
Description: Adult fleas range from 1/25" to 1/3" long. Dark, even black in color and when viewed head on, have a very narrow body. The body is covered with spines which enables easy ;movement and inhibits easy removal from the host.
Developmental Biology: An adult female will lay a few eggs a day until 200 to 400 have been laid. The eggs can be laid on the host or on flooring, carpets, upholstery etc. Hatching will usually occur within 7 -14 days. However, some fleas may not emerge form the pupa for months or even a year later. Fleas pierce the skin and suck the blood from hosts for survival. They have very powerful legs that enable the flea to jump over 7" vertically and over 14" horizontally.
General Behavior: Fleas can inhabit the inside as well as the outside of a home. The cat flea, for example, prefers dogs or cats as a host. But it will attack humans. Fleas prefer areas with dust, debris, or sand. Temperature(70-85 degrees) and humidity (70%) is the desirable environment that enables the flea population to explode.
Method of Infestation: Fleas will locate a host such as a dog, cat, rodent, or wild game etc. in a nearby nesting area. The population will expand and eggs will be dropped continuing the population in variously new areas. Fleas can be transported from the outside into a home via pets, pants, or just plain "jumping" inside from an infested area.
Management: First, the management of a flea infestation involves an inspection. A professional pest control technician will inspect the inside, as well as, the outside of the premise. Infested areas may include pet bedding, upholstery, carpets, etc. Next, the harborage areas should be treated with a solution. Pets or people should not come in contact with the treated areas until it is completely dry. Finally, a follow-up and maintenance service should be established discouraging future re-infestations.
