Flea Bites

Flea Bites on Humans and Pets

Archives for February 2019

Exterminate fleas from kittens?

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Cats are not exempt from fleas neither is their offspring. Kittens stand the risk of getting fleas from their infested mothers. On the other hand, the same treatments for an adult cat cannot be used for the kittens. If you want to pick fleas out from their fur, make use of flea combs or a pair of tweezers. Keep in mind that, no treatment will work if you do not clean out your entire environment.

The mother cat’s bedding should be kept clean, soaked in very hot water and washed.

Anemia is a serious problem caused by fleas feeding on animals, on newly born kittens, anemia can quickly lead to death. So, inspect their gums to see if they are still pink – which means they still have enough blood – but if you notice that they have turned pale, take them immediately to a veterinarian for treatment.

Next thing to watch out for is their excrement, disgusting as that is, it is the only way to find out if your kittens are infected with tapeworms.  If they are, you will see dried out rice-like tapeworms in their stool.

 Flea treatments for kittens

There are two products available for getting rid of fleas in kittens, they are;

  • Products that kill flea larvae and eggs (Insect growth regulators)
  • Products that get rid of adult fleas.

IGRs are used to clean out fleas from the environment making it a lot safer for kittens and other animals in the house. You can decide on topical or oral treatments after giving due consideration to your pets age and weight. This information will help you determine which product to give to your pet.

Ensure that you never confuse treatments meant for dogs for cats, this can be fatal as dogs are much larger than cats.

Treatments for 4 – week old kittens

There is one product that works very fast in killing fleas on kittens; CapStar will take just 6 hours to get rid of 90% of the fleas. The kitten has to weigh at least two pounds and four weeks.

Capstar will kill off adult fleas for twenty-four hours before wearing off. Before this happens, make sure that your house is free from flea larvae and eggs to prevent re-infestation.

Treatments for eight week old kittens

Eight week old kittens have a lot more products that can kill fleas because they are big enough to withstand the effects of these drugs.

These are some topical products which you can use to treat your flea problem.

Frontline Plus: for kittens older than eight weeks, it has no weight requirement.

Advantage II: kitten has to weigh at least two pounds to withstand the effects.

Revolution: it does not have any weight requirement either.

Treatments for 14-week old kittens

 The best treatment for this age is Comfortis, it is administered orally.

How to Spray Your Home With a Fogger

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If you have looked into fogs, you may question how to spray your home with a fogger. Fogs contain with chemicals and so require extreme care.
These are steps you can take to successfully fog your home and eliminate fleas.

Keep the floors clean by vacuuming the carpets, rugs and upholstery.
Clean the curtains and baseboards with a vacuum hose attachment.
Before using fogs, take away anything that might come into contamination with the chemicals such as the pets drinking and eating bowls.
Mix the chemical thoroughly by shaking and spraying every part of the house, ensure that no area is left without spray.
Every canister of Bio spot fogger can be sprayed within a six thousand feet radius. You can use as many cans as will be enough for the entire house.

Spraying a Fogger in the Home

It is important to follow any directions with the fogger carefully to prevent any potential injury or reaction to the chemicals. If you are uncertain how to fog it is always best to contact the manufacturer. It is very important to ensure you store all foods and water away as any chemicals in the fogger can make you or your pet sick. It is also important to look at the directions for suggestions on how long to be away from the area after fogging. Knowing this in advance can help you to determine where you and your furry friends need to go.

Eliminate Fleas with Salt

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Some wonder if you can eliminate fleas with salt. Chemicals have to be applied everywhere in the house due to the fact that once an infestation begins, the parasites multiply from one to millions in weeks and they spread throughout the home and wherever the infested animal resides.

Eggs and Larvae are seen in shady areas such as under carpets, between cushions, baseboards and pet beddings. To remove them from carpets and rugs, you can vacuum thoroughly but if you want a more effective method, try salting.

How salt works

Salt acts as dehydrating agent. When applied animals infested with fleas and anywhere they are found, they will dry out the insects until it dies off eventually.

How to apply

Salt in the carpet can help with fleas

To eliminate fleas with salt grind sea salt to a powder and sprinkle all over your rugs and carpet, allow for a day or two before vacuuming. Ensure that the bag of dirt is disposed far from the house.

If the infestation is extreme, you mix the sea salt with an equal quantity of Boric Acid. You will find it in the form of Borax. Before application, confirm from the manufacturer if your rug will not wear off under Borax. If you get a positive response, go ahead and sprinkle the mixture all the rugs and carpet but don’t leave it there for longer than two days as salt might attract moisture and leave your rugs soggy, salty and wet.

Flea Bombs, Traps and Sprays

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Some wonder what the differences are between flea bombs, traps, and sprays and we are here to help you find some answers!

Flea Bombs

Flea bombs are what we will look at first for flea bombs, traps and sprays. These are pesticides thrown in various parts of the house to release chemicals that can kill off any parasitic insect around it.

This method seems like the perfect solution to getting rid of fleas because it is so easy to execute but is thought to be an ineffective solution. Flea bombs can only kill off pests around it but those in hiding are alive. The areas left untouched by the pesticide can quickly turn to a safe haven for other parasites.

Next, bombs are rarely used outdoors and even when they are 70% of the surrounding is left. If a flea infestation is to be effectively taken care of , the source (animal and human) and the surroundings are to be clean otherwise they will not be completely clear.

Also, not every stage in the life cycle of a flea is affected by these chemicals, for instance, the adult and pupae are enclosed in a protective cocoon and will go on to infest its surrounding after the application of a flea bomb.

Flea bombs use chemicals that are harmful to humans too. If they are put to use to get rid of fleas, its residues can contaminate foods and lead to food poisoning.

These are very good reasons why a pest control expert is the best solution.

Flea Traps and Sprays

These are traps solely to trap fleas, but they come with a flaw. They can only trap adult fleas and those still in cocoons are left to fully develop. Traps are not totally useless though, they can monitor fleas, to find out if a place is home to the insects.

Chemical sprays and traps are very unreliable, the best methods to gaining control over flea attack is by making use of these multifaceted and integrated techniques and products;

  • Vacuum cleaners can remove every flea in any stage from furniture, carpets, mattresses and pet surroundings.
  • Insect regulators are used to prevent the full development of fleas. It stops them from completing their life cycle.
  • Every home owner should be made aware of flea habitats and behavior.
  • Pets are hosts for fleas and so to make sure that they remain free from these parasites, their bedding and everything around it should be kept clean.
  • Finally, every pet owner should consult their veterinarian first before purchasing any pet product used to control fleas and groom the animals.

It is not advisable to take on the extermination of fleas personally or privately. A professional should be your first solution when these pests are making your home theirs.

Fleas in Bedding

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Fleas in the bedding are never pleasant. One of the easiest ways for fleas to enter a home is through pets when they roam outside. Once the animals are inside the house, they shake off their fur unwittingly transferring the bugs into the house.

The pests spread quickly around the home, attaching themselves to any host available.

Parasitic insects can infest any part of the home especially those hidden areas that are dry like inside mattresses, underneath carpets and inside cushions. They have proboscis that allows them to pierce surfaces like those. 

How fleas infest bedding and furniture

Fleas on bedding

Normally, every parasite requires a host to live out its entire lifespan, however they can lodge themselves on beds in order to feed on the occupants or they fall off their host’s bodies into the furniture and surrounding.

If the beddings left untouched and dirty, fleas would continue to multiply rapidly until the house becomes overrun with them.

The most likely stages around the home are eggs, larvae and pupae since they do not require a host to survive and are largely inactive. They can be seen on pet bedding, under cushions or and shaded area in the house.

Signs of flea’s infestation on pet and human bedding

  • They leave behind small oval-shaped blotches on bed sheets, this is more noticeable on light colored materials.
  • Pets constantly scratching themselves due to the bites and suddenly jumping away from their beds.

How to exterminate fleas from bedding

  • Sundry every mattress and pillow suspected to be infested with fleas, do this for days until you are certain that fleas are gone.
  • Fleas thrive in shaded areas; they die off quickly when exposed to high heat. This is why hand washing is not recommended if fleas are to be exterminated properly from beds, machine wash every sheet, blanket and pillow case and transfer to a dryer immediately after.
  • Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up dirt and fleas from the carpets and rugs. Ensure that the shady areas are cleaned out. Afterwards, dispose of the dirt far from home to make sure that fleas do not attack your house again.

Tackle Pet Flea Infestation

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Halt the flea life cycle

It is important to tackle pet flea infestation. For you to stop the flea life cycle, you should always treat your yard and your home, including your pet. Flea prevention products like sprays and insecticides kill only the fleas living on your pet. They do not have the capacity to kill flea eggs in your yard and home.

Cat flea life cycle

To make your home flea-free follow the steps outlined below;

Start a flea prevention campaign

Ensure that flea prevention and pet care is an essential part of your care routine. Getting rid of fleas regularly prevents these insects from living on your pet permanently. Make use of a flea prevention substance that can protect your pet for a month. This is important for regular flea protection.

Ensure all pets in the house are properly treated

Wash and clean your pets with a flea spray and shampoo. Also make use of a tablet flea to get rid of fleas.

Kill all fleas at home

Ensure you spray your home regularly with the help of an insecticide to kill the fleas and larvae. This helps to break the flea life cycle. You should also repeat same every four weeks. For serious infestation, make use of foggers these can keep the fleas away for four months in a stretch.

Get rid of fleas in the yard

To tackle pet flea infestation ensure you get rid of fleas, larvae and eggs in your yard, and all around your house to stop new intruders from coming into your house. Not doing this can allow the fleas to spread to your house.

Types of Fleas

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Flocks of Fleas

There several types of fleas found in the United States. These fleas feed on humans and are capable of transmitting diseases. The different species of fleas include:

Dog fleas: this is a rare species of fleas that prey on dogs alone like the name indicates.

Cat fleas: this is a very common species and it preys on dogs, cats, humans and even wild animals.

Human fleas: These types of fleas love to feed on pigs and human beings.

Sticktight fleas: these fleas live on birds, likes squirrels and domestic poultry.

Chigoe fleas: commonly known as sand fleas, they feed on people living close to tropical beaches.

Rat fleas: known to spread very serious disease, they feed on roof rats and northern species feed.

All variety of fleas can transmit different types of infections, from murine typhus to plague and cat-scratch disease to mention a few. They bite humans and animals mostly pets and these bites can trigger reactions. They also have the ability to lay plenty eggs which means the flea infestation sometimes could become uncontrollable.

Popular Cat Fleas

Cat fleas are the most common species of fleas that cause the most problem for house owners. They can live on a large variety of host compared to other types of fleas. Asides domestic animals such as cats, dogs, and human beings, they can live on wild animals like opossums, raccoons, and foxes.

Also different from other species of fleas, cat fleas reside on their hosts even after feeding, laying eggs and mating. These eggs then fall off pets and move on to carpets, beds and furniture.

Flea Control

Vacuuming and deep cleaning can help to get rid of these pests and their eggs. Using washing machine to wash your fabrics with hot water can also help to get rid of these fleas. In addition you should endeavor to dispose of contaminated bedding and other materials from the house. Visit a vet for help if your pets are infested.

Understanding the Flea Life Cycle

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Understanding the flea life cycle is the first step to getting rid of them. There are few things one has to take note of when you want to get rid of fleas and pets from the house. Top of the list is understanding the flea life cycle.

The flea life cycle consists of four different stages.
Egg
Larva
Pupa
Adult

A typical flea life cycle can take from a few weeks to several months to complete. This is depending on the humidity and environment. Fleas usually thrive in conditions with temperature ranging from 70-85 degree Fahrenheit with humidity of about 70 percent humidity. Let’s take a brief look at the four stages in the flea life cycle to get a clearer understanding.

Flea Eggs

This is the first stage in the flea life cycle and occurs when a female adult lays eggs. This happens in the aftermath of a blood meal from its host (which in most cases is usually a pet). Blood is an essential requirement for reproduction in adult fleas. Flea eggs are typically white, and they are very small. A female flea can lay as much as 40 eggs every day.

These eggs tend to fall off pets as they move. This allows them to spread throughout the environment where these pets are found. Statistics reveal that the flea eggs account for about 50 per cent of the whole flea population in your house.

Diagram showing life cycle of flea illustration

An egg can develop from between two days to about two weeks depending on the conditions they find themselves. For cold and dry temperatures it can take a lot longer. If the temperature is warm and humid, flea eggs will hatch a lot faster.

Flea Larvae

Larvae usually cannot see and therefore will avoid coming in contact with light. They grow by consuming pre-digested blood commonly referred to as flea dirt. This is passed down from the adult fleas in the environment.
A flea larvae is about 0.25 inch in length and they are also white in some cases almost transparent in color. The flea larvae makes up about 35% of the total flea population. In the right environment, it will take about 5-20 days for the flea eggs to hatch, and move on to the next stage of the flea life cycle.

Flea Pupae

This stage makes up about 10% of the entire flea population. This is the final developmental stage in flea development before it matures to becoming an adult flea. The cocoon serves as protection for the adult flea before the adult itself comes out. If the conditions are not perfect for development of the adult, the cocoon shelters the adult for months and even years before the adult can develop.

This is usually because of the sticky outer coating that these cocoons have. It allows them to hide inside your carpet for long without being spotted and isn’t removed easily by sweeping or vacuuming. In addition, the cocoon protects the adults from chemicals. Adults do not emerge unless the presence of a host is made available. This is as a result of vibrations, body heat or increasing levels of carbon dioxide.

Mature Fleas

Adults begin to feed on their host few hours after emergence and start to breed few minutes after they have consumed their first meal and lay eggs some days after. Although female fleas cannot lay eggs unless they have fed on blood meals.

Adult fleas are flat-bodied in appearance, tiny and are usually dark colored. After feeding on the closest pet they come in contact with they start to look lighter and appear larger and begin to look more like a flea. These adult fleas make up below 5 percent of flea total population. They usually spend most of their days feeding off a host during which they eat, breed and start to lay eggs. They can survive on a host for several months.

Getting rid of fleas

You can make use of the knowledge you have now of fleas and how they breed to get rid of fleas in your environment. Clean your environment thoroughly by vacuuming and washing your bedding in steaming soapy water helps get rid of the eggs, larvae or pupae. It is always important that you seal of and remove the vacuum bags once you are done cleaning.

You can also hasten the development of the flea pupae with the use of a humidifier and also an increasing room temperature. As soon as all the hidden pupae have been developed ensure that they all gotten rid of properly.

You can use of cat flea and tick shampoo, sprays, dog flea and tick shampoo, dips, prescription flea and tick, spot-on medications or treatments from your local veterinarian. If you have any questions or concerns, especially in regards to your pet’s health or age, your veterinarian can help you make the best decision for treating your pet.

It is very difficult to get rid of fleas, however, ensure you are observant and make use of the right chemicals, ensure you do this in a very safe and secure way. Remember to concentrate on areas fleas stay a lot around the house.