What is the most faithful insect - Hadley Termite & Pest ...



What is the most faithful insect?

Answer - A flea, once they find someone they like - they stick to them! Fleas have been around for millions of years - a fossil flea found in Australia is not significantly different from modern fleas. Different fleas can be found from the Arabian deserts – to the Artic Circle; penguins have fleas which survive the cold by ensuring that their lifecycle coincides with the time when penguins are hatching their eggs!

Siphonaptera is the Latin name for fleas and 95% of these occur on mammals with around 5% occurring on birds. The different species of flea are named after the 'host' on which they are most usually found - cat, dog, hedgehog, bird or rabbit are example of common flea names.

Fleas, in all stages of development, are greatly affected by humidity and temperature. The higher the humidity and temperature, the more the fleas like it. Small wonder that people in our area, even without pets, can acquire a flea problem. Pets may also transport fleas in from outdoors, especially in rural areas, by rolling in areas also used by raccoons, armadillos or opossums.

Fleas are parasites. An adult flea, like a mosquito, has piercing-sucking mouth parts. They feast on the blood of their ‘host’ – animal or human. Flea bites are most common on areas of the body with tight clothing, especially the lower legs & around the waist. The itching of flea bites is caused by an allergic reaction to the flea’s salivary juices injected to keep your blood from coagulating. Gross, huh? People’s sensitivity to flea bites varies; children can have especially severe reactions and so can your pets! The bite is often surrounded by a ring of red, irritated skin.

Flea eggs usually are laid singly or in small groups among the feathers or hairs of the host and are laid in carpets. The eggs are tacked to the fibers by another body secretion of the fleas that acts like glue. Eggs are smooth, spherical to oval, light colored, and large enough to be seen with the naked eye. An adult female flea can produce up to 2,000 eggs in a lifetime.

Fleas undergo complete metamorphosis, which means that they go through four life stages from egg to larvae, larvae to pupae and pupae on to adulthood. If you only counted three stages just now, good for you! The fourth stage is for the adult fleas to lay more eggs. As adults, once they have found a suitable host - your dog, cat, or you, if you have lackadaisical bathing habits - they will remain there until they die. Life expectancy for adult fleas is only about 1-2 weeks. Untreated pets will continue to be bothered by fleas – talk to your veterinarian about what is most suitable for your pet.

Once fleas become established in a home, insecticides are almost always needed to control them. It is extremely beneficial to treat your pets at the same time as your home. Here’s a quick list of how you can help yourself, and your pest control company, get rid of fleas:

- Pick up all toys, clothing, and stored items from floors, under beds, and in closets. This is absolutely essential to allow all areas to be accessible for treatment.

- Cover pet food and water dishes, fish tanks and disconnect tank aerators. Flea chemicals can kill fish.

- Wash (in HOT water), dry-clean or destroy all pet bedding. (If, after washing, you place the pet bedding in the dryer, be sure to empty the lint trap!)

Last but not least - Vacuum! Vacuuming also improves our insecticide's penetration by raising the nap of the carpet or rug so the treatment can get down to into the carpet fibers where fleas live, especially in pet areas! After vacuuming, seal the vacuum bag in a garbage bag and discard it in an outdoor trash container immediately. Fleas can climb out of your vacuum and re-infest your home!

Some adult fleas may be seen for a while, even after the home and pet are treated, because any flea in a cocoon has temporarily “escaped” from treatment; a flea cocoon is resistant to pesticides. Flea pupae will hatch out in about 7-10 days; this is normal and the chemical will kill them after hatching. The pupae are stimulated to emerge as adults by movement, pressure, or heat. Another reason we emphasize vacuuming, the fleas get movement, pressure and heat from the spinning bristles of the vacuum cleaner. An additional application of pesticides will often be necessary as the remaining fleas hatch out.

Don’t get frustrated and don’t give up. Eventually, you can get rid of fleas. There is no quick fix; there is only proper treatment and time. One final thought: How do fleas travel? Itch hiking!

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