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Centocephalides
felis
Characteristics –
Size: Tiny insects measuring about 1/6-inch in length and
are laterally flattened.
Color: Reddish brown.
Their flat shape allows cat fleas to easily pass between the hairs
of animals. The cat flea is the species involved in most home
infestations and will attack both cats and dogs. It is usually
carried into the home by a pet. Once inside, large populations can
build up quickly.
Behavior –
One female flea can lay about 18 eggs a day and just 20 fleas on a
dog can produce 360 eggs per day and over 2000 eggs in a week. After
the home is treated, it may take up to two weeks or more before
fleas are no longer seen. The reason for this is that flea pupae are
unaffected by the treatment until the adult fleas emerge from their pupae
cocoon. In any flea population, all stages of the flea will be
present including numerous pupae. It will take several weeks for all
adult fleas to emerge from these pupae and contact the treatment.
Vacuuming as often as possible after the treatment can speed up this
process because it stimulates adult fleas to emerge from their
cocoons.
Habitat – Fleas are ecto-parasites of animals,
meaning they live on the outside of the body and need to feed on the
blood of these animals in order to produce eggs. Because fleas
usually feed and lay their eggs while the pet is sleeping, the pet's
resting areas are where the most fleas will be found. Many pets
acquire fleas outside in the yard. Research has demonstrated that
urban wildlife, such as raccoons and opossums, are commonly
responsible for introducing these insect pests onto residential
properties where the pets can encounter them.
Tips for Control – Controlling a flea
infestation successfully requires four steps:
 | Preparation
for treatment. |
| Treatment
of pets. |
| Treatment
of the inside premises. |
| Treatment
of flea activity sites outside. |
Obviously,
the pet is critical to minimizing flea infestations and regular
grooming helps to limit fleas on the pet. For this reason, customers
need to keep the pet groomed and treated with on-animal flea control
products.
Step One. Any flea treatment will be less effective if the home is
not prepared properly by completing the following steps:
| Remove
all items, such as toys, clothes, and pet food from all floors.
|
| Remove
all items from under beds and in the bottom of closets.
|
| Wash
or replace pet bedding. |
| Vacuum
all carpets and rugs thoroughly, including beneath beds and
upholstered furniture. |
| Clean
all wood, tile, and linoleum floors by sweeping and mopping.
|
| Clean
concrete floors with soap and water in the garage, basement, or
enclosed patio where pets rest or stay. |
| Remove
all pets including birds and reptiles. Cover fish tanks with a
damp towel and turn off the air pump. |
| Replace
any pet bedding outdoors and make all shaded areas, crawl
spaces, etc. available for treatment. |
| Arrange
to be out of the home for several hours until the treatment has
thoroughly dried. |
Step Two. The homeowner needs to arrange for treating the pet. A
number of on-animal treatment products are now available. Treatment
of pets should be done under the direction of a veterinarian.
Step Three. In homes that have an active flea infestation, a
residual treatment combined with an insect growth regulator should
be applied. A professional, like Curtis Pest Control, can best
accomplish this treatment by using specialized equipment. Efforts
should be focused on the areas where pets rest or sleep. These are
the sites where the most fleas will be located.
Step Four. Outside, treatment should be applied to shaded areas and
beneath shrubs and decks where pets rest or sleep. Again, a
professional has the right equipment to provide this treatment
effectively.
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