Fleas
Fleas
Fleas are famous as the tiny creatures, microscopic even, that infect our pet dogs and cats and force them to itch uncontrollably; anyone who owns a dog or cat will undoubtedly have had an experience with fleas, as it is practically impossible to stop these tiny parasites from taking up residence on your beloved pet’s hair.
Despite common belief fleas on dogs are different creatures to fleas on cats or, indeed, to fleas on humans; while one will jump from a cat to a dog it will not survive for very long, hence treating each animal individually is essential. Getting rid of fleas can be a time consuming exercise, and you can be almost certain that there will never only be one infestation of fleas. A cat that goes out into the neighbourhood, for instance, is bound to catch them from other cats in the area, and dogs likewise.
Fleas are, in fact, quite remarkable creatures which have fascinated scientists and biologists for as long as we have been aware of them; measuring no more than a little over 3mm, and often much less, fleas have a quite remarkable ability to jump more than 200 times their own body length, an achievement enabled by specially designed back legs which are made for the purpose. Contrary to many tales they cannot fly, and it is by jumping that they move between hosts.
Killing fleas is a problematic concern; it is nigh on impossible to catch a flea with the fingers, and even when it has been caught it is difficult to crush such a small animal, hence there are a number of insecticide treatments for dogs, cats and humans – make sure you have the right one for each may be dangerous to another – that are made to deal with the flea problem. Also advised is vacuuming, as in the case of the dust mite, for fleas will undoubtedly be present on soft furnishings and other household items present in the average home, and there are also pest control services that will try and eliminate the creatures from your home.
It is common in those who wish to use home remedies to obtain Borates, and this is known to kill the flea eggs at source. All of these methods should be treated with caution, however, for the use of potentially dangerous chemicals and substances is not something that should be done without first making sure the correct diagnosis has been made.
Fleas on Humans
Fleas on Humans – Often confused with Bed Bugs
We tend to think of fleas as creatures that our cat or dog brings into the house, yet fleas on humans are also a frequently observed problem. Whereas fleas on cats and fleas on dogs cause the animal discomfort and, by biting us, cause us to suffer in a mild way, it is important to understand that these are different species from the same family; the human flea will not live on cats and dogs, and cat and dog fleas – although they can live on either – will not live on humans, merely bite us and leave us with a nasty itch.
Fleas are practically ubiquitous, that is they occur everywhere, and are also very resilient indeed; they have developed over many millions of years to become among the most prevalent parasites in the world, and are a constant source of embarrassment and annoyance to us and our pets.
We know when we are suffering from human fleas as the irritation is more pronounced; a bite from a cat or dog flea will leave a mark and not recur, whereas bites from human fleas will occur in many places, all the time.
What is interesting to know is that it is very likely the carpets, bedding and soft furnishings of a house are likely to harbour more human fleas than we are, as they live in these places and emerge to feed – on our blood.
In fact, the human flea has undergone a great deal of evolutionary changes in its lifetime, and is now able to live on other animals; in particular it is partial to pigs, and human flea infestations are common among pig farmers as the parasites can jump a great distance and leap from pig to man.
It is important to keep young children away from fleas as they are more susceptible to allergenic reactions than adults, and flea bites can induce such a reaction in some cases. Flea bites can, if left to get out of control, result in exaggerated skin infections, and thus require treatment.
There are many ways of killing fleas, but rest assured that catching them is impossible! Vacuuming the house – particularly soft furnishings and bedding – will remove eggs, and there are many different sprays and other treatments that can be readily bought. There are also professional pest control services that will remove fleas, but it is perhaps the best form of treatment to keep you cat and dog well powdered with flea treatment, and to keep a close eye out for the tell tale bites on your own body.
