Fleas are among the most challenging pests to get rid of. They are difficult to detect because they can spend almost all their time on your pet’s body and stay hidden under its coat. Once you notice them and identify the source of the infestation, you may not know what they look like and how to get rid of them. They’re small insects that feed on blood, so they tend to bite pets behind their ears or other places where hair isn’t as thick. According to PetMD, adult fleas have black bodies with red eyes and a pair of wings that are either yellow or purple along with six long legs that enable them to jump high up from their host when threatened. Keep reading for more information about what a flea looks like!
What Does A Flea Look Like To The Human Eye?
A flea is an insect that has a strong back leg that helps jump. It is hard to see it with human eyes because of how small they are, but they do look like tiny white dots. When playing with your dog, you might notice little white dots moving around, don’t panic, it’s just little fleas jumping around. They are so small that you can’t even feel them bit your body.
What Does a Flea Look Like When it Has Just Been Born?
- Fleas go through four life cycle stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
- The flea has three main developmental stages: the larval stage, the pupal stage, and the adult stage.
- During the larval stage, the flea feeds on any available organic matter in the environment.
- The larval stage is followed by the pupal stage, during which the flea generates its cocoon.
- The adult flea emerges from the cocoon after feeding on blood.
- Fleas are very good at hiding, and you might only see them when they’re just born. This is when they are easiest to spot with the naked eye.
- Luckily, there are many signs of an impending flea infestation that you can watch out for.
What Does A Flea Look Like When It Is Adult?
- Adult, A flea as an animal is a wingless, flattened, almost worm-like parasitic insect that is oval and bilaterally symmetrical and which feeds entirely on the blood of mammals and birds.
- It is largely responsible for spreading epidemic typhus from rodents to humans. Occasional hosts of adults include bats, dormice, elephant shrews, guinea pigs, lemmings, prairie dogs, porcupines, squirrels, and xenarthran (anteaters).
- Adult fleas are 2-3 mm long with a laterally compressed body; covered with setae (long fine hairs); have no wings or thorax or legs, and have a widened head which they use to attack their host.
- They also have powerful chemoreceptors on their antennae that allow them to detect carbon dioxide in the blood of a host at distances of 50 mm; this triggers approach behavior in immobilized fleas although some experts dispute that they actually do emit such volatiles until they begin feeding externally.
- They are gray-brown mottled with black spots and are more heavily pigmented than nymphs.
- Their bodies are pear-shaped ((dorsally flattened however they must flip over during copulation as there aren’t genitals on the underside.)) and particularly adapted
Where Do Fleas Come From?
- Fleas get into your home from the surrounding area. Wild animals are a major source of flea infestations, meaning that if you’re having an issue with fleas, it’s a good idea to take steps to exterminate any wild animals who may be passing them on.
- You may need to take measures to prevent pests in your area from entering your home. Keeping all outside doors in your home closed is a start, along with keeping pet doors shut as well.
- Be sure to remove debris and tall grass around your house and property so that animals can’t easily spend time in that area.
- If you do have a problem with wild animals living around the property, contact an exterminator like Right Hand Home Wildlife Control for help.
- Fleas can also be caught from someone else’s pet or even from visiting other people who have pets for this reason it is important that all possible flea-controlled precautions are taken within the home environment or even allowing visitors with dogs (or cats) into our premises without putting appropriate flea prevention plans in place as soon as possible.
How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Pets?
Bleach Baths
If you’re lucky, you may be able to get rid of fleas on your cat or dog with a good ol’ bleach bath. You will need to mix a solution of water and bleach to create a dip for your pet. Make sure to always follow the instructions on the bleach container as well as a veterinarian’s advice on the correct amount to use. After you have created your bath, you will want to put your pet in it and make sure that they stay there for the right amount of time. The right amount of time is dependent on the age and size of your pet. A bleach bath is a great way to get rid of fleas on your dog and cat, but it isn’t something you can do often. If you use bleach baths too often, it can cause serious damage to your pet’s skin and internal organs.
Flea Combs
Flea combs are a great way to get rid of fleas on your dog or cat. They are easy to use and are best done once a week. Flea combs are perfect for any hair length and are gentle enough to use on pets of any age. Flea combs are also a great way for kids to practice taking care of pets. To use a flea comb, you want to start from the end of the pet’s fur and then comb your way towards their head. Make sure to go over the entire surface of the pet’s body, and be sure to lift the fur as you comb. Flea combs are a great way to get rid of fleas and will allow you to check for ticks as well.
Flea Drops and Shampoos
If you find that you have fleas on your cat or dog and they don’t go away with a bath, you may want to try flea drops and shampoo. Flea drops are a good choice if your pet has fleas on their skin. Flea drops go into your dog’s or cat’s bloodstream. Flea shampoo is great for getting rid of fleas on your pet’s fur. Flea shampoos are a good choice for short-haired animals. Flea drops and shampoo come in different forms and can be bought at any veterinarian’s office or pet store. You want to make sure to read the instructions and follow them exactly. If you use too much of the product, it can cause damage to your pet.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a great natural, chemical-free way to get rid of fleas on your pet. Diatomaceous earth is made up of the skeletons of tiny aquatic creatures called diatoms. You can use diatomaceous earth in the garden to get rid of fleas on your pet. It’s best to use food-grade diatomaceous earth to get rid of fleas. Diatomaceous earth works by dehydrating the fleas and sucking out their oils. It also will kill ticks. You can sprinkle some diatomaceous earth on your pet’s bed and around their house to keep fleas away. You can also use it in their food and water to keep them safe and healthy.
Dryer Sheets
Dryer Sheets are a great natural and cheap way to get rid of fleas on your pet. You can place dryer sheets in your pet’s bed or around their house. Dryer sheets work by repelling fleas and keeping them from getting into your home. Fleas don’t like the smell of dryer sheets and will stay away from it. Dryer sheets are a cheap and effective way to get rid of fleas on your pet. Be sure to place the dryer sheets in areas where your pet sleeps or plays. You want to make sure that your pet doesn’t ingest the dryer sheets or it can cause serious damage to their stomach.
Conclusion
If you are worried about fleas, it’s best to inspect your pet regularly for signs of infestation. Get in the habit of checking for fleas each time you groom your pet. This way, it will be easier to spot them earlier, and you can start treatment as soon as possible. When you’ve found fleas on your pet, be sure to take action quickly to prevent an infestation from spreading.
