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Flea and Tick Prevention

All About Fleas

Fleas are insects and belong to the order Siphonaptera which means “wingless siphon.”
There are over 2,000 species of fleas around the world. Fleas are important because of their direct effects on animals (and people) and because of the diseases they can transmit.

Flea Anatomy

Their body is divided into three parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. They are around 2-8 mm long and are equipped with fantastic jumping ability due to the size of their last pair of legs. Fleas have no wings. The most noted flea characteristics are their medium brown to mahogany color and laterally flattened body. They are slightly smaller than a sesame seed. Their eyes and antennae detect heat, vibration, carbon dioxide, shadows, and changes in air currents, all of which indicate a possible meal is nearby.

What Do Fleas Eat?

Fleas, both male and female, feed on the blood of animals. They can go several months without a meal.

Treat the Environment When Attempting to Get Rid of Fleas

Two days (or more depending on temperature) after the egg is laid the larva hatches and starts to feed on the feces left by its mother.
The larva passes through several phases of development in about a week and starts spinning a cocoon called a pupa. The cocoon is sticky and will often become covered with fine dirt or sand. As a result, it and can be found deep in carpets or crevices.
In a week, the pupa develops into an adult and emerges from the cocoon when it senses vibrations, carbon dioxide, or warmth, which tell it an animal host is near. The entire life cycle takes about 15 days, but the pupa can remain dormant under inhospitable conditions (e.g.; cold) and extend the cycle to over a year. This is important to remember when planning flea control.

What Symptoms are Caused by Fleas and how is a Flea Infestation Diagnosed?

Flea bites may be unnoticeable on some pets, but cause slight irritation in others, and produce severe itching, red lesions, hair loss, and even ulcers in a third group. The severe lesions are caused by a hypersensitivity to the flea saliva and called flea allergy dermatitis.
Large numbers of fleas can cause anemia, especially in puppies and kittens. If the anemia is severe, death is a possibility.
You can see whether there’s a flea infestation by looking for ‘flea dirt’ (described above) on the animal.
The best places to use a flea comb to detect fleas is around the hindquarters and head of your pet. These same areas should be examined for the ‘flea dirt.’ After using the flea comb, transfer any debris found on the comb to a piece of white paper toweling and moisten it.If the ‘dirt’ dissolves into a red color, it is ‘flea dirt’. There is a selection of some of our top selling products later in this page.

What Diseases Do Fleas Transmit?

  • Dipylidium caninum, a type of tapeworm
  • Haemobartonellosis, a disease which affects red blood cells
  • Dipetalonema reconditum, a parasite
  • Plague caused by Yersinia pestis
  • Typhus caused by Rickettsia typhi
  • Tularemia caused by Francisella tularensis

Some of the More Common Fleas Include:

  • Xenopsylla Cheopis is known as the rat flea and is the carrier of bubonic plague. Known as the ‘Black Death’ in the Middle Ages, bubonic plague killed 200 million people. The name “rat flea” implies that rats are the preferred host, but the flea also lives on people, dogs, and cats.
  • Echidnophaga Gallinacea is also known as the Tropical hen flea or the sticktight flea. It is mainly a flea of birds, but will also feed on other animals.
  • Pulex Irritans is the human flea. This flea also infests swine, and occasionally dogs and cats.
  • Ctenocephalides Felis is the domestic cat flea, but it actually prefers dogs. This is the most common flea that affects dogs and cats.
  • Ctenocephalides Canis is the common dog flea. Despite its name, it also feeds on humans, cats, and other animals.

What is the Life Cycle of Fleas?

There are four stages in the development of fleas: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Male and female fleas mate and two days later the female flea starts laying eggs. The eggs are often laid on the animal, but because they are not sticky, fall off into the environment.
Along with the eggs, the female flea deposits a large amount of feces (often called ‘flea dirt’). The feces, or flea dirt will dissolve into a red color when moistened because it is primarily digested blood. The flea can lay 30-50 eggs in a day, generally in batches of 3 to 15, though she will not lay eggs every day. A flea can produce 400-1,000 eggs in her lifetime (several months to two years, depending on the species).
In just thirty days, 25 adult female fleas can multiply to as many as a quarter of a million fleas.

Shop for Treatment & Medication

Advantage II for cats and dogs

Advantage II for Dogs is used in the treatment of adult fleas, flea eggs and larvae. The main ingredient is imidacloprid, a topical solution that collects in the oils of the skin and in the hair follicles. The product is available for cats and dogs.

NexGard Chewables

NexGard Chewables are a brand new, revolutionary flea and tick preventative from the makers of Frontline®, one chew protects for 30 days.

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Spray

Kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks and repels mosquitoes. Protects for up to two weeks.

Bravecto Topical Solution

Bravecto Topical Solution kills adult fleas, prevents flea infestations, and kills ticks. It works fast, stays strong, and provides long-lasting protection.

Bravecto Chews (for dogs)

Bravecto Chews are a convenient and tasty medication delivery treat, that kills fleas, prevents flea infestations, and kills ticks for up to twelve weeks

Vet-Kem Home Spray

Precor® IGR stops flea eggs and flea larvae from developing into adult fleas for up to seven months (30 weeks)

Perfect for carpet, rugs, upholstered furniture and pet bedding