Zainab Ilyas

· 14 Nov 2021

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What Do Fleas Look Like?

You may have a flea infestation if your pet scratches itself more than normal or you see red, itchy spots on your lower legs. But how can you be certain? What are the characteristics of fleas? We detail the appearance of fleas, their origins, their bites, and how to cure flea bites and infestations.

What do fleas look like?

Fleas are wingless parasitic insects with slender bodies that range in color from brown to reddish-brown. Despite the fact that they don't have wings, they can leap enormous distances to travel from one host to the next. Their bodies are coated with hair to help them bond with their hosts and glide comfortably beneath their fur or hair. Fleas are generally 2.5 millimeters long, making them difficult to distinguish from one another. Fleas will most likely be the first thing you notice on your pet.

The most common domestic flea is the cat flea, although canine fleas are also frequent in houses and on pets. Cat fleas infect not just cats, but also dogs, other animals, even humans.

Where do fleas come from?

Fleas are most often the result of your pet picking them up while outside. Fleas prefer wet, shady environments, so if your pet spends a lot of time outside in one of these regions, the fleas are likely to have come from there. Raccoons, squirrels, rats, and feral cats may all carry fleas, so if you don't have pets, one of these stray animals could be the cause.

What do flea bites look like?

You may be asking, "What do flea bites look like?" now that you know the answer to "What do fleas look like?" Flea bites on humans appear as little red pimples with light-red haloes. Flea bites are likely to develop in a random pattern on your lower legs and feet an hour after being bitten, as opposed to bed bug bites, which form in a straight line and appear days to weeks after being bitten.

If you're not sure if you've been bitten by fleas, search for indications of a flea infestation in your dog or cat. Flea bites on pets show as raised red spots (smaller than regular bug bites), but due to your pet's hair, they may be difficult to spot.

The simplest method to tell whether your pet has flea bites is to look for signs of fleas and the symptoms of flea bites listed below:
If your cat has been attacked by fleas, you may notice raised, red bite marks all over their body.

Redness—If your pet is allergic to flea bites, he or she will have an allergic reaction, which can cause redness. Hair loss, inflammation, and skin illnesses like flea allergy dermatitis can all result from severe responses to flea saliva.
Persistent irritation—Some pets may be susceptible to flea saliva and experience intense itching all over their bodies after only one bite.

When pets scratch their flea bites, the bites can get infected, resulting in little pustules.

How to treat flea bites on humans

•    Wash the bite with soap and warm water.
•    Apply an antiseptic to the bitten area and an ice pack.
•    Because allergic responses to flea bites are prevalent, use calamine lotion to the bite to alleviate redness and itching.
•    Antihistamines should be discussed with your pharmacist or doctor if you're suffering significant itching.
Do not scratch flea bites, no matter how itchy they are. They are often infectious and can leave scars on your feet and legs.
How to treat flea bites on pets
•    To get rid of any leftover fleas, give your pet a wash with lukewarm water and a carefully prepared pet shampoo.
•    Using a towel, dry your pet.
•    To remove any leftover fleas, use a fine-tooth flea comb to brush your pet's fur. Fleas should be removed from the comb and disposed of with soapy water.

•    To prevent fleas from emerging and ease itching, use a prescription-strength spot medication or a steroid cream prescribed by a veterinarian.

How to get rid of fleas

Fleas reproduce quickly—female fleas may lay over 2,000 eggs in three months. So getting rid of them as soon as you identify a problem is critical.
Here are some ways to get rid of fleas at each of their four phases of life.

EGGS

Multiple fleas will hatch in the coming weeks if flea eggs are not adequately eliminated. Flea eggs are transparent oval specks with a diameter of 0.4 millimeters. Flea eggs resemble dandruff or grains of salt and are not to be mistaken with brown flea filth, which is a symptom of flea feces.

Here are a few options for getting rid of flea eggs:

•    All pet bedding, blankets, cushions, and toys should be washed in hot, soapy water and dried on high heat. If you suspect that fleas have spread throughout your home, you should wash all other linens, blankets, and pillows. This will get rid of any eggs or fleas that are still present.
•    To get rid of eggs and developed fleas, give your pet a wash in warm water and use a flea shampoo.
•    After cleaning your pet, use a fine-toothed flea comb to remove any leftover eggs. Flea ointment should also be applied to your pets' fur to prevent fleas from producing additional eggs.
•    Vacuum around your house—Use a water-based model vacuum to vacuum your carpets (where flea eggs are most prone to become lodged) and sofas on a regular basis. Each time you vacuum, toss the bag aside. Not only will this get rid of flea eggs, but it will also get rid of flea filth.

•    Use an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) flea spray—To treat carpets and furniture, choose between a natural or chemical IGR spray.

Larvae

Flea larvae, which appear like small white worms with pale-colored hairs, hatch from flea eggs. To preparation for the pupal stage, they largely consume flea soil. Here's how you can get rid of flea larvae:

•    Clean your pet—Use a pet-safe shampoo to bathe your pet. Before rinsing, massage the shampoo into a lather with warm water. Any flea larvae on the fur will be drowned.
•    Wash pet bedding/human bedding—Throwing pet bedding and human bedding in the wash can drown flea larvae in hot water and soap.
•    Make your own flea remover by mixing one part baking soda with one part salt and sprinkling it over your carpet. Flea larvae in your carpet will become dehydrated and die as a result of this. Allow the mixture to sit on your carpet overnight before vacuuming it the next day, being sure to empty the vacuum bag outdoors after you're done.

Pupae

Flea pupae are little, sticky, water-tight cocoons that seem like they belong in your carpet. Flea larvae are developing into adult fleas at this stage. Pesticides and insect growth regulators won't kill fleas inside the pupal shells, but there are alternative mechanical options. Here's how to get rid of flea pupae effectively:

•    Vacuum carpets, rugs, floors, and furniture to remove pupae and facilitate the hatching of new fleas (which can then be treated with other removal methods). Place the vacuum bag outside to be disposed of.
•    Encourage fleas to hatch out of their shell by vacuuming and cleaning around the house, as pupae may be tough to remove. Fleas will hatch as a result of the warmth and vibrations created by these actions. You can use pesticides to get rid of the remaining adult fleas once the fleas’ hatch.

Adult fleas

Apart from vacuuming your floors, cleaning your bedding, and bathing your pet, there are a few more things you can do to get rid of fleas in your house:
•    Use food-grade diatomaceous earth, which includes tiny algae remnants that cut through the exoskeleton of fleas, causing them to dry up and die. This powder should be sprinkled on your carpets and other flea-infested surfaces. To protect the safety of little children or pets, make sure to get food-grade diatomaceous earth.
•    Use a flea fogger as a last resort—this is a chemical approach that should only be used in extreme cases. A flea fogger releases poisonous gas into a room, killing fleas and other insects. Follow the fogger's directions to the letter. Turn off all lights, cover all kitchen utensils and countertop appliances, store all food in airtight containers, cover your furniture, open inside doors, and seal windows before using a fogger. To avoid inhaling any dangerous substances, everyone in the home must vacate while the fogger is operating.
•    Engage the services of an exterminator—
•    Depending on the amount of your infestation, even using the recommended eradication procedures, getting rid of fleas may be challenging. Engage the services of a pest control expert. 
#fleas
#pets
#eggs