Fleas

Ranging in size from around 1 to 3mm when fully grown, fleas are a common pest commonly affecting household pets like cats and dogs. Cat fleas and dog fleas are wingless insects that have strong legs, allowing them to jump to a height of 6". They are usually black, brown, or red in color and have strong mouthparts that allow them to pierce skin and suck blood from their hosts.

As stated earlier, fleas are blood-sucking insects. They are also classified as parasites, living on host bodies and depending on their hosts for sustenance and survival. After each meal, female cat fleas and dog fleas lay eggs. They can lay up to eight eggs each time, for a grand total of anywhere from 400 to 800 over the course of their lives. Eggs are laid directly on the host's body or in its bedding. After 10 days of incubation, the flea eggs hatch, and flea larvae feed on adult flea feces, which contain small amounts of blood until they are big enough to feed themselves directly from a host. The life cycle of fleas from egg to adult can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a full year, depending on the conditions. Fleas without a host die very quickly, but those with a host can live a full 12 months.

Fleas make use of their mouthparts to pierce through the skin of their hosts, such as cats and dogs, and suck out blood. They can have their first blood meal within just a couple of days of becoming adults. Cat and dogs are common targets of fleas, but it is possible for these insects to feed on other animals like rats or raccoons, and they can suck human blood too.

In order to remove fleas, pest control experts need to work together with their customers. The affected animals will need to be treated to remove the fleas on their bodies, but their bedding will also need to be cleaned and treated, and the entire home will need a thorough cleaning to get rid of any loose larvae, pupae, or food materials from the fleas.

After cleaning, any vacuum cleaner bags or containers need to be disposed of or cleaned in hot, soapy water to prevent the fleas from getting back in. The pet will need to be treated on the same day that the home is treated with insecticide in order to fully eradicate the flea population.

Over-the-counter products aren't a good option for dealing with fleas on their own, as they may simply repel the fleas and cause them to scatter all around the building, making it even harder to get rid of them. If you are looking for commercial pest control in Toronto or the surrounding area, contact pest control experts first to plan an effective eradication strategy.

How to get rid of fleas in house?

The house will need to be thoroughly cleaned and insecticide products will need to be used to get rid of any trace of the fleas, including larvae and pupae that may be in areas like cat or dog bedding or carpets. Pest control companies can help with this process.

Can dog fleas live on humans?

Fleas can't live for long on humans and will usually die after just a few days, but they are able to bite people and do damage. Flea bites can be very itchy and unpleasant to deal with.

How long does it take to get rid of fleas?

This depends on the severity of the problem. Minor flea problems, treated early on, can be resolved in a matter of days, while severe flea infestations can take longer to fully eradicate.