Little Creek Veterinary Clinic

Freaky and Fun Flea Facts

Magnified flea.
Photo by Little Creek Veterinary Clinic.

Did You Know?

• Fleas lay eggs in your pet’s fur; then the eggs roll and drop off into the carpet, onto the furniture, or outdoors.
• Squirrels, opossums, raccoons, stray dogs and cats can all carry flea eggs into your yard.
• Fleas can hatch in as little as 2 or 3 weeks, or they can wait for several months and spring themselves on you and your pets when you least expect it.
• After they feed and mate, female fleas begin laying eggs within 24 hours.
• Each female flea produces 40 to 50 eggs per day — which adds up to hundreds of eggs in days or possibly thousands of eggs, given enough time. One pair of fleas can infest your home with their offspring!
• Don’t forget the cat! Many households are infested because of untreated cats that act as reservoirs for fleas. While you’re picking up flea control for the dog, make sure to buy some for your cat, as well.
• Common household spots for hatching flea eggs and squirming larvae include: in pet beds, under furniture, deep in carpets.
• Outdoors, fleas like to hang out in shady, undisturbed areas like porches, decks, stairs, and doghouses.
• Young fleas go dormant in our winter climate and emerge as adults as the weather warms up.
• Fleas carry Tapeworms. If your dog or cat swallows a flea while grooming itself, it can get Tapeworms.
• Cats that have fleas can carry Bartonella henselae – the bacteria responsible for Cat Scratch Disease.

So, how can you control flea infestations at home? Try these methods:

• Treat all dogs and cats in the household. Ask about safe treatments for other furry friends like ferrets, rabbits, chinchillas, rats, etc. Not all products are suitable for pocket pets. When in doubt, check with the manufacturer.
• Indoors, vacuum regularly. Lift and move furniture for a thorough cleaning.
• To treat carpets and upholstery, try a safe product like Fleabusters Rx for Fleas.
• Wash pet bedding and people bedding routinely.
• Keep baseboards and nooks and crannies clean.
• Eliminate weeds and brush piles; keep the lawn mowed.
• Keep rodents away from your home.
• Treat your yard with outdoor flea control products.

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Information for this article was adapted from the Companion Animal Parasite Council and dvm360.com.

This article was originally posted on Aug. 22, 2014.