FLEAS - TREATMENT AND CONTROL
What pests do you have loitering around your property? Here’s some tips to spot those pesky fleas.
FLEAS - WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE
Fleas are yellow and brownish parasites that have thin oval bodies and no wings. To the human eye, they look like a dot – however, they can measure from 1 mm to 2.5 mm in length. Fleas take on the appearance of an oval abdomen, tiny head and six legs with the back legs being longer than the others.
Behaviour
The most common way fleas are introduced to your environment is through your pets who picked them up from being outside. Since fleas are wingless parasites, they use their long back legs to jump from one host to another. The ends of their legs act like strong claws so they can attach themselves on a host to pierce the skin and feed on the blood.
Do you have a flea infestation?
- If your pet is excessively scratching themselves, check your pet’s coat for flea droppings, flea eggs and fleas itself.
- Also check your pets bedding for flea droppings, these should look like tiny black specs.
Treatment
The secret is a dual approach, treat not just your pet, but also your home.
- Wash your pet’s bedding using the hottest possible wash setting.
- Vacuum all the floors, carpets, rugs and sofas regularly and thoroughly.
- Remember to empty your vacuum cleaner and dispose of the bag after each use to prevent eggs from hatching inside, which can lead to another flea infestation in the future.
- Clean all of your dog’s or cat’s soft toys. Your pets’ beloved squeaky plush can harbour flea eggs and larvae. If these toys can’t be washed, they may have to be thrown away.
