Fleas ... the Timeless Pest BACKGROUND BIOLOGY
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NOV/DEC 2 0 0 5 N P M A L I B R A R Y U P D A T E UpdateInsert this update into the NPMA Pest Management Library, which can be purchased from the Resource Center. Phone: 703-352-6762 fax: 703-352-3031 Fleas ... The Timeless Pest BACKGROUND BIOLOGY Fleas are obligate blood-feeding Fleas have a complete life cycle ectoparasites mainly of mammals which including an egg, three larval belong to their own Order of insects, the stages, a pupal stage, Siphonaptera. There are about 2,500 and an adult (male different named species, but no more than or female) stage. about 20 species are common or wide- Eggs take one spread biting pests of people, pets or to12 days to hatch; companion animals. By far the most larvae require one to two common urban pest flea in North America weeks to develop through their is the Cat Flea, Ctenocephalides felis three stages (instars); and pupae (Bouche). They are usually the species usually need four to 14 days to found pestering dogs and humans, not just develop into adults. Under harsh cats, as their common name implies. This conditions, the pupae can go into a species is fairly typical and will be used here diapause state and require nearly a as the example for discussing the general whole year to complete biology, behavior, habits, and control development. Fully developed adults strategies for all urban pest fleas. (within their pupal cocoon) have been Fleas are the primary vectors of reported to delay emergence for up to bubonic plague and have had a 20 weeks. In good conditions of 55 to 80 tremendous impact on European and percent relative humidity (RH) and o o o o world history through that action. They about 60 to 90 F (15 to 32 C), one life also transmit other important pathogens cycle can be completed from egg to and parasites of humans and pets. Their adult in 15 days, but usually takes saliva has recently been determined to closer to three weeks (21 days). Under cause serious Flea Allergy Dermatitis in pets marginal conditions, one generation and their debris has been reported to can often require at least 40 days; and cause similar allergic reactions in humans. could take as long as six months to be Their biting can cause serious discomfort, completed. After a long diapause period, pain, itching, and unsightly bite marks. new adult fleas can be stimulated by vibrations (like a host walking nearby) to along paths those hosts routinely travel. N P M A quickly emerge from their cocoon and very Eggs can often be found in cracks or actively seek a blood-meal host. Adult cat crevices in floors or near the base of the L I B R A R Y fleas can jump six inches (15 cm) or higher fibers of any rug-like materials they may be U P D A T E vertically, and they crawl very rapidly in. The larvae move about similarly to how toward a suitable feeding spot once they fly maggots move, and they eat whatever make contact with a potential host’s fur or organic matter is available. Flea larvae clothing. Cat flea larvae will die if they are seem to need at least some of the partially- kept in moisture levels of less than 45 digested blood from within the feces of percent RH, or more than 95 percent RH; adults of their same species to develop and they will not develop at temperatures properly. Adult fleas’ fecal matter below 55o F (13o C) or above 95o F (35o C). containing such partially digested host Adult fleas have piercing-sucking blood usually falls from the host into the mouthparts, feed only on blood, and same sites as the eggs fell into before. That usually remain on their host all the time means the larvae will grow well only where unless they are physically dislodged or they the hosts frequently rest or at least are die. Larvae have strong chewing often present. mouthparts and feed on any organic Cat fleas have been reported to infect debris they can find in their location. Of humans with plague, murine typhus, and course, eggs and pupae do not feed. certain tapeworms. Large populations of Female fleas must mate and then take a fleas can contribute to serious discomfort, blood meal to produce eggs. Each female can contribute to secondary infection due may lay four to eight eggs after each to their hosts’ scratching bitten sites, and blood meal, and may feed every day or their feeding may contribute to, or even two; producing 400 – 500 eggs in her adult cause, serious anemia in young or small lifetime, which is typically six to 12 months host animals. long. Fleas’ smooth, round eggs are laid It may not be necessary to have pets directly in the host’s fur or hair. They are (dogs or cats are the usual suspects) in or not sticky, so they tend to fall down to the near any given building to have cat fleas host’s bedding or onto nearby surfaces as (or other flea species) present. Fleas can soon as that host moves or shakes very readily be carried from infested places into much at all. That causes the eggs to formerly uninfested settings on shoes, pant accumulate wherever their hosts rest or legs, or blankets. Many species of fleas will readily feed and survive well or alternate hosts if their primary hosts suddenly die, are removed or excluded, or leave. Cat fleas are often found in urban settings infesting various urban wildlife; especially opossums, raccoons and skunks. On many occasions, more than 20 adult cat fleas have been removed from a single live-caught adult opossums or raccoons. Larval cat fleas can develop well in the dens of such wildlife which are under, or next to, a house. INSPECTION A thorough inspection of the suspected infested area should be conducted. While fleas are small and can “jump” quite far, a well lit room or using a powerful flashlight in the suspected areas may help see the adult fleas. Some inspectors prefer to slip on white athletic socks to better see fleas N P M A L I B R A R Y U P D A T E that react to vibrations and other evidence FLEA MANAGEMENT of a possible host. Care should be taken by the customer The industry has seen a shift in control to inspect domestic animals such as family strategies in the past ten years. Previously, pets for signs of adult fleas, open bites, it was common practice for all flea and localized irritation of certain parts of management measures to be administered fur. In severe cases, pets such as dogs may by the pest control company. With the scratch until fur is compromised or is worn. development and marketing of flea This may create areas of thinning fur. products by the veterinarian, it is common Common areas to inspect include any for pet owners to depend on their areas which animals or humans frequent in veterinarian for control measures. Such the home. These include living space, control measures include drops or pills bedrooms, and pet resting and feeding administered to the animal. These products areas. A thorough close inspection should may be purchased from the vet or over the be made of bedding. One area commonly counter, depending on the product. The overlooked is the influence of wild animals active ingredient varies but may include on flea infestations. Wild animals, such as imidacloprid, permethrin, lufenuron, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, skunks, fipronil, and methoprene. These products roaming dogs, and even feral cats may go by the trade names of Front Line, Front drop eggs in areas around houses. These Line Plus, Program, Advanced Care and eggs hatch, develop, pupate, and become others. Flea collars are also commonly used hungry adults. In warmer climates, it is with varying degrees of success. Due to common to find flea infestations under marketing, registration pressures, and decks, around structures, and even in other factors flea control products basements or garages that are frequented including shampoos will vary in availability. by such animals. At one time, there was a general Infested sites should be documented thought that the flea control business was or identified for control measures. Unseen totally lost to the veterinarians. History has areas such as nap of carpets and shown that even though some products upholstery may contain eggs and/or larvae administered by homeowners may impact and pupae so not seeing live fleas adjacent the flea business of pest control to infested areas should not preclude companies, the market is strong in most control measures. areas. Companies must communicate that flea control may be performed by their company since this generation of pet owners may not be aware that flea control is possible from any venue other than veterinarians and over the counter. One factor which may contribute to N P M A homeowner failure at control is the movement away from broadcast L I B R A R Y applications to carpets, historically used for U P D A T E fleas and other pests. Similar to bed bugs, fleas have benefited from pest management shifts to baiting, direct animal treatment, and crack-and-crevice treatments for control of insect pests. For the professional, a regimen of cleaning animal areas, washing bedding in hot water, thorough sanitation improvements, restricting pet movements to focus on most interior will help. Commonly, floors should be vacuumed and the bag discarded. These sanitation steps SUMMARY require the participation of the customer and define an integrated approach to flea Fleas are common and dangerous management.