What Are Fleas?

Fleas are skin parasites affecting all mammal species, including humans. They feed on their host’s blood, causing discomfort and irritation. Severe infestations of fleas in pets may lead to anemia, especially in young or unhealthy animals. Additionally, some animals can experience allergic reactions to flea bites.

Beyond being irritating, fleas transmit bacteria and parasites such as Mycoplasma haemophilus and Dipylidium caninum, an intestinal worm.

Flea Life Cycle

Fleas develop through four distinct phases:

• Egg
• Larva
• Pupa (cocoon)
• Adult

Only adult fleas live on the host animal; other stages exist in the environment.

After jumping onto their host, adult fleas feed within 24 hours. Twelve hours later, females begin laying up to 50 eggs daily. Eggs fall into the environment, hatching into larvae that feed on organic debris. Larvae molt three times before becoming pupae. Within their cocoon, they mature into adult fleas, ready to infest new hosts.

The duration of the flea life cycle depends on temperature, humidity, and season. Under ideal conditions, it can be completed in two weeks. Adult fleas may survive several months on a host and up to a year in cocoons awaiting favorable conditions.

Diagnosing a Flea Infestation

Diagnosis involves finding adult fleas or flea dirt in your pet’s fur. Flea dirt appears as small black particles that turn red when wet and crushed between fingers.

How to Eliminate Fleas

Eliminating fleas requires a combined approach:

• Treatment of the pet
• Environmental control

Environmental Control

Regular vacuuming of carpets, floors, and furniture is essential to reduce larvae and egg populations. Dispose of vacuum bags immediately outdoors to prevent reinfestation.

Specific insecticides can be applied indoors to eliminate eggs and larvae. However, due to their potency, all occupants—including pregnant women, young children, and individuals with respiratory issues—must leave during treatment.

Treating Your Pet

Pet treatment involves several steps:

• Administer oral medication to quickly eliminate adult fleas.
• Apply monthly systemic treatments for at least 4 months (up to 6 months in severe cases) to eradicate remaining eggs and larvae.

All household pets should be treated, even if they show no infestation signs.

Preventing Fleas in Pets

To prevent infestation, pets with outdoor access should receive monthly preventive treatments from spring through autumn. However, even indoor pets are at risk, as fleas can be brought indoors by humans or other animals.

We recommend consulting our veterinary team to choose the most effective and safe product for your pet.

Need advice? Contact us today!