Appearance:
Fleas are reddish-brown in color. They
are wingless, blood-sucking insects. Their bodies are laterally
compressed (flattened side to side) permitting easy movement through
the hairs on the host's body. Their legs are long and well adapted for
jumping. The flea body is hard, polished, and covered with many hairs
and short spines directed backward. The mouthparts of an adult flea are
adapted for sucking blood from a host.
Size:
Fleas are small at only about 1/6-inch long.
Behavior:
Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of their hosts, which are
normally humans or pets. They have powerful legs that enable them to
jump approximately 7 inches vertically and 14 inches horizontally. The
female flea lays tiny, white eggs loosely on the hairs, in the
feathers, or in the habitat of the host. The eggs readily fall off the
host onto the ground, floors, bedding, or furniture. Some fleas can lay
500 eggs over a period of several months.
Habitat:
Several species of fleas cause problems in Florida. The cat flea is the
most frequently found species, but dog, human, and sticktight fleas are
also present. Fleas may attack a wide variety of warm blooded animals
including dogs, humans, chickens, rabbits, squirrels, rats, and mice.
They are most often brought into the home on pets from outside.
Health Concerns:
Fleas, or an animal they have infected, can transmit bubonic plague.
Thirteen cases, including one death, were reported to the Center for
Disease Control in 1994. Another 7 cases, also including one death,
were reported in 1994.
Control:
Do you live in Southern California and think that this pest may be invading your
home? Trump Pest Control offers specialty treatments
designed to control and eliminate this pest!
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(877) 270-2847 Office (877) 962-3794 Fax
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