Flea Habitat and Control

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Habitats

  • Only approximately 5% of the flea population will be on the animal at any one time (and usually it is a much smaller percentage)
  • The rest of the population are in the environment
    • E.g. Eggs, larvae, pupae and unfed adults
  • Fleas accumulate in certain hot spots where the animal spends the majority of its time
    • E.g. Warm, shady, humid ares
    • E.g. Outdoors in warmer climates or inside in temperate climates
  • Very large numbers of eggs are found in areas where cats land after jumping as they have been dislodged
    • E.g. Beside sofas

Control

Flea Dirt - Wikimedia Commons
Flea bites on a human - Wikimedia Commons
  • Single or occasional treatments will only give temporary relief from fleas as the majority of the population is in the environment
  • Appropriate action must be taken to stop re-infestation
  • The animal must be rid of its resident flea population
  • The animal should be protected against subsequent re-infestation
    • From within the home
    • From outside the home
  • The environmental reservoir population should be eliminated
    • Animal treatment to deplete reservoir
      • Adulticides
      • Adulticides with larvicidal effects
      • Insect growth regulators (IGR's)
    • Direct chemical treatment of domestic environment
      • Insecticides
      • Insect growth regulators
      • Inorganic chemicals
      • Entomophagous nematodes (These are parasitic nematodes which predate other parasite eggs)
  • To prevent resistance occurring, control methods should not rely solely on chemical methods
    • Hygiene such as regular vacuuming and washing of the animal's bedding should also occur for the most effective treatment
  • For more information on the chemicals used for flea treatment click here