Difference between revisions of "Flea Habitat and Control"

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==Habitats==
 
==Habitats==
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Although adult fleas are obligate blood feeders only 5% of the flea population will be on an animal at any one time. The remaining population inhabits the surrounding environment, though they are never far from a potential host species. The population that is not on the host consists of eggs, larvae, pupae and unfed adults. In the environment the adult fleas as well as the other stages are found in 'hot spots' where a potential host animal spends most of its time. These areas are usually warm, shady and humid and therefore usually indoors in regions with a cooler climate. It is common to find large numbers of eggs in areas where cats land after jumping as this dislodges the eggs from the hair.
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Although adult fleas are obligate blood feeders only 5% of the flea population will be on an animal at any one time. The remaining population inhabits the surrounding environment, though they are never far from a potential host species. The population that is not on the host consists of eggs, larvae, pupae and unfed adults. In the environment the adult fleas as well as the other stages are found in 'hot spots' where a potential host animal spends most of its time. These areas are usually warm, shady and humid and therefore usually indoors in regions with a cooler climate.
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*Fleas accumulate in certain '''hot spots''' where the animal spends the majority of its time
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**E.g. Warm, shady, humid ares
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**E.g. Outdoors in warmer climates or inside in temperate climates
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*Very large numbers of eggs are found in areas where cats land after jumping as they have been dislodged
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**E.g. Beside sofas
  
 
==Control==
 
==Control==
 
[[Image:Flea Dirt.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Flea Dirt'' <p> DrZak 2006, Wikimedia Commons]]
 
[[Image:Flea Dirt.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Flea Dirt'' <p> DrZak 2006, Wikimedia Commons]]
 
[[Image:Flea Bites.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Flea bites on a human'' NZfooty 2007, Wikimedia Commons]]
 
[[Image:Flea Bites.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Flea bites on a human'' NZfooty 2007, Wikimedia Commons]]
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Control of flea infestations does not involve only the affected animal as the majority of the population is fee living in the environment. A single treatment or occasional treatment of the animal will provide temporary relief but will not control the issue. In order to properly control fleas, several stages must be followed in order to remove the initial infestation and prevent re-infestation.
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*Single or occasional treatments will only give temporary relief from fleas as the majority of the population is '''in the environment'''
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Flea control must look at eliminating all stages of the flea life cycle rather than just those on the host. Animals must be protected against reinfection from within the home and in the environment.
 
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In the home:
 
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Flea larvae can survive consuming flea dirt and other debris in carpet and upholstery. These areas should be treated with [[Ectoparasiticides]] in the form of sprays or foggers. This should be done in conjunction with regular treatment of the host animal, which will kill hatched fleas as they attack the animal. In the outdoor environment entomophagous nematodes can be used to destroy parasite eggs as this is their food supply.
 
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On the animal:
 
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Adulticide treatments should be used on infected animals, some of these may also have larvicidal effects and so destroy earlier life stages before more eggs can be laid.
 
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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.
 
  
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{{Learning
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*Appropriate action must be taken to stop re-infestation
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|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=%22Flea+control%22&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=50&y=15&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all Flea control publications]
 
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|Vetstream = [https://www.vetstream.com/canis/search?s=flea Fleas]
 
  
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*The animal must be rid of its resident flea population
  
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*The animal should be protected against subsequent re-infestation
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**From within the home
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**From outside the home
  
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{{review}}
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*The environmental reservoir population should be eliminated
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**Animal treatment to deplete reservoir
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***Adulticides
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***Adulticides with larvicidal effects
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***Insect growth regulators (IGR's)
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**Direct chemical treatment of domestic environment
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***Insecticides
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***Insect growth regulators
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***Inorganic chemicals
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***Entomophagous nematodes (These are parasitic nematodes which predate other parasite eggs)
  
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*To prevent resistance occurring, control methods should not rely solely on chemical methods
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**Hygiene such as regular vacuuming and washing of the animal's bedding should also occur for the most effective treatment
  
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[[Category:Fleas|C]]
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*For more information on the chemicals used for flea treatment click
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[[Category:Expert_Review]]
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[[Ectoparasiticides|here]]
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[[Category:Fleas]]
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[[Category:To_Do_-_Parasites]]
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[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]

Revision as of 17:04, 25 July 2010


 This article is still under construction.


Habitats

Although adult fleas are obligate blood feeders only 5% of the flea population will be on an animal at any one time. The remaining population inhabits the surrounding environment, though they are never far from a potential host species. The population that is not on the host consists of eggs, larvae, pupae and unfed adults. In the environment the adult fleas as well as the other stages are found in 'hot spots' where a potential host animal spends most of its time. These areas are usually warm, shady and humid and therefore usually indoors in regions with a cooler climate.


  • 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

DrZak 2006, Wikimedia Commons

Flea bites on a human NZfooty 2007, 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

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