Flea Habitat and Control

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

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