Facts For Finding Frustrating Fleas: Can You See Fleas?

Fleas are a type of common parasite that usually preys on cats, dogs, rabbits, and even humans; they feed on the blood of their host.

Fleas can easily camouflage themselves in reddish-brown or brown pet fur. They can reproduce quickly and cause an infestation that could affect your pet's health.

The symptoms of a flea infestation can begin after a day or two, because they will quickly start feeding on your pet's blood. Their bites cause itching.

If you pet is constantly itching or grooming a certain area of their body, chances are likely that they may have a flea bite. A flea's life cycle can be divided into four parts, which include: Egg, flea larvae, pupa, and adult. As flea eggs are hatched, the larvae immediately begin to feed on the blood of their host.

The key element in a flea treatment or flea control is, in fact, the very nature of fleas. They are always looking for new hosts.

Flea eggs can easily roll off one host and infect another human or pet in the same environment. Once they reach maturity, those fleas will lay eggs and continue the cycle. There are certain environmental conditions that particularly favor fleas and ticks.

Such pests thrive in warm environments. Fleas can live much longer in warm environments; cool and dry environments tend to shorten fleas' life cycle.

Despite today's technological advancements, current treatments and remedies that combat flea infestations still fall short of eliminating both adult fleas and their larvae. So, that can make the process of treating a flea infestation very difficult. For example, you would have to rely on other help outside of medical treatments alone.

When it comes to dogs and cats, the pest control goes beyond basic pet maintenance, cleaning, and care. You would have to get rid of towels, sheets, pet bedding, and any other removeable elements of the environment that may have come in contact with fleas.

It's also very important to understand that fleas and flea eggs can live without blood for a long time.

Even if you or your pet show no signs of fleas, it's possible that you could catch fleas again from any unwashed or compromised item, whether it be a piece of furniture or a carpet. So, employing a pest control method is important when it comes to an infested house.

If you are enjoying this article, why not also read about can fleas fly and how do flea collars work here on Kidadl?

Can you see a flea on a human?

Yes, fleas can be seen on humans. There are various signs that will reveal a possible flea infestation affecting a person. Flea bites cause constant scratching, so that is one common symptom that accompanies a flea problem.

There are a number of ways to figure out if you really have fleas or if it's just your dandruff. When it comes to a dog or cat, the pet's fur can be seen crawling with fleas or flea feces (also known as flea dirt).

When it comes to humans, the tried-and-true method of checking your scalp for fleas or just looking for flea feces can identify a flea infestation.

Another way to distinguish flea feces, or flea dirt, is by soaking your hair and head in water.

If the water turns a reddish-brown color, then you know for certain that you have flea dirt in your hair. Check if you can see any flea eggs, and know that any red bumps on your scalp could likely be symptoms of flea bites.

It's critical to clean all surfaces on which fleas may be living. Start with your house; vacuum the carpets, wash infected clothing, and clean the furniture.

Your yard may be the originating point of infection, introducing the pests into your home. Although fleas are tiny, they can leave a trail of skin bites that may prompt you to seek medical treatment or try a few at-home flea treatment remedies. There are numerous ways to get rid of fleas.

The most crucial key is patience. Yes, flea bites are annoying, but what can be even more annoying are flea eggs and cocoons that are missed by your flea comb.

The most natural and effective way to being treating your house is to wash all bedding, even including your pet's bedding. Your main goal should be to control the spread of fleas from infecting your entire home.

Keep a close eye on your furniture, carpets, and other commonly used items for about 21 days. It usually takes that long to eliminate a community of fleas.

There are many home remedies that can kill adult fleas and even remove flea dirt from your scalp and hair. For example, using baking soda or other natural ingredients are safe and harmless.

If you ever notice small black specks that resemble black pepper, know that is actually dirt left by adult fleas and needs to be removed. Flea bites can cause a lot of irritation and may leave tiny red bumps on your skin. Stay patient while treating these!

The best flea treatment is generally a chemical solution. These solutions work by eliminating or directly killing those tiny specks that are fleas. However, you may also want to handpick the individual flea eggs to combat the infestation.

As previously mentioned, your yard can be the originating flea source. It's important to inspect your yard.

You can jump right in and immediately begin carefully evaluating the area. It is very possible to have an entire yard full of fleas. If your yard is frequently visited by wild animals, make sure to remove any debris they leave behind in order to prevent an infestation.

Frequent lawn mowing is also recommended. It is suggested to locate where adult fleas could be accumulating and prioritize those zones with an effective treatment.

How do I know if my dog has fleas?

Fleas in dogs or cats are fairly common. Very often, your furry friends can come home scratching with fleas after socializing with other animals or pets.

A flea infestation can be very easy to identify, especially if it is affecting your pet. Flea bites can leave your dog agitated or very itchy.

You may notice your dog vigorously scratching a particular body area. In such a case, you may want examine your pet's skin and look for any signs of flea bites, tiny black specks, larvae, or flea eggs.

Thick pet fur can make that process difficult, so you can always rely on your pet's constant scratching as a surefire symptom of a flea infestation.

There are a number of ways as to how your pets come in contact with such pests, with the number one being their involvement with other animals that host these pests. Or, they may have caught fleas from your yard.

If you notice any red bumps under your pet's legs or at the base of their tail, it is recommended to check their entire body for flea bites. If your dog suddenly begins losing hair, it's time to seek veterinary treatment.

One excellent and crucial method of treating dog fleas is to use a flea collar. Flea collars are very commonly used among pet owners. Your pet will also need newly washed bedding and carpets.

Skin that is very dry, red, or inflamed can be a sign of severe irritation as a result of vigorous scratching. Make sure to care for your pet's skin too! Flea bites can really affect your dogs and make them agitated.

Some pets also have flea allergy dermatitis, which can stimulate a real allergic reaction, even it's just from a single flea bite on the skin of your pet. It's important to pay extra attention to the skin of your cat or dog as fleas lay eggs rapidly; this pest can lay around 50 eggs per day!

Because of that, regular vacuuming is an important home maintenance strategy that will help control the infestation.

It also helps to keep from them falling on your carpet, sofa, or bed.

It's recommended to wash your carpet in hot water as this pest can lay its eggs deep in the fabrics of the material. It's also important to cure the fur of your dog as soon as possible, because fleas can easily spread and eventually cause dog tapeworm.

Did you know that fleas can jump? They are excellent jumpers; this pest can easily jump from one pet to another at any time, whether it be during a walk or hanging around a park.

Fleas can jump up to 7 in (17.78 cm) vertically! That is one characteristic that can explain why flea bites and infestations are such a regular issue among pets.

Can I get fleas if I don't have pets?

Yes, because fleas can live on humans too. Even if you don't make contact with any animals, fleas can still find their way to you. Remember, they can jump distances of up to 150 times their size, so even a remote contact with an infected animal or person can be enough to chance exposure.

Because fleas can survive without their host for months, especially in the larvae stage, you still have a risk of becoming infested with them. You could be living without any pets or animals in your home; if you come in contact with an infested environment, you can have a greater chance of having to deal with an infestation.

On an interesting note, particular types of fleas that may infest your dog or other pets cannot survive if they try to infest you. However, they can definitely leave many flea bite marks behind.

It's crucial to understand that fleas that bite or live on your pet cannot live in your hair. Human fleas are different. There is only one species of human fleas called Pulex irritans, and it can be transmitted to you by an infected person, object, or environment.

What are the signs of a flea infestation?

Flea infestation is very common considering fleas can survive in very harsh conditions; they are able to live for months without feeding on anything. The most common sign is itching, which can be caused by the sensation of crawling fleas.

Sometimes itching occurs as a reaction to flea bites. As fleas multiply very quickly, you will likely be able to catch one within three to four days of the infestation. Or, you can find fleas using a flea comb after taking a bath with hot water.

The signs and symptoms may vary according to whatever was infected, whether animal or human. Itching is the main symptom many medical professionals emphasize. Within days, you'll probably catch an actual flea so that you can confirm the problem.

Just remember: Itching, flea dirt, and red bumps are all signs that point back to a possible flea infestation.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for can you see fleas, then why not take a look at when do fleas come out, or Flea Facts?