FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Fleas are parasites that are wingless and these tiny pests feed on the blood of both animals and humans.
Fleas like warm, humid climates with temperatures about 75 F(23 C). Flea activity decreases during the chilly winter months compared to the warmer months, yet it does not totally disappear.
They will infiltrate your home through the animals in your yard like deer, rats, and pets such as dogs and cats. Seek vet advice to protect your pets. Fleas prefer any animal host, but if they can't find any, they'll survive by biting people. Female fleas will feed on a pet's blood, mate, and deposit eggs within 24-36 hours, so they will stay indoors as long as possible to take advantage of the warmer climate and easily available food source. For up to three months, they may lay up to 50 eggs every day.
If you like this article, you may find it interesting to read these fun-fact articles: Why do gnats fly in your face and why do horse flies bite.
Fleas are most active in the evenings and least active in the daytime. Movement, egg production, and respiration all increase at nightfall. Fleas are never totally dormant. They lay eggs and generate excrement at all hours of the day.
Fleas prefer warm conditions, but they may survive in both lower and warmer temperatures. Fleas are most abundant in many states throughout the spring and summer, or from May to September. Salt, like baking soda, is an excellent natural flea home treatment when used in conjunction with vacuuming. Salt works as a dehydrator which is used to treat adult fleas.
Fleas prefer to hide in cracks and crevices. Their populations are more abundant in areas where they may eat and breed undisturbed such as pet beds and living rooms. They also thrive in upholstery, furniture, and other typical home items, particularly in places where they can keep warm.
Summer's rainy weather, along with average heat and humidity, has created ideal circumstances for an increase in flea and tick infestations. During the summer, heavy rains and large storms are prevalent, and this moist climate can actually encourage fleas to grow.
While some people believe that rain would wash away or bury fleas lurking in the grass, this is not the case, making flea prevention even more vital to safeguard your dog. These pests proliferate fast and represent a severe health danger not just to your pet but also to you and your family.
Rain has a detrimental influence on growing fleas, and it can even kill them. The water dissolves and washes away larval food. Severe rainfall can physically harm early stages of flea development, and if the soil becomes saturated, larvae can drown. Immature fleas, on the other hand, prefer to live in sheltered micro-habitats where they are shielded from the impacts of rain.
Fleas flourish in temperatures of 70–85 F (21-29 C) with a humidity of 70%. Therefore, they may seek refuge in warmer surroundings when the weather gets cooler. They may slow down a little when it gets chilly outside, but they may still be active and go through their whole life cycle indoors. In the winter, your home provides a perfect habitat for fleas to thrive.
When the temperature becomes cold, fleas don't hibernate or become dormant. While they cannot live in extreme cold for lengthy periods of time, they are opportunistic and will seek out a host in a warm environment and stay for as long as feasible.
Cold temperature doesn't kill flea eggs, they just slow down the life cycle. Flea eggs can emerge at any time of the year.
Fleas like warm, wet environments to live and breed, so an infestation is generally worst in the summer. January and February are the worst months for warm temperatures in any country. While flea activity decreases throughout the winter, it does not totally cease. During the winter months, the warmth of your house offers an excellent habitat for fleas.
Spring and summer, or from May through to September, is the most common flea and tick season in many states. The flea and tick season lasts all year round in the southern and southwestern states. Fleas and ticks, as well as their eggs, are killed by extreme heat. From September through November, fleas disappear.
Fleas can be eliminated by making efforts to manage them at each stage. Fleas and their eggs, on the other hand, may be found in pets like cats and dogs and in your yard on the backs of deer and other animals. Because the months of December through February are perhaps the least parasite-infested, many pet parents may resume flea and tick prevention in March or April when the temperature warms.
It aids in the comprehension of the flea life cycle. Fleas lay a lot of eggs as adults. These eggs may fall from your pet and scatter throughout the house. These eggs will develop into small larvae when they hatch. It's difficult to notice them since they're so tiny. Larvae can be found in a variety of places in your house, including furniture, flooring, and pet beds. They'll spin a cocoon there. When they reach adulthood, they emerge as adult fleas, and the cycle begins all over again. Steam clean your carpet if you have a significant flea infestation. The heat will kill the fleas, but not all of the eggs will be destroyed. It's possible that they'll hatch later, and you'll have to steam clean again.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for when do fleas come out then why not take a look at why do crickets chirp, or mayfly facts.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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