Fleas have been around since the time of the dinosaur, I am sure the saber tooth tiger and the woolly mammoth got their share. We know that fleas have been around because they have been found in fossils. So let's just say that they have been around for a LONG time.
Although fleas are famous for biting us and our pets, they are somewhat infamous for the disease that they spread in the 14th century. The disease is commonly referred to as plague or the black death. The disease started in parts of Asia and was transmitted by the oriental rat flea. As infested animals and people moved in ships and along trading routes the plague was spread across Europe.
Fortunately, with medicines today, the plague, bubonic plague, can be treated and often cured with antibiotics.
Most often when our dog brings home a flea, or one makes its way into the house, it is a cat flea. It is somewhat ironic that the most common type of flea found on dogs, is the cat flea, isn't it? The cat flea does not carry the plague, so that's one good thing!
What is the flea's interest in our pets or in us? One thing really. Blood. Yep, they're like little vampires with pogo sticks. I say pogo sticks because as you may know a flea does not fly, it jumps and it can jump several inches. Both adult flea sexes require blood to survive but more importantly (to them) to reproduce. And an adult female flea can lay from hundreds to two thousand over her lifetime. The thing about flea eggs, is that they are not sticky so if your pet has flea eggs on her, they will just fall off wherever. Since each female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, you can accumulate quite a collection very quickly. The flea has four stages to its life cycle, after the egg there is the larva and then the pupa. The pupa emerges from a cocoon as an adult flea.
There are some annoying characteristics of the pupa stage. Annoying to us, not the flea. First, the pupa stagger the emergence of the adult flea, even if they are the same age. This wouldn't be so much of a problem except that insecticides and other control measure do not affect the pupa stage because the cocoon provides protection from these attacks. So even after you think your all clear, its possible a pupa or two or fifty will start supplying you with a whole new herd of adult fleas.
Now for the good news. Yes there is good news. You can beat the fleas with a little strategy and a few weapons. First, a common way to interrupt this cycle is to use a insect growth regulator (IGR). An \IGR will prevent exposed eggs and larva from maturing into adults, so no adults means no new babies! No new babies means no new adults, so no fleas! Plus since IGRs affect the growth cycle the flea, they are very safe for us and our furry friends. Another safe item is diatomaceous earth but it needs to be food grade. This naturally occurring powder will dry out the exoskeleton of the flea, killing them. This powder can be sprinkled around the house where ever you think you might need it. This can also be used outside with an IGR to reduce any infestation in the yard. But make sure the IGR you use is safe for the environment.
Now one last item. After you take care of the larva and eggs growth, you still have to knock out the current adult population, even though they probably only account for one percent of the total flea population (according to Novartis), its potentially an itchy one percent. You can treat the areas for adult fleas with frequent vacuuming; this way you get the little buggers as the emerge from their cocoons. You may need to vacuum daily for a couple weeks. You will also want to wash bedding, rugs, etc. and spray areas where the pet sleeps and rests with an IGR.
So attack on all fronts. Its a battle that can be one with patience and the right tools.
| David Stewart http://www.shetland-sheepdog-station.com |
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