Cat fleas

Cat Fleas   (Centocephalides Felis)

The cat flea is the species most involved in most home infestations.
Cat fleas will attack cats and dogs alike and is usually carried in by an animal.
Infestations build up quickly.

Charactersistics

1/16 inch long
Reddish brown
Cat fleas are laterally flattened, allowing them to move easily through  the hairs of animals
Fleas are covered in spines and piercing mouthparts
Powerful legs allow them to jump 7-8 inches vertically, and 14 – 16 inches horizontally
Carrier of disease organisms and parasites to human and animal hosts

Habitat

Fleas are ectoparasites of animals meaning they feed on the blood of an animal to produce eggs
Fleas live on the outside of an animal
Fleas feed and lay eggs when the animal is sleeping, so where the animal sleeps is where you will find fleas
Fleas are acquired in the yard

Diet

Larvae feeds on organic debris, particularly the feces of adult fleas, which contain undigested blood

Reproduction
One female flea can lay about 18 eggs per day, just 20 fleas on a dog can produce 360 eggs in a day and 2000 eggs in a week
Eggs hatch in 7-14 days
Fleas nest their eggs in the ground, upholstery, carpet and bedding

Treatment for fleas has 4 steps :

Preparation for treatment
Treatment of the animal
Treatment of the inside premises
Treatment of flea activity sites outside

Step One : Preparing for treatment

Remove all items from the floors, under beds and closets
Wash or replace bedding
Vacuum thoroughly all carpets and rugs, under beds and upholstered furniture
Clean all wood, tile, and linoleum floors by sweeping and mopping
Clean concrete floors with soap and water where pets rest or play
Remove all pets, including birds or reptiles, cover fish tank with a damp towel and turn off the air filter
Replace any pet bedding outdoors and make all shaded areas, crawl spaces, etc. ready for treatment
Arrange to be out of the home for several hours until the treatment has dried thoroughly

Step Two : Treatment for the pet

A number of on-animal treatments are now available, all treatments should be done under the direction of a veterinarian

Steps Three and Four :

Call a pest control service to arrange for treatment.  The chemicals are better handled by a professional exterminator

**After a home is treated it may take up to 2 weeks or longer for no fleas to be seen.  Flea pupae are unaffected by the treatment until they emerge from their cocoon.  It will take several weeks for all adult fleas to emerge and come in contact with the treatment.**