{"id":3946,"date":"2010-12-21T14:29:01","date_gmt":"2010-12-21T19:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ipm\/"},"modified":"2023-03-28T09:54:04","modified_gmt":"2023-03-28T13:54:04","slug":"5020e","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ipm\/ipddl\/publications\/5020e\/","title":{"rendered":"Fleas"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n \n \"Print\n <\/a>\n <\/div><\/h3>\n

Pest Management Fact Sheet #5020<\/h3>\n

James F. Dill, Pest Management Specialist
\nClay A. Kirby, Insect Diagnostician<\/em><\/p>\n

For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu<\/a>.<\/strong>
\nFind more of our publications and books at extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Description & Biology<\/h3>\n

\"Adult<\/a>The flea most commonly encountered in Maine is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis<\/i>.\u00a0 Although fleas are capable of transmitting diseases, this is rare in Maine.<\/p>\n

Fleas pass through a complete life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.\u00a0 The tiny clear-to-white eggs can be seen without magnification. Eggs are laid on pets or other warm blooded hosts but may be found wherever they fall off from a flea-infested pet. Eggs and flea feces often accumulate where pets rest and this creates an appearance of mixed salt and pepper.\u00a0 It takes from one to twelve days for the eggs to hatch.<\/p>\n

Upon hatching from their eggs, the eyeless, legless, whitish, maggot-like larvae seek protected areas in floor cracks, carpets, or in pets\u2019 beds where they feed on organic material such as food crumbs, animal waste and adult flea fecal material.\u00a0 The larvae molt three times and mature in seven to 15 days. Unfavorable conditions such as dryness may extend the larval stage to over six months.\u00a0 The larvae often hide in moist sand and pet runways.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The mature larvae enter the pupal stage after spinning silken cocoons from their saliva mixed with other debris.\u00a0 In about seven days, the adult fleas are ready to emerge from their cocoons.\u00a0 Sometimes they rest in the cocoons until a noise or vibration indicates the presence of an animal or human.\u00a0 This is why severe flea problems are often noted after returning from several weeks of vacation or when moving into an empty house, as the fleas are primed for their very first blood meal by that point.<\/p>\n

The female fleas (1\/8″) are a bit larger than the males.\u00a0 Their narrow bodies (with bristles pointed backwards and long, spiny legs) can move forward quickly through fur, hair, feathers, and some loosely-woven fabrics. Their hind legs are adapted for jumping.\u00a0 Sucking mouthparts are used to obtain blood from the host, which could be a cat, dog, bird, human, or other warm-blooded animal.<\/p>\n

It takes 27 to 40 days for the cat flea to complete one life cycle, or one generation.\u00a0 A female flea must have a blood meal before she lays her eggs, even though she has mated.\u00a0 A hot, dry summer reduces the number of fleas, whereas humid, rainy weather favors their increase.\u00a0 Environmental conditions greatly affect the length of a flea\u2019s life.\u00a0 The average life of an adult flea without a blood meal is two months.\u00a0 But under hot and dry conditions, and still without a blood meal, an adult flea may live from only two to five days.\u00a0 Under more favorable conditions and with adequate blood meals, however, a flea may survive from one month to a year.\u00a0 Cat fleas can be found on wild animals or pets in favorable temperatures and humidity and therefore can be a continuous problem.<\/p>\n

Pets are usually blamed for carrying fleas, but rats and mice can also be sources of fleas or causes of a continuing flea infestation.\u00a0 However, fleas can also survive in homes where there are only humans present.\u00a0 Some humans are unaffected by flea bites to the point where they can live with fleas and not be aware they have them.\u00a0 But most people are very sensitive to flea bites.\u00a0 Flea bites are most likely to be found on the feet, ankles and legs of people in flea-infested areas.\u00a0 The bites have a red halo around a small red spot, and may be swollen.\u00a0 Several over-the-counter medications may give some relief for flea bites.<\/p>\n

Management<\/h3>\n

Recently, there have been comments about fleas becoming resistant to some of the insecticides used to control them.\u00a0 This may be true to some extent, but in heavy infestations, it is more likely that something is lacking from one’s control efforts or that mistakes have been made.\u00a0 It could be that an insecticide is not being used correctly, the life cycle is not being considered, or another source for the fleas has escaped notice.<\/p>\n

When an infestation seems uncontrollable in the summer, there is usually sandy soil or a gravel driveway around the home.\u00a0 Sand and gravel are ideal environments for larvae, and this is why fleas are sometimes erroneously called “sand fleas.”\u00a0 Spraying the lawn or driveway 20 feet beyond the area frequented by people or pets is necessary.<\/p>\n

Pets must be treated with an insecticide from the pet shop or from a veterinarian. Use and repeat these treatments as directed.\u00a0 Imidacloprid (Advantage\u00ae<\/em>), lufenuron (Lufenuron Technical\u00ae<\/em>), fipronil plus S-methoprene (Frontline Plus\u00ae<\/em>), permethrin, pyrethrins, and flea collars are typically used.\u00a0 When selecting an insecticide, remember that a cat is likely to lick itself.\u00a0 Always check with your veterinarian first and follow label directions.\u00a0 Do not use dog flea products on cats and vice versa.<\/p>\n

In the home, you may use your vacuum cleaner to remove fleas.\u00a0 After vacuuming avoid spreading the pests by sealing the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag before disposing it. For light flea infestations, mist areas where fleas are likely to be found.\u00a0 Pyrethrins can be used, but they will primarily kill only the fleas that are actually sprayed on contact; they have little residual effect.\u00a0 Preferred outdoor insecticides are pyrethroids such as bifenthrin or permethrin, both of which have some residual effect. Less toxic options include growth regulators (methoprene and pyriproxyfen), insecticidal soap, d-Limonene, silica gel, pyrethrins, diatomaceous earth, and boric acid flea control products.<\/p>\n

If considering the use of any of the available one-time-release aerosol bombs, vacuum to remove lint or dust from cracks or folds where the fleas can hide.\u00a0 Cushions from stuffed chairs should be removed before vacuuming.\u00a0 Throw rugs must be taken up off the floor.\u00a0 Make sure your pet’s bed or primary sleeping area is thoroughly exposed to the fumes or spray.\u00a0 Spacing clothes in the closets may also help.\u00a0 Do not enter a treated home for at least four hours to give the insecticide enough time to work.\u00a0 Follow label directions.<\/p>\n

Bomb treatments may not kill insects that are in the egg or pupal stage, nor those inside deep cracks where the insecticide mist cannot reach. Any of the insecticides listed above available in an aerosol spray should be used as a follow-up to control fleas that may escape a one-time-release bomb.\u00a0 An additional treatment 10 to 12 days after the first treatment should kill new larvae and prevent newly-emerged females from laying eggs.<\/p>\n

Using any of the commercial repellents can be used to avoid being bitten and to decrease the odds of carrying fleas home from infested areas.<\/p>\n

\n

When Using Pesticides<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

ALWAYS FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS!<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Pest Management Unit
\nCooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory
\n17 Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME 04473
\n1.800.287.0279 (in Maine)<\/p>\n

\n

Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a9 2016, 2018, 2020 | Reviewed & Revised: 2023<\/p>\n

Call 800.287.0274 (in Maine), or 207.581.3188, for information on publications and program offerings from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, or visit extension.umaine.edu<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pest Management Fact Sheet #5020 James F. Dill, Pest Management Specialist Clay A. Kirby, Insect Diagnostician For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu. Find more of our publications and books at extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/. Description & Biology The flea most commonly encountered in Maine is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis.\u00a0 Although fleas are capable […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":3249,"menu_order":23,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3946","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nFleas - Cooperative Extension: Insect Pests, Ticks and Plant Diseases - University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ipm\/ipddl\/publications\/5020e\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Fleas - Cooperative Extension: Insect Pests, Ticks and Plant Diseases - University of Maine Cooperative Extension\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Pest Management Fact Sheet #5020 James F. 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