When it comes to eliminating fleas from your pets and home, there are some key things to consider. First and foremost, it's important to familiarize yourself with and understand the flea life cycle when you're trying to eliminate fleas altogether.
Flea Eggs
Adult female fleas lay eggs after feeding on the blood of a host (such as your pet), which is the beginning of the life cycle. Blood is necessary for adult fleas to reproduce. These eggs are small, white objects (slightly smaller than a grain of sand) that are buried in bunches of about every 20 in your pet's fur. An adult female can lay about 40 eggs per day.
The eggs are dropped as your pet moves, allowing them to be dispersed throughout the environment where your pet spends his or her time. Flea eggs make up about half (50%) of the total flea population in an average home.
Eggs take two days to two weeks to develop and hatch when environmental conditions are right for them. If the temperature is cold and dry, the eggs will take longer; if the temperature is warmer and the humidity is higher, the eggs will hatch more quickly. Larvae then emerge as the next life stage.
Larvae of fleas
The newborn larvae are blind and will avoid exposure to sunlight. They develop over a period of several weeks by eating pre-digested blood (called flea "dirt") passed by adult fleas, as well as other organic debris in the environment.
Visually, flea larvae can be up to 1 1/4 inches long, are white (almost transparent), and have no legs. In the average home, the larvae make up about 35 percent of the flea population. If conditions are favorable, the larvae will hatch from their eggs and emerge from their cocoons in about 5-20 days. This leads to the next life stage, called the cocoon or pupa stage.
Flea Pupa
The pupal stage of the flea life cycle accounts for about 10% of the flea population in your home. The cocoon stage is the last stage of development before the adult emerges. The cocoon protects the pupa for several days or weeks before the adult flea emerges. If environmental conditions are not favorable for hatching, the cocoon can protect the developing flea for months and, in some cases, even years.
Cocoons have a sticky outer layer that allows them to hide deep in the carpet where they cannot be easily removed by light vacuuming or sweeping. Cocoons also protect developing adults from chemicals.
Adult fleas won't come out until the presence of a potential host is evident - through vibrations, rising carbon dioxide levels, and body temperature. This can be triggered by your pet walking by or someone moving around the house, alerting the flea to come out of its cocoon to eat.
Adult fleas
Once the flea emerges from its cocoon, it will take a few hours for it to begin taking food from its host. Shortly after the first meal, the adult flea will reproduce and begin laying eggs within a few days. Female fleas can only lay eggs after sucking blood.
The new adult fleas are flat, small and dark in color. Once they have had a chance to eat your pet, they will become larger and lighter in color, taking on a more recognizable flea shape. Adult fleas make up less than 5% of the total flea population in your home. They spend most of their time living on their hosts while feeding, reproducing and laying eggs, and they can live on their hosts for weeks to months.
Eliminating fleas
Use your knowledge of the flea life cycle to eliminate the pest. To properly treat the environment, vacuum regularly for a few weeks and wash bedding and toys thoroughly in hot, soapy water to remove eggs, larvae and pupae. Remember to seal and remove vacuum bags after a cleaning session. You can even use a humidifier and increase the temperature in your home to speed up the emergence of the remaining pupae. Once all the hibernating pupae have emerged, you can be sure they are all destroyed. Misters and foggers can be used (carefully).
What is the best flea treatment for dogs and cats?
Use it against adult fleas that live on your pet cat flea and tick shampoo, dog flea and tick shampoo, sprays, dips, spot-on medications or prescription flea and tick veterinary treatments. If you have any questions or concerns, especially about your pet's health or age, your veterinarian can help you make the best decision to treat your pet.
Fleas can be difficult to eliminate, but if you stay vigilant and use the right chemicals in a safe and effective way, you will come out on top. Just be sure to make sure that your pet spends time in all places, including the car and the yard.