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2023 / 12 / 25
There are estimated to be about 2,500 species of fleas in the Order Siphonaptera and the family Pulicidae in the world. Currently, a total of more than 33 species of fleas have been recorded in Taiwan, of which the species with rodents as its host is the largest. Most common fleas on cats and dogs are cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis), which are also the species that are more likely to cause problem in urban environments. In addition to biting cats, dogs, and rats, fleas can also bite people and suck blood. Very itchy swellings and blisters will appear on the bites. Fortunately, there are no flea-mediated diseases or parasitic problems in Taiwan, such as plague, endemic Typhus, etc.
Larvae have three instar stages, which last from one week to several months, depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment. Generally, larvae prefer an environment with a relative humidity of 75% to 85% and a temperature of 27°C to 32°C, so Taiwan's climate is quite suitable for flea reproduction. An environment that is too dry, too humid, high or low temperature is not conducive to the growth of larvae.
Fleas are tiny in size. Adults have flat sides, no wings, short and unobvious antennae, piercing-sucking mouthparts and well-developed hind legs that are good at jumping. The size of the adults and the spines on their bodies help them shuttle through the host's hair without being easily shaken off. After sucking blood, the female flea can lay 25 to 40 eggs that are creamy white to light yellow in color. The eggs are oval in shape, with a smooth and non-sticky appearance. As long as the host moves, these eggs will fall down to the surrounding area, such as the places where pets sleep.
Eggs will hatch into milky white/yellowish larvae 2 to 5 days later. The larvae have negative phototaxis. In the domestic environment, they will hide at the base of carpets and the creases of bedding in cat and dog kennels, feeding on organic debris as well as the flea dirt (blood feces) excreted by adult fleas after sucking blood. Flea dirt is an important source of nutrition for larvae. If larvae do not have food, they may also engage in cannibalism or feed on unhatched eggs.
When the mature larvae pupate, they will spin silk and form a cocoon. The cocoon silk is sticky and will stick to various debris in the surrounding environment to form a shell. The time required for emergence will also be affected by the environment, ranging from 1 to 2 weeks to 4 months. The flea pupa also has a characteristic, that is, when it is close to the time of emergence, if there is vibration, it will stimulate the emergence. The intensity of this vibration usually corresponds to the amplitude of the vibration caused by the movement of people and animals, or the passing of a vacuum cleaner, so the adults will not emerge. The lifespan of adult fleas ranges from about 38 to 513 days. Female and male fleas can suck blood as soon as they emerge. Fleas in the domestic environment often expand their activity range due to the activities of pets, and then spread to humans. If there is no pet in the home, the source of flea infection is usually due to the rat host dies, the body temperature drops, causing fleas to leave the rat corpse and bite humans. The areas where most susceptible to flea bites are usually the calves and waist, especially where clothing meets the skin, appear red on the periphery and have small red dots in the center. However, swelling and blisters do not appear immediately as soon as a flea bites. It takes about 8-12 hours for symptoms to appear, that cause many people mistakenly believe that they are bitten by fleas in a restaurant or hotel and then file a lawsuit to the owners, but actually they probably were bitten at another places.
Flea management
Some researches show that flea eggs and larvae distribute in large numbers around the bed, followed by the edges of furniture on the walls and doors. The distribution of pupae is scattered and the number is small, but they are still mainly around the bed. It reveals that in addition to adults with strong mobile abilities, the distribution location of other immature individuals (eggs, larvae, and pupae) is highly correlated with the activity range of the hosts (pets). In addition, the researchers found that in the flea-infested area, the number of adult individuals only accounted for 5%, and the rest were all individuals in the immature stage, with the highest proportion of eggs. In other words, when a place is already infested with fleas, it represents a potential hazard. Higher, even if the adults are killed, new adult fleas will continue to appear. Therefore, to prevent and control flea infestation, in addition to measures to prevent and control adult fleas such as spraying insecticides and using medicine on pets, we must also control immature individuals in the environment.
1.Physical prevention and control
According to some studies, a vacuum cleaner can remove 90% of eggs and 50% of larvae on carpets. Other studies have shown that using a vacuum cleaner can remove 15-27% of larvae, 32-59% of eggs, as well as flea dirt and debris feed by larvae, and reduce the flea population. Vacuum cleaners will also remove most flea adults.
Houses affected by fleas should be ventilated and kept dry. It is especially recommended to use a dehumidifier during the rainy season. Pets' beds also need to be cleaned regularly or exposed to the sun. Floor gaps, furniture, potted plants, etc. will create gaps, which are conducive to fleas breeding, so it is best to clean them regularly with a vacuum cleaner. The dust bag or container in the vacuum cleaner should also be cleaned immediately after use to avoid becoming another shelter for larvae.
2. Prevention and treatment of fleas on animal body
Pet owners should follow with veterinarians’ diagnosis and advice to choose appropriate pesticides, including sprays, drops, powders, oral agents, collars, etc. Pet stores are also very convenient for purchasing various flea combs, which can remove adult fleas when combing your pet's hair. Pet cats and dogs often become infected with fleas due to contact with stray animals when they go out. Therefore, pet cats and dogs should also be checked and bathed after returning home.
3. Drive away stray cats, dogs and rats to prevent flea invasion
Stray cats, dogs, and rats often carry many fleas, and the fleas on them may be transferred to nearby homes due to the activity or death of the host. We can spray and apply various repellents in the places where they often appear to achieve the effect of repelling and blocking them.
4. Chemical control
Appropriate spraying of pesticides is still a necessary control method. To prevent and control adult fleas, you can use various aerosol sprays and spray insecticides on cracks, gaps, corners and other places where fleas tend to hide potentially. Generally, pesticides have good effects on flea larvae and adults, but their effect on flea pupae (cocoons) is very limited, because the cocoons will resist external chemicals. Usually, it is necessary to apply again about 1 to 2 weeks after the first application to control newly emerged adult fleas. To control flea larvae, you can use insect growth regulator (IGR) preparations to interfere with their growth cycle and prevent the emerging adults from gradually reducing the population.
Some researches show that flea eggs and larvae distribute in large numbers around the bed, followed by the edges of furniture on the walls and doors. The distribution of pupae is scattered and the number is small, but they are still mainly around the bed. It reveals that in addition to adults with strong mobile abilities, the distribution location of other immature individuals (eggs, larvae, and pupae) is highly correlated with the activity range of the hosts (pets). In addition, the researchers found that in the flea-infested area, the number of adult individuals only accounted for 5%, and the rest were all individuals in the immature stage, with the highest proportion of eggs. In other words, when a place is already infested with fleas, it represents a potential hazard. Higher, even if the adults are killed, new adult fleas will continue to appear. Therefore, to prevent and control flea infestation, in addition to measures to prevent and control adult fleas such as spraying insecticides and using medicine on pets, we must also control immature individuals in the environment.
1.Physical prevention and control
According to some studies, a vacuum cleaner can remove 90% of eggs and 50% of larvae on carpets. Other studies have shown that using a vacuum cleaner can remove 15-27% of larvae, 32-59% of eggs, as well as flea dirt and debris feed by larvae, and reduce the flea population. Vacuum cleaners will also remove most flea adults.
Houses affected by fleas should be ventilated and kept dry. It is especially recommended to use a dehumidifier during the rainy season. Pets' beds also need to be cleaned regularly or exposed to the sun. Floor gaps, furniture, potted plants, etc. will create gaps, which are conducive to fleas breeding, so it is best to clean them regularly with a vacuum cleaner. The dust bag or container in the vacuum cleaner should also be cleaned immediately after use to avoid becoming another shelter for larvae.
2. Prevention and treatment of fleas on animal body
Pet owners should follow with veterinarians’ diagnosis and advice to choose appropriate pesticides, including sprays, drops, powders, oral agents, collars, etc. Pet stores are also very convenient for purchasing various flea combs, which can remove adult fleas when combing your pet's hair. Pet cats and dogs often become infected with fleas due to contact with stray animals when they go out. Therefore, pet cats and dogs should also be checked and bathed after returning home.
3. Drive away stray cats, dogs and rats to prevent flea invasion
Stray cats, dogs, and rats often carry many fleas, and the fleas on them may be transferred to nearby homes due to the activity or death of the host. We can spray and apply various repellents in the places where they often appear to achieve the effect of repelling and blocking them.
4. Chemical control
Appropriate spraying of pesticides is still a necessary control method. To prevent and control adult fleas, you can use various aerosol sprays and spray insecticides on cracks, gaps, corners and other places where fleas tend to hide potentially. Generally, pesticides have good effects on flea larvae and adults, but their effect on flea pupae (cocoons) is very limited, because the cocoons will resist external chemicals. Usually, it is necessary to apply again about 1 to 2 weeks after the first application to control newly emerged adult fleas. To control flea larvae, you can use insect growth regulator (IGR) preparations to interfere with their growth cycle and prevent the emerging adults from gradually reducing the population.