What Are Fleas? Everything You Need To Know

While you might assume fleas are only a problem that pet parents face, the harsh reality is that everyone can become a victim. What are fleas? These pests feed on the blood of animals and humans, transmitting diseases that can pose health risks. Keep your household flea-free by learning more about how to spot and prevent this type of pest. 

What Do Fleas Look Like?

Fleas are small parasitic creatures that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and can spread diseases. Visible with the naked eye, fleas range in size from 1/12 to ⅙ inches in length and are usually dark red or brown. Fleas have two antennae and six legs. 

While fleas can’t fly because they lack wings, they can jump long distances due to their strong legs. Fleas also have bristles that point backward, allowing them to move quickly through hair, fur, and feathers.

Common Fleas in the United States

There are about 2,500 species of fleas, but only about 300 different species are present in the United States. Despite the wide variety of species, only a few flea types in the United States can pose a health risk. 

Cat Flea

The cat flea is the most common flea found on domestic animals, not only cats, in the United States. This flea can transmit murine typhus (also known as flea-borne typhus) and cat scratch disease, although it is inefficient at transmitting plague bacteria compared to other fleas.

Dog Flea

Despite its name, the dog flea is not a common flea of domestic dogs in the United States. Dog fleas aid in spreading Dipylidium caninum, a tapeworm commonly found in dogs and cats, which can occasionally infect humans.

Ground Squirrel Flea

Plague is commonly associated with ground squirrels such as California ground squirrels and rock squirrels. The ground squirrel flea has been linked to the spread of plague bacteria to humans in the United States, which is why you should never handle dead squirrels.

Oriental Rat Flea

Similar to the cat flea and the ground squirrel flea, the oriental rat flea can spread murine typhus and plague. This flea type primarily feeds on rodents.

How Do Fleas Threaten Humans and Pets?

Fleas are parasites that feed on human or animal blood and because they feed on multiple different warm-blooded bodies, they can transmit blood to new hosts. Fleas can also transmit germs through fecal contamination, which occurs when flea droppings penetrate an open wound.

While fleas prefer feeding on animals, they will bite humans if they cannot find an animal host. Homes with pets are often more likely to face an infection than those without pets, but it's still likely that any person can be bitten by a flea.

In pets, fleas can cause anemia, flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), severe discomfort, or the transmission of a tapeworm infection, referred to scientifically as Dipylidium caninum. Humans can also experience an allergic reaction, Diplyidium caninum, or typhus, a group of infectious diseases that may cause headaches, confusion, fever, or rashes.

How to Get Rid of Fleas

Due to the life cycle of fleas, which can last years, flea control will prove to be an ongoing battle. Take a look at some of the best ways to remove fleas from your pet and home.

Flea Treatment for Pets

If you think your pet has a flea infestation, quickly comb and bathe them with flea treatments. Be sure to consult your vet before applying flea treatments to ensure it’s safe for your pet. Keep a close eye on their symptoms and revisit the vet if needed. To prevent further infestations, keep dogs on a leash when outside and regularly bathe and groom them.

Flea Treatment for Homes

To get rid of fleas in the home, clean and vacuum vigorously, wash bedding, and apply heat with a steam cleaner to kill infestations. These steps will remove the flea population and prevent the laying of eggs. To prevent outdoor flea infestations, keep lawns groomed and remove any rodent harborage sites such as overgrown trees and shrubs. If you suspect a flea infestation, contact a local bug exterminator for proper and effective flea control.

You can attempt to use natural ways to kill fleas, using products such as diatomaceous earth, essential oils, and other DIY remedies. However, these methods will not likely produce the same fast results as professional extermination.

Due to the long life cycle of fleas, the cleaning process will not be a one-time job. You will need to consistently keep up with a deep-cleaning process to ensure more pests don’t enter your home. If you're concerned about a flea infestation, hire a local flea exterminator to help you eliminate these pests. Flea extermination cost ranges between $75 to $400 and delivers peace of mind that you can appropriately free your home of fleas. 

How to Prevent Fleas

There are cautionary steps you can take to prevent flea infestations in your home. Follow these tips and tricks to keep fleas away.

• Pet control: If you own pets, limit the time they spend outside and avoid contact with stray animals. Consult your veterinarian about finding flea control products that are right for your pet.

• Pet cleaning: Bathe and brush your pet regularly and check for fleas during the process.

• Keep your home tidy: Engaging in regular cleaning practices, like sweeping and vacuuming the floors, rugs, and cushions often. Each time you vacuum, empty the bag outside. 

• Clean all bedding regularly: Wash all of your bedding, including any pet bedding, frequently with soap and warm water.

• Mow frequently: Another common way fleas can enter the home is through the yard. Fleas are drawn to shady habitats so mow your yard frequently to expose the soil to the sun. 

• Keep yard tidy: Avoid over-watering your yard and remove debris like dead leaves or sticks. Keep wild animals and rodents away from your home and yard by sealing any homes rodents could enter, tidying brush, rock piles, and firewood, covering trash cans and compost tightly, and storing food in tight containers.