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Crawling insects

Fleas

Characteristics:
Fleas are external hematophagus parasites: they feed on the blood of mammels and birds.
The most common flea species include Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea), Ctenocephalides canis (dog flea), Pulex irritans (human flea), Nosopsyllus fasciatus and Xenopsylla cheopis (rat flea).
Fleas are often confused with lice, that are also apterans and parasites of man and many other mammals and birds, belonging to the order of phthiraptera.

Fleas are small animals. Fleas have a complete lifecycle that includes the phases of egg, larvae, pupa and adult. The transformation from egg to adult requires a time that can vary from two weeks to eight months, depending on weather conditions, food availability and that of the species.
The female lays approximately 15-20 eggs per day (a total of around 600 throughout her life), and generally immediately after having been fed. The eggs are laid on the host. A wide range of mammals (including man) and birds can provide a host. The eggs are laid on the hair or on feathers, and can easily fall and be spread throughout the environment, particularly where the host rests, sleeps or nests.
The eggs hatch in between two days and two weeks. In infested human homes, the larvae can be found in cracks in the floor, beneath the carpet edges, in beds. Outside, sand is one of the preferred habitats.
The larvae are blind and develop over a period that varies from one week to several months, going through three larvae stages. They do not suck blood directly. They feed on the faeces of adult fleas or on fragments of skin, hair or feathers.
The metamorphosis from pupa to adult takes place within a silk cocoon larva fabric, to which fragments of hair or other similar materials adhere. The process of metamorphosis lasts from five to fourteen days. Adult fleas can leave the cocoon immediately or wait to perceive vibrations, pressure, heat or carbon dioxide, all signs that suggest the potential presence of a food source.

Most fleas spend the winter in a larva or pupa phase. The ‘flea season' during which the adults are active, is the summer or start of the autumn. The number of individuals that survive the winter depends on the temperature. The survival rate is greatest in mildest winters. In hotter areas, for example at the equator or tropics, adults can be present throughout the whole year.

In most cases, human flea (Pulex irritans LINNEUS) is the most irritating due to its movement on the skin and its bites. It irritates its host only (causing skin reddening and itching), however some people and animals may suffer allergy to flea saliva, and have particularly violent symptoms of this. In extreme cases, repeated flea bites can cause anaemia in the host animal. The penetrating flea action is more demanding because the lesions produced by the parasite can be added to with septic complications, gangrenes, arthritis, bone necrosis and tendinitis, fistula, falling of phalanges or fingers, etc..

Fleas can also be interim hosts or carriers of zoopathogen viruses, or bacteria (Enterobacteriacaea of the genre Salmonella LIGN).
Flea bites can be treated with calamine or hydrocortisone.


Domestic animal fleas
For domestic animals, like dogs and cats, there are various types of veterinary products that can combat infestations by fleas. These products keep fleas away from the animals, but do not protect the owner or home.


Fleas in the home
The infestation of a home must be combated with tools that interrupt the flea's lifecycle, preventing reproduction. Generally speaking, similar pesticides are used as those for combating moths and woodworm.

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