Shih Tzu - FLEA MEET THE PEST

A flea might live a year and a half under ideal conditions. These include the right temperature, food supply, and humidity. Generally speaking, though, an adult flea only lives for 2 or 3 months. Without a host for food, a flea's life might be as short as a few days. But with ample food supply, the adult flea will often live up to 100 days.

One female can produce over 250,000 baby fleas in one month. Size - 1/16" to 1/8" long. Jump about 8" high and 12" sideways and pull up to 400-times their weight. "Pancake" shape allows fleas to run quickly from point-to-point on the host's body, avoiding danger. Fleas bite repeatedly, even when they have satisfied their own hunger.

There are over 860 species of tick

There are over 860 species of tick, but new species are being discovered and described each year.

The cat flea is the most common species of flea known to affect cats, dogs and humans. The very small, dark, wingless insect uses its sharp piercing-sucking mouth part to take blood from its host - preferably a cat. This predator hides in the fur of animals, but makes use of its long legs to jump to other hosts. Hungry fleas will attack humans in the absence of the pet.

Fleas can carry and transmit various allergies and disease. These can be passed to humans and other animals when the fleas bite. Humans will usually experience two or three bites on the ankles and lower part of the legs by each flea. Each bite produces a small, hard, red spot with a noticeable puncture wound. In late summer when the temperature and humidity rise, flea populations usually reach their peak. These conditions are necessary for adult development. Fleas which bite rodents pose a real threat if they later bite humans and transmit diseases picked up from the rodents.

Fleas seem to be attracted to some people more than others. One reason for this selective attraction could be that not everyone has the same chemical makeup. Skin secretions and gas emissions such as carbon dioxide vary among individuals. Also, some people are allergic to the saliva secreted by fleas. A person with a moderate or severe allergic reaction would notice more bites than a person who is not allergic.

The discomfort caused by flea bites can be reduced by applying an ice cube to the bite, or using menthol, camphor or calamine lotion.

LIFE CYCLE

The cycle of the flea consists of egg, larva, pupa and adult life stages. Although the female flea only mates once, several hundred eggs can be laid in a six month period. The very tiny, white eggs are deposited singly on the skin or fur of the host after the female has had a blood meal. The loosely laid eggs can easily fall from the host onto areas visited by the pet including bedding, resting areas or carpets and flooring. The egg, which is round and sticky, develops into a larva in approximately nine days. The larva, which resembles a small hairy worm, then pupates. The pupal stage is a resting stage where the legless larva becomes an adult in one to three weeks. Depending on the surrounding environmental conditions, it could take anywhere from one to seven months for the life cycle to be completed. When the adults emerge, they are very hungry and aggressive.

CONTROL Monitor
It is easy to monitor for fleas by watching your pet. If a pet seems to be scratching more often, chances are fleas are the culprit. One way to determine if fleas are infesting your house or pet is to lay a white sheet over your pet's bedding and watch for jumping fleas. The fleas show up on white surfaces clearly. Another monitoring method is to use a pan of soapy water with a light nearby to attract fleas. The fleas will jump toward the light source, fall into the water and drown. To determine flea location and population size, try wearing a pair of white socks and light coloured pants while walking in a suspected area of infestation. Again, the fleas will be attracted to the white colour and will be seen jumping at the ankles and legs. This method will work best if the pet has been absent from the dwelling for a short time.

Physical Control
Unless you keep your pet inside and away from other animals, it may be next to impossible to prevent an infestation. Protect your pet from fleas by reducing flea breeding areas. Popular pet visiting places, especially bedding, can become infested easily. Limit the pet to specific areas and wash these areas often. Vacuuming removes eggs, larvae and adults, thereby reducing flea numbers. In order to avoid reinfestation, be sure to destroy the vacuum bag when finished. Steam cleaning carpets and furniture will also limit flea populations. Grooming pets is one of the easiest and safest ways to control fleas. Combing pets with a fine-toothed flea comb is very effective in removing flea eggs and adults. Concentrate on the areas around the head and neck of the pet because this is where a greater percentage of fleas gather. Fleas caught in the comb can be placed in soapy water.

Chemical
If physical measures are not effective, use a pesticide which will have a minimal impact on both you and the environment. Some examples of these pesticides include diatomaceous earth and silica aerogel dust formulations. Both work as abrasives and when fleas come in contact with them, they dehydrate and die. Treat the pet itself and areas where it has visited. Sprays of boric acid and methoprene can provide indoor control. A new product, which is given orally to pets, is now available from veterinarians. This product controls flea infestation by interrupting the flea cycle at the egg and larval stage.

If it is necessary to use a pesticide, apply it only to infested areas. During the summer when flea populations are at a peak, flea collars, sprays and shampoos can be used to protect your pet. These registered products are pesticides and must be used according to the label directions in order to avoid harming the pet, humans and the environment. Keep in mind that the skin of cats and dogs is very porous and will absorb these chemicals very easily.

If the above measures are not effective, consult with an expert at a pet store for pesticides available for flea control. Before using pesticides, consult the Backyard Bug Brigade Brochure which contains information on safe pest control.

Always use a registered domestic class pest control product labelled for flea control and carefully follow the label directions.