Fleas Aren't Just A Threat To Pets, Here's How To Get Rid Of Them For Good

Jul 06, 2018 by apost team

Summer brings with it sunburns and a slew of different types of insect bites, including fleas. Flea populations explode as summer brings humid, warm weather across the country, and those areas that enjoy the warmth year-round, such as Florida, can see thriving flea populations regardless of the season.

Fleas seem to prefer animal hosts, but they are also opportunistic creatures. Humans are not off-limits, especially if you’re experiencing an infestation or other hosts aren’t accessible. Know what fleas look like, how they behave, and how to prevent a household infestation once they bite and reveal their presence.

There are actually over 2,500 different species of fleas. Most all of these will regard humans as an acceptable host when their population is too large to be supported by their more favorable animal hosts or animal hosts aren’t accessible, but it’s the Pulex irritans, or “human flea,” that specifically looks as humans as equal targets to animal hosts. Fleas are flat, six-legged, tiny insects only measuring between 1.5mm-3mm in length. Their hind legs are quite oversized to provide long-distance jumping. The hind legs are also spiked so that the flea can latch on to its target. Each leg has a clawed end. Their mouths are adapted to pierce the skin of the host and feed on blood. No hair. No wings.

Some adult fleas can survive up to a year without a blood source (host.) Immature fleas, however, must have a blood source every three days to survive. Fleas lay dozens of eggs at one time either in a burrow near the host or on the host itself. These take up to two weeks to hatch. Human fleas have a tendency to burrow under the skin to lay eggs, temporarily hide, and gorge themselves. Once they’re in your environment, they can quickly multiply into the thousands and become an infestation living in your hair, bed, carpet, clothes, etc.

apost.com

Don’t underestimate these blood-sucking pests just because they’re tiny. While much rarer than the incident of mosquito and tick transfer, fleas are a vector to transport disease. They did just that in the Middle Ages by being instrumental in spreading the plague of Black Death.

How do you tell if it’s a flea bite or some other insect bite? Fleas transfer multiple substances through their saliva during a bite that can cause an allergic reaction. Fleas are most likely to attack you near the ground, meaning bites are most common on the feet, ankles, and lower calves. The bite itself is often immediately itchy, slightly swollen, and looks like a tiny red dot surrounded by a reddish halo. Where there’s one flea, there’s usually more. So, flea attacks often result in a cluster of these bites that may resemble hives. If you aren’t careful, the fleas can easily jump onto your clothes and into your hair. They’re then free to travel with you to invade your home, taking up permanent resident and breeding in your hair, clothes, carpets, linens, and upholstery until you have a flea infestation.

Begin by immediately removing your clothing and washing them in hot water with laundry detergent. Take a shower with dishwashing liquid, such as Dawn, thoroughly washing the bite areas and any hairy areas where the flea might’ve traveled to safety.

You can use a cold compress or ice pack to minimize the swelling and pain of the flea bite. Oatmeal lotion can help with the itch. Aloe Vera, green tea leaves, or essential oils can be applied to expedite the soothing and healing process. To prevent future flea bites, try rubbing garlic or lemon around on your lower extremities and shoes before going outside.

Have you been bitten by a flea? Suspect you have a flea problem near your home? Do you know any great ways to deter fleas? Share any thoughts you have and show this article to your friends and family so they can stay safe in the warmer months!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!