Siphonaptera the FLEA 

   Know the Flea, Know your Enemy  

  Frequently Asked Questions 

The Flea - how to kill the flea with insecticides and natural remedies. FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

 

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THE FLEA - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. They are parasites that live on the exterior of the host (i.e., are ecto-parasitic). Fleas (see photograph) are bloodsucking insects, important carriers of disease, and sometimes serious pests. As the chief agent transmitting the Black Death (bubonic plague) in the Middle Ages, they were an essential link in the chain of events that killed a quarter of the population of Europe.

Fleas (see photograph) are small, wingless insects with a tough cuticle bearing many bristles and frequently combs (ctenidia) of broad, flattened spines. The adult flea varies from about 0.1 to 1 centimetre (0.039 to 0.39 inch) in length and feeds exclusively on the blood of mammals (including man) and birds. With more than 1,600 species and subspecies known, the order is still a small one compared with many other groups of insects; however, it is widely distributed. The rat flea and the mouse flea have been carried all over the world by man; native species of fleas are found in polar, temperate, and tropical regions.

Importance -  Infestation by fleas may cause severe inflammation of the skin and intense itching. Although many animals acquire partial immunity after constant or repeated attacks, occasionally individuals (especially man) become sensitized after exposure and develop allergies. Species that attack man and livestock include the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), the so-called human flea (Pulex irritans), the dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis), the sticktightflea (Echidnophaga gallinacea), and the jigger, or chigoe, flea (Tunga penetrans ). Poultry may be parasitized by the European chicken flea (Ceratophyllus gallinae) and (in the U.S.) by the western chicken flea (Ceratophyllus niger).

Certain fleas that feed primarily on rodents or birds sometimes attack man, particularly in the absence of their usual prey. When rats are dying of bubonic plague, their hungry fleas, themselves infected with plague bacilli and seeking food elsewhere, can transmit the disease to man, especially in buildings heavily infested with rats. The Oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) is the most efficient carrier of plague, but other species of fleas (e.g., Nosopsyllus fasciatus, Xenopsylla brasiliensis, Pulex irritans) can also transmit the disease to man. Although there are occasional cases of plague in tropical regions, the disease in man has been controlled by early diagnosis and antibiotics. Plague (sylvatic plague), a widespread disease inhundreds of species of wild rodents throughout the world, is maintained by fleas that parasitize these animals. More than 100 species of fleas are known to be infected by the plague bacillus, and an additional ten species are implicatedas carriers of the classic type of urban plague.

Fleas, particularly Xenopsylla cheopis, are believed to be the principal carriers of murine typhus, a rickettsial disease of man; rats and mice are sources of infection. Fleas are considered important in the maintenance and spread of many locally restricted infections among rodents and other mammals, including tularemia and Russian spring-summer encephalitis. Fleas transmit myxomatosis, a viral disease of rabbits used deliberately to control rabbits in areas where they are severe pests (e.g., in Australia). Fleas are probable carriers of a filarial worm of dogs and serve as the intermediate host of a common tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) of dogs and cats (and occasionally children). If heavily infested, animals can suffer severe damage or be killed by the effects of flea bites and considerable loss of blood. Fleas are subject to parasitism by external mites; internal nematode worms; and bacterial, fungal, and protozoan infections.

The female chigoe, or jigger, flea (not to be confused with “chigger,” a larval mite), burrows into the skin of its host, generally on the feet, and lives within a cyst that forms around it. Intense itching accompanies the development and enlargement of the cyst as the abdomen of the pregnant flea swells to the size of a pea; secondary infections may constitute serious complications.

 

 

     Frequently asked Questions On Fleas    

 

Wingless insect of the order Siphonaptera, with blood-sucking mouthparts. Fleas are semi-parasitic on warm-blooded animals. Some fleas can jump 130 times their own height. Species include the human flea - Pulex irritans; the rat flea - Xenopsylla cheopsis, the transmitter of plague and typhus. Helped through central heating, the cat and dog fleas - Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis. One of the largest fleas is Histricopsylla talpae, which lives on the mole and is about 8 mm or 0.25 in long. - How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes. Fleas, flees, fleese, phlees, phleas         © COPYRIGHT 2000 - 2009 Foogle Business

© COPYRIGHT 2000 - 2009 Foogle Business

The Flea

Anyone who keeps pets will have crossed paths with the formidable flea before now. I remember many years ago, I had just moved into a new home and it was a hot summer. We had just bought a new kitten and our bedroom was not yet carpeted. It was about 10.00 AM and I was just lying in bed reading. On the floor were laid several magazines and every now and then I could hear this little clicking-snapping sound. When I investigated I could see these tiny creature using these magazines as launching pads. In my bed, contrasted against the crisp white sheets, were tiny moving dots.

I spent that summer solving this horrendous problem, reading about it where ever I could and buying most every known insecticide known to man or woman. The cat still lived to a ripe old age. Then I cannot tell you how traumatic it all was; now I look upon fleas with no fear,  but with plenty of respect

The Flea - What is it?    

Flea     A small wingless bloodsucking insect with legs modified for jumping. Fleas have irritating bites and move from host to host; some species carry serious diseases. Two widely distributed species are the human flea (Pulex irritans) and the oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis), which transmits bubonic plague and typhus to humans

   

Only    90 - 95% of fleas are in adult form. So for every one you find biting you, TEN to FIFTEEN more are elsewhere as either eggs, caterpillars, cocoons or grown fleas.

 
   

How to recognize a flea problem

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Fleas, Firstly Read: 

Fleas have been around for millions of years - a fossilized flea found in Australia is said to be 200 million years old. It does not differ significantly from today's fleas. Different species can be found from the Arctic Circle to the Arabian deserts - even penguins have fleas which counteract the cold by ensuring that their growth into adulthood coincides with the time when penguins are sitting firmly on their eggs, thereby keeping both fleas and their young in a warm environment!   Questions about dogs, photos, pictures, pix, pup, puppies, canines, k9, resources, American Cocker Spaniel, Afghan Hound, Airedale Terrier, Alaskan Malamute, Australian Shepherd, Basenji, Basset Hound, Bearded Collie, Beagle, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bichon Frise, Border Collie, Border Terrier, Borzoi, Boston Terrier, Bouvier Des Flandres, Boxer, Boykin Spaniel, Brittany Spaniel, Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Collie, Dachshund, Dalmatian, Doberman, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Great Dane, German Shepherd Dog, German Short Hair Pointer, Golden Retriever, Great Pyrenees, Greyhound, Irish Setter, Irish Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, Keeshond, Labrador Retriever, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Mastiff - English, Munster Lander, Newfoundland, Norwegian Elkhound, Old English Sheepdog, Papillon, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Poodle, Pug, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Saluki, Samoyed, Saint Bernard, Schnauzer, Scottish Terrier, Shar Pei, Shetland Sheepdog, Shih Tzu, Siberian Husky, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Vizsla, Weimaraner, West Highland Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier, Wheaten Terrier, Whippet, Yorkshire Terrier. TERMS - Terms and Conditions of ALL our Websites - PLEASE READ OUR TERMS .

You may know of this, or already do it but this is general info.

Read the site, this will help you understand the flea a bit more and relieve the panic. 

 DON'T PANIC !!!

 

ANTS - any member of the approximately 8,000 species of the insect family Formicidae - order Hymenoptera. Ants occur worldwide but are especially common in hot climates. All ants are social in habit; i.e., they live together in organized colonies, and they range in size from 2 to about 25 millimeters, about 0.08 to 1 inch. Their color is usually yellow, brown, red, or black. A few genera, e.g., Pheidole of North America, have a metallic luster.

INDEX PAGE on INSECTS 

 

Wingless insect of the order Siphonaptera, with blood-sucking mouthparts. Fleas are semi-parasitic on warm-blooded animals. Some fleas can jump 130 times their own height. Species include the human flea - Pulex irritans; the rat flea - Xenopsylla cheopsis, the transmitter of plague and typhus. Helped through central heating, the cat and dog fleas - Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis. One of the largest fleas is Histricopsylla talpae, which lives on the mole and is about 8 mm or 0.25 in long. - How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes. Fleas, flees, fleese, phlees, phleas         © COPYRIGHT 2000 - 2009 Foogle Business

Learn More, Be More 
Fleas can be brought into the house on clothes and or legs and of course any pet. They are then attracted to carbon dioxide from your breath, warmth from your body, and vibrations as you walk. they will seek you out to feed on your blood. But they cannot hurt you. They just leave small red dots at the wound site. They usually only bite feet and lower legs on humans. But they can make you itch, firstly from the bite, then from the chemical they inject into you and then from the psychology of it all. 

In any event, do not panic. All you can do in get out the vacuum cleaner and give the place a good clean, which I am sure you do anyway. Vacuum twice daily until the problem has gone, getting into corners. Vacuum / Clean up the sleeping area of your animal as well. 

Make sure you get right into the corners. Vacuum as much as possible and you will get rid of them. Fleas can live up to FIVE years without blood, they just lie in stasis, until you disturb them. They will not go away but just look for the nearest mammal. YOU or your family, and your pets! 

Generally though they only live for six weeks if active. 

Vacuuming well, this is your very best option. We mentioned this several years ago, now all sites mention this. Only 5 - 10% of fleas are on you or your animal at anytime, the rest are living in your home, or outside. By vacuuming this clears away eggs, larvae etc and breaks the cycle. 

For yourself, you can rub on chamomile lotion at night. Add salt to your bath at night or go paddling in the sea; this will help heal the bites more quickly. Rub your legs with some kind of bespoke insecticide or repellent. . OR Citronella Oil, TeaTree Oil, PennyFoogleal, Eucalyptus Oil, Lavender Oil, or Cedar Wood Oil, as they do not like these strong odors. Eating a lot of garlic is also good as a repellent but it does not only repel insects. 

Buy an insecticide spray and treat all rooms when poss. Spray a room getting in the corners and leave closed over night or when ever convenient. 

If a flea jumps onto your legs, grab it and make sure you crack it , or snap it, by breaking it in two with your nail. You will not be able to just crush it in between your fingers. You must break it in two OR grab it and run it under a tap and flush it away. 

Or have a tissue ready, grab the thing in the tissue and flush. 

Please email and ask again if need be 

I will answer further in between your email 

 

How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

Questions From You, About Fleas

We get around ten emails each day, asking about dogs, bedbugs, dustmites, mosquitoes, and fleas. Here are just a few about FLEAS - that may help you.

Whilst we try to report all the facts as accurately as possible, we will  not be made responsible for any mistakes or errors that maybe inadvertently made.

TERMS

The Flea - What is it?

 

How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

 

TRAINING YOUR BIG DOG - How To Train Your Big Dog

 

An order of secondarily wingless insects comprising the fleas. The body of a flea is laterally compressed and bears numerous backward-directed spines. Fleas live as blood-sucking ecto-parasites of mammals and birds, having mouthparts adapted to piercing their host, injecting saliva to prevent clotting, and sucking up the blood. The long bristly legs can transmit energy stored in the elastic body wall to leap relatively long distances (over 300 ;mm horizontally). Apart from causing irritation, fleas can transmit disease organisms, most notably bubonic plague bacteria, which can be carried from rats to humans by the rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopsis). The whitish wormlike legless larvae feed on organic matter. After two moults the larva spins a cocoon and undergoes metamorphosis into the adult.

A Dictionary of Biology, Oxford University Press, © Market House Books Ltd 2000

How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Eric Parr

To: Foogle Business

Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2002 4:47 PM 

Subject: Fleas? Driving me mad!

 

I've got a problem, and I have no clue what the problem is. Lemme try to explain.5 nights ago, I began feeling as though I was being bitten similar to mosquito bites. A lot of bites... I look at the area, and I see nothing.3 nights pass, and it gets so bad, that I can't sleep. Constantly being awoken by dozens of nibbles. I feel critters (fleas?) jumping around, and when they reach sensitive places (such as eyes/lips, I can feel them squirming to get loose. At first, I thought I had maybe insulation/fibreglass in my bedding. I took my entire bed down, soaked the air mattress for a few hours in hot water, washed all my linens 2 times, washed my pillows twice (in a washer), vacuumed the entire area a few times. Next night, I feel very little -- maybe a dozen bites. I slept like a baby after being kept awake for the last few nights. 

Then all of a sudden, last night, its worse then what it was before. And I do not know what is causing this. Either its entire colonisations of critters bedding down with me, or I have done lost my mind. I didn't get a wink of sleep last night, and am going to check into a hotel tonight. Does this sound like anything you have heard of before? I do not live with or near any pets, nor do I contact pets. I'm pretty much a clean individual -- shower daily (lately 2 times to get the biting to stop), clothes washed regularly, all household areas sanitized weekly, and vacuuming on a weekly basis. I do live in an apartment, and have been here for 7 months or so and this is the first time I've had this problem. 

When I moved in there was a lot of dog hair, and I meticulously cleaned several times. Is this a pest problem which I can not visibly seem to see that can bite this hard and become this annoying? I feel them, but I can't see them? Granted, my bedding is dark green, but with the sheer quantity of the pests that seem to be bothering me, id assume id have seen or captured a few of them by now. Maybe I need to see a psychologist.……

Sincerely,  Eric Parr

  

From: Foogle Business 

To: Eric Parr 

Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2002 6:27 PM 

Subject: Re: Fleas? Driving me mad!

Hi,

Thanx for writing to us. At first I am not too sure if you are being straight or not; maybe you were having a joke but then maybe not! Fleas are not big but can easily be seen by the naked eye, especially on light colors. So I do not think this is a flea problem, as you would see them on your skin if you have light skin. If not buy some white sheets, or place some white paper near the suspected area. With dogs you do not usually have too much bother with fleas, it is the cat-flea that causes most of the problems. But keep vacuuming. I think it might be something like fiberglass, or whisker shavings. Have you any friends who could put itching powder in your bed? Are you getting an allergy from something quite separate from your bedding? Are you washing your sheets in some bio powder that does not agree with your skin???? It is not dust mites, as they do not bite humans, the allergy comes from a reaction to their faeces. But Hoover material around bed. Place pillows in a tumble dryer for about 20 mins. There are bed bugs that drink blood but these are rare and quite big. Hope this helps, let me know. Good Luck.

Foogle

  

Hello Foogle

Thank you for the response! My apologies for not replying earlier. I do not think my problem is fleas. The problem is still very present in my home. I really do not know what it is that is causing this problem still. I have ruled out contact dermatitis at this time. I changed all products I use when eating/washing/cleaning etc to products that I have known to be safe in the past. But the problem still persists. Also tried Benadryl antihistamines (25mg and 50mg) but they haven't provided any relief either. Washed all clothing/bedding with detergent, which I have safely used in the past. People who I explain this story to seem to think my problem is caused by mites (either the scabies mite or spider/rat/bird mites). I set off a few permethrin based fogger in attempts to kill the mites (just did this last night and so far results seem to be good so far). Scabies mite is probably not my culprit as my problem goes away when I leave my home. Honestly, I’m really not sure what my problem is, but I do believe it is a mite at this time. I have found a lot of others complaining about this same problem, everyone seems confused about what is causing these types of symptoms and how to cure. Here are some areas where others are complaining of the same problems:

 

http://www.e-bug.net/forum/messages/3639.shtml

 

http://www.safe2use.com/scabiesboard/messages2002/29563.html

 

If my problem is bird mites, it seems very difficult to cure (remove birds nest, spray with permithrin and hope problem goes away). Some people are claiming that electronic ultrasonic devices took care of their bird mite infestations. Perhaps you would know about these electronic devices -- I heard they were a scam and in studies did not produce any results of pest control. Any ideas on this? Have you heard of people successfully using ultrasonic devices to deter fleas?

 

Thanks again Foogle

 

How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

A Flea

How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

I am writing to you asking how flea eggs look like.

I work at an emergency care facility and many of the young girls have lice. However, I'm not sure they are lice at times. Some of the eggs that are on furniture and bedding look like this: a small white sappy circular egg-like structure (smaller than a grain of rice) with small clear to very light white hairs sticking out of the sappy structure. When I pull the hairs apart, they want to stick together at the base- where the sticky white substance is.

I've been doing so much research, but I cannot find out what this is or where it may be coming from. And information would help a great deal.

Thank You,

How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

FLEA EGGS 

           They are about half the size of this.  

How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

----- Original Message -----

From: Zanteweb Support 

To: Foogle Business 

Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 10:38 AM

Subject: HELP FLEAS!! 

Please Help!! I have a dog that is kept outside of the house and regularly treated with Frontline. Two days ago I was sitting in my Bedroom (the whole house has tiled floors not carpets) and a flea landed on me. In total I found four fleas on my ankles. I am concerned as to where they have come from and what I should do. Is it possible that after playing with my dog I have brought them in? Or could they be human fleas? What can I do? 

Thanks 

Karen

  

From: Foogle Business

To: Zanteweb Support 

Sent: Friday, June 18, 2004 1:30 PM

Subject: Re: HELP FLEAS!! 

Hi Karen, 

Firstly read: 

http://www.Foogle Business/fleas.htm

 

This will help you understand the flea a bit more and relieve the panic. 

Have you any cats, are there any cats that live in the neighborhood? 

Most probably they are cat fleas, and your dog, as it is protected somewhat will NOT have fleas. 

There maybe fleas in your garden, that have hopped off cats that pass through. 

Fleas can be brought into the house on clothes and or legs. They are then attracted to carbon dioxide from your breath, warmth from your body, and vibrations as you walk. They will seek you out to feed on your blood. But they cannot hurt you. 

Very unlikely that they are human fleas. 

In any event, do not panic. All you can do in get out the vacuum cleaner and give the place a good clean, which I am sure you do anyway. 

Make sure you get right into the corners. 

If one jumps onto your legs, grab it and make sure you crack it , or snap it, by breaking it in two with your nail. 

Or have a tissue ready; grab the thing in the tissue and flush. 

It is hot where you are and they will be very active. 

Hope you will be OK!!! 

Let us know. 

Foogle 

Foogle Business 

 

How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

----- Original Message -----


From: EilidhSmith
To: Foogle Business
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 8:14 AM
Subject: FLEA BITES


CAN FLEAS BE PASSED HUMAN TO HUMAN.

From: Foogle Business
To: EilidhSmith


Hi there,

Fleas are very mobile creatures they can be passed to where ever they want.

Read: http://www.Foogle Business/fleas.htm  

Fleas are usually cat fleas that will live on and bite humans or any animal that is handy, they just prefer cats, as human fleas prefer humans. 95% of the time fleas do not live on animals; they live in our homes and only hop onto an animal to feed. So if you have fleas, it is the place / home you have, that has fleas not necessarily you. So if a person visits your home it might jump onto your guest who might then leave and the flea might then hop off in their home and then they might get fleas. It is not like getting a cold.

Thanx

Foogle
 Foogle Business
 

How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

  

----- Original Message -----

From: Leslie

To: Foogle Business

Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2004 7:24 PM

Subject: FLEAS ARE BITING ME!!!

Hi my name is Leslie I’m 16 yrs old and I live in southern California. Every year I dread the summer because of those pesky fleas. We do everything...groom our dog place bombs in the house and spray outside. There are three people living in our household but I’m the only one who gets bitten. I think my body has become immune to them and typically do not bother me but they leave yucky scars and I’m forced to wear pants on summer days. I’ve been researching on fleas for two hours and learned more helpful tips such as doing everything I was doing but way more often. Well my real question is that all these sites concentrate on treating the animal...how do I treat myself! I bathe regularly is it that I’m dirty???? Please please please can u help me out? 

MY e-mail address is ????

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Leslie

  

Hi Leslie

To have fleas being that bothersome you must have a few more than would be expected.

Have you a cat??

Your dog should be treated with something like Frontline, just grooming will not get rid of them. Only 5 - 10% will live on the dog or you and the rest are living in your home or outside; whatever.

Vacuum as much as possible as the vacuum cleaner is your best tool, especially in the corners.

For yourself, you can rub on camomile lotion at night. Add salt to your bath at night or go paddling in the sea; this will help heal the bites more quickly.

Rub your legs with some kind of insecticide or repellent. Or Citronella Oil, TeaTree Oil, PennyFoogleal, Eucalyptus Oil, Lavender Oil, or Cedar Wood Oil, as they do not like these strong odors.

Do not use these on your pet though especially the dog as they have very strong scents.

Eating a lot of garlic is also good as a repellent but it does not only repel insects.

Good Luck

Foogle

www.Foogle Business 

Thanks for the correction. Since I ordered the Frontline, off your website I haven't got bitten again  . . . well only once. Thank you again.

Leslie

 

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How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

----- Original Message -----

From: T Callen

To: Foogle Business

Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2004 2:33 PM

Subject: ******HELP !!! I THINK I HAVE FLEAS*******

 

I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF MY HOME HAS FLEAS. I DOG SAT FOR A FRIEND OF MINE ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN ITCHING LIKE CRAZY. I SEE SOME SMALL RED DOTS IN DIFFERENT PLACES OF MY BODY AS WELL AS MY ANKLES AND HANDS. As FAR AS SEEING AN ACTUAL FLEA, I AM NOT SURE. I DID FIND THIS WEIRD LOOKING BUG THAT WAS DEAD, 

BUT I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS A FLEA OR NOT. THE DOG HAS BEEN GONE FOR SOME TIME NOW, BUT EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE IS STILL ITCHING. SO MY QUESTIONS ARE: 

 

1. What should I look for to see if I have fleas? 

2. Can they still be around this long after the dog has left? 

3. What can I do to stop the itching if it is being caused by fleas? 

I look forward to hearing from you thank you

  

HI there, 

We got one email at 2.22 PM asking a question about fleas, and then another at 2.33 PM asking for HELP!!!. The mind boggles at what must have happened in between. 

Firstly read: 

http://www.Foogle Business/fleas.htm

This will help you understand the flea a bit more and relieve the panic. You most definitely have fleas but DON'T PANIC !!! 

Your dog sitting is most probably the cause. Most probably they are cat fleas. Fleas can also be brought into the house on clothes and or legs. They are then attracted to carbon dioxide from your breath, warmth from your body, and vibrations as you walk. They will seek you out to feed on your blood. But they cannot hurt you. They just leave small red dots at the wound site. 

In any event, do not panic. All you can do in get out the vacuum cleaner and give the place a good clean, which I am sure you do anyway. 

Make sure you get right into the corners. Vacuum as much as possible and you will get rid of them. Fleas can live up to FIVE years without blood. They will not go away but just look for the nearest mammal. YOU! 

For yourself, you can rub on camomile lotion at night. Add salt to your bath at night or go paddling in the sea; this will help heal the bites more quickly. Rub your legs with some kind of bespoke insecticide or repellent. Or TeaTree Oil, as they do not like this. Eating a lot of garlic is also good as a repellent but it does not only repel insect. 

If one jumps onto your legs, grab it and make sure you crack it , or snap it, by breaking it in two with your nail. 

Or have a tissue ready, grab the thing in the tissue and flush. 

It is hot now and they will be very active. 

Hope you will be OK!!! 

Let us know. 

Foogle 

www.Foogle Business

I will answer your questions in between them:

 

1. What should I look for to see if I have fleas? 

You can see the fleas, you can feel the flea as it 'bites' you. The flea does not bite, but it injects into you, similar to a mosquito. It first inject a chemical that helps blood flow and then it relaxes and then your body's blood-pressure siphons the flea-food (blood) into it. When it is full it drops off and finds a place to digest and reproduce.

 

2. Can they still be around this long after the dog has left? 

Fleas will drop off after feeding. They will find a corner to digest the food and then find another flea to reproduce. In a laboratory fleas were kept alive, in some hibernation or stasis, for FIVE years without food. They switch off, until they feel warmth, a vibration, or smell carbon dioxide.

 

3. What can I do to stop the itching if it is being caused by fleas? 

I look forward to hearing from you thank you

For yourself, you can rub on chamomile lotion at night. Add salt to your bath at night or go paddling in the sea; this will help heal the bites more quickly. Rub your legs with some kind of insecticide or repellent. Or Citronella Oil, TeaTree Oil, PennyFoogleal, Eucalyptus Oil, Lavender Oil, or Cedar Wood Oil, as they do not like these strong odors. Eating a lot of garlic is also good as a repellent but it does not only repel insect. 

 

How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

 Siphonaptera the FLEA

To siphon —noun. 

1. A tube shaped like an inverted V or U with unequal lengths, used to convey liquid from a container to a lower level by atmospheric pressure. 

2. A bottle from which aerated water is forced by the pressure of gas. — v. (often foll. by off) 1 (cause to) flow through a siphon. 2 divert or set aside (funds etc.). 

[Greek, = pipe]

How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes.

How to get rid of Fleas - FAQ's on Fleas - Frequently Asked Question on Fleas - Information on fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes. - Fleas, flees, fleese, phlees, phleas

Wingless insect of the order Siphonaptera, with blood-sucking mouthparts. Fleas are semi-parasitic on warm-blooded animals. Some fleas can jump 130 times their own height. Species include the human flea - Pulex irritans; the rat flea - Xenopsylla cheopsis, the transmitter of plague and typhus. Helped through central heating, the cat and dog fleas - Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis. One of the largest fleas is Histricopsylla talpae, which lives on the mole and is about 8 mm or 0.25 in long. - How to get rid of fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes. Fleas, flees, fleese, phlees, phleas         © COPYRIGHT 2000 - 2009 Foogle Business

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The Flea life cycle

Understanding how fleas live, and breed, makes it easier to understand the best methods available to eradicate a flea problem.

EGGS.   One female adult flea can lay anything from one to FORTY eggs each day, with the highest concentration of egg-laying occurring in the final two to three days of life. Eggs are oval, around 0.5mm long, white and rounded at both ends. The eggs are not sticky so once laid, they immediately fall onto the ground, wherever the host is at that time.

Depending upon the temperature and most importantly, humidity, the eggs will hatch into larvae within two to ten days. Humidity below 50% may cause them to dry out and become food for luckier hatchlings. The environment in which the eggs are deposited is therefore of prime consideration to flea survival rate and helps to explain why warmer winters and hot summers have increased flea populations considerably in recent years. Homes should be well aired and this will help the drying effect and possibly protect against not only fleas but also the dust-mite.

LARVAE. A larva will hatch from an egg using a chitin tooth - an egg splitting spine on its head. This disappears when the larva changes into the second of its three 'moults' or development stages. It is this tooth that is changed by modern oral flea treatments. Treatments contain an insect development inhibitor renders the chitin tooth ineffective, this prevents the larvae from cutting his way out.

Larvae are semi-transparent and sparsely covered in short hairs. They are usually white with a yellow-brownish head and are generally quite active. They are dependent on a diet of adult flea faeces for survival, but will also feed on other organic debris in your carpet. In this domestic environment, flea larvae are found at the base of the carpet pile, where they can encounter food, are sheltered by the canopy of carpet fiber and can keep away from direct light. So it is clear that the more powerful any vacuum cleaner you have the greater ability for it to suck these little varmints out and into the dust container for disposal.

PUPAE.   After the third moult, the larva moves to an undisturbed place to begin spinning a silk cocoon coated with particles of debris picked up from its surroundings for use as camouflage.   It is within the cocoon that the larvae turns into the next stage of development - the pupa. Pupae subjected to suitable hatching conditions can emerge as adult fleas as early as three to five days following pupation. From this stage, the adult flea develops. The fully formed adult flea remains in the cocoon until stimulated to hatch by, for example, warmth, vibration and even exhaled carbon dioxide from a passing potential host - which includes the human! 

Under certain laboratory conditions fleas have lived dormant like this for up to five years. So even an empty house can harbor these dangers until the unsuspecting new tenant moves in creating the phenomenon known as the 'pupal window' and you need to be aware of it before effective flea treatment can begin.

Environmental sprays and powders cannot readily penetrate the cocoon and therefore have no effect on the maturing adult inside if used on their own. These fleas continue to hatch from their protective cocoons and, unless the flea control regime is maintained, will be the source of the next generation of fleas ready to cause you and your dog more problems!

ADULTS  Almost immediately after the adult flea has hatched from its cocoon, it will begin looking for its first blood meal. Unlike the flea larva, which tends to move away from light, adult fleas move upwards and towards the light, in order to be in a better position to locate a suitable victim.

The flea's eyesight is not brilliant and so warmth and carbon dioxide in the air appear to be answerable for helping it find its goal. Air currents will be changed by a cat or dog moving past the adult flea, the carbon dioxide increases and the flea detects these changes and jumps in the hope of landing in close proximity to the waiting adult. Adult fleas have been known to jump as many as 10,000 times in succession, whilst trying to leap onto a passing cat or dog - the flea knows they are close by but it's more a question of luck than judgment when trying to make a successful connection between the hooks on the flea's legs and the fur on the cat or dog.

However, once satisfactorily 'anchored', the flea will immediately begin to feed and the females will begin laying eggs after only 48 hours after the first feed. Before drinking the blood, the flea secretes special enzymes within its saliva into the wound. This substance softens and spreads the skin tissue, assisting with feeding. More helpfully the saliva contains an anti-coagulant making the blood flow. This saliva is usually the cause of allergic reactions in cats, dogs - and humans.

Once on a suitable host, the adult fleas will remain there until they die, which is usually within one or two weeks. Unfortunately for the pet, although providentially for the parasite population, females tend to live longer than males and there are naturally more females than males. If the animal is left to groom itself normally and cats groom more thoroughly than dogs on the whole, many adult fleas will be dislodged or swallowed naturally. However, if for any reason, the animal is unable to groom itself - it may be ill for example, then the owner should groom it more frequently than usual, to complement their pet's natural methods of flea control.

 

 

 
Thank You ! 
 
How to get rid of Fleas - FAQ's on Fleas - Frequently Asked Question on Fleas - Information on fleas - FLEAS - any member of the insect order Siphonaptera. Fleas are sometimes called parasites, but not all fleas are parasites in the strictest sense. Many fleas live and feed totally on the exterior of the host, this makes them ecto-parasitic, but many fleas just use the host to feed. The domestic flea, that is the flea that plagues our home, is generally the Cat-Flea - Ctenocephalides Felis, and not the dog or human flea. This flea actually lives in our home, and only jumps onto a mammal, that is our cat, dog, or us, when it wants to feed. The flea then hops off and the main part of its life is spent in and around our homes. - Fleas, flees, fleese, phlees, phleas

 

 

This is an email we received and like many answered it in between the paragraphs so it was much clearer to understand.

 

From: Slobodanka B

To: Foogle Business

Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 4:13 AM

Subject: PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTION ABOUT FLEAS!

 

Hi Sloba 

Below I have laid out a few pointers but will answer also in between YOUR email to give clearer points. Thanx. 

Firstly read throughout: 

http://www.Foogle Business/fleas.htm  and our TERMS

http://www.Foogle Business/termsandconditions.htm

This will help you understand the flea a bit more and relieve the panic. You most definitely have fleas but DON'T PANIC !!! 

Most probably they are cat fleas. Fleas can also be brought into the house on clothes and or legs. They are then attracted to carbon dioxide from your breath, warmth from your body, and vibrations as you walk. They will seek you out to feed on your blood. But they cannot hurt you. They just leave small red dots at the wound site. 

In any event, do not panic. All you can do in get out the vacuum cleaner and give the place a good clean, which I am sure you do anyway. 

Make sure you get right into the corners. Vacuum as much as possible and you will get rid of them. Fleas can live up to FIVE years without blood. They will not go away but just look for the nearest mammal. YOU! 

For yourself, you can rub on camomile lotion at night. Add salt to your bath at night or go paddling in the sea; this will help heal the bites more quickly. Rub your legs with some kind of bespoke insecticide or repellent. Or TeaTree Oil, as they do not like this. Eating a lot of garlic is also good as a repellent but it does not only repel insect. 

If one jumps onto your legs, grab it and make sure you crack it , or snap it, by breaking it in two with your nail. 

Or have a tissue ready, grab the thing in the tissue and flush. 

It is hot now and they will be very active. 

Hope you will be OK!!! 

Let us know. 

Foogle 

www.Foogle Business 

Read Below in between your email.

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Slobodanka B

To: Foogle Business

Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 4:13 AM

Subject: PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTION ABOUT FLEAS!

 

HI, 

MY FAMILY HAS HAD AN OUTSIDE CAT FOR TWO YEARS AND RECENTLY HE WAS ATTACKED BY FLEAS. WE TRIED ALL KINDS OF TREATMENTS FROM THE SHAMPOOS TO THE FLEA TREATMENTS. (BOTH FROM WAL-MART) 

A lot of store stuff does not really work, and then only for a short while.

WELL, THE OTHER DAY WE WENT TO THE VET AND BOUGHT A PREVENTATIVE AND ON THAT EXACT DAY OUR CAT, MARIO, NEVER CAME BACK. IT'S BEEN FIVE DAYS HE HASN'T COME BACK, 

I am sorry but the treatment that the vet will have given, whilst normally OK can kill some animals due to its strength. But I feel sure your cat will return soon.

BUT THE FLEA PROBLEM IS THAT THEY ARE JUMPING AROUND THE WHOLE GARAGE. (WHERE OUR CAT WOULD EAT, SLEEP, AND GO TO THE BATHROOM) CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US, WHAT CAN WE DO? 

All you