In the United States the Cat Flea is the most common flea found, There are however many different flea species.
BIOLOGY
The cat flea will remain on the host, unless it is someone forced off and will live up to 1 year. The female lays her eggs on the host which will then fall to the ground. With in a few days the egg will hatch at which time the flea larva will begin to feed on organic debris as well as fecal matter from the adult flea. The fecal matter from the adult flea will contain dried blood, which will help the larva to develop to the pupa stage. This fecal matter will be found wherever the host pet spends the most time, as it is falling off the host. The time from egg to adult can take place in as few as 2 weeks or up to several months depending on the conditions.
The Cat Flea may carry the bubonic plague. It is commonly found on cats and dogs.
IDENTIFICATION
Flea species are all similar in appearance. They are all wingless with long hind legs for jumping. They are black to reddish black and have spiny legs as well as rows of spines along the body called “combs”. The combs is how you can best identify the flea species. The genal comb is a row below the head, and the pronotal comb is a row behind the head, at the back of pronotum. The Cat Flea will have both combs. it has eyes present, the genal comb is horizontally placed, and the first 2 spines on the genal comb are the same length. Flea larva aree usally white in color, unless they have fed on the fecal matter from the adults, when they would be more of a red in color.
HOW TO CONTROL THE CAT FLEA
The only way to control fleas is to first eliminate the flea population from the host. A proper shampoo and medication prescribed by your veterinarian will be the best way to do that. After or while the process in taking place, you will want to contact a professional pest control operator ( Main Sail Pest Control ) to treat your carpeted areas. You should always vacuum the carpets before the pest control operator arrives and after the the first treatment is completed. This will adjudicate the larva in the carpets and will bring then to the service where the pesticide is. A proper treatment will will involve a residual pesticide as well as an insect growth regulator ( IGR ). The insect growth regulator or IGR, will prevent the flea larva and eggs from being able to reproduce.