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Home > Cat flea

Photo By Erturac , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

Cat flea

Ctenocephalides felis

A species of Ctenocephalides

The cat flea is common throughout the United States, particularly in homes with pets. The tiny insect is wingless, but its powerful back legs allow it to easily jump through fur, hair, and feathers. Adult females require blood for egg production, and the only time the insect is presents on cats.

Bite Humans

Pathogenic

Hematophagy

Allergenic

General Info About Cat flea

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Attributes of Cat flea

Biting/stinging

The Cat flea may bite humans actively. Please stay away from it.

Allergy-causing

The Cat flea has special defensive behaviors that can trigger an allergic reaction. If there are serious reactions, seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.

Defensive attack

Not reported

Venomous

Not reported

Non-poisonous

The Cat flea is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.

Borer

Not reported

Pollinator

Not reported

Pest-Eating Predatory

Not reported

Phytophagous

Not reported

Predatory

The Cat flea typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.

Biting animal or pet

Yes

Mouthparts Type

Piercing-sucking mouthparts

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Life Cycle of Cat flea

Egg The egg of cat flea is small and whitish, laid in batches. At this stage, there's no locomotion or sensory perception, as the creature is just an oocyte preparing to hatch.

Larva The larval cat flea is blind and worm-like, lacking legs or wings. It molts several times as it grows, feeds on organic debris, and avoids light, preferring hidden environments.

Pupal Encased in a cocoon, the pupa of cat flea undergoes significant transformation. Internally, the structures of the adult form develop, but from the outside, it appears dormant.

Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult cat flea's development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.

Adult Size of Cat flea

2 mm

Predators of Cat flea Larvae

Ants, beetles, cockroaches, mites, fungi

Predators of Adult Cat flea

Antlions, spiders, frogs, lizards

Interesting Facts About Cat flea

Cat flea can jump 150 times its own length, making it one of the best jumpers of all known animals, relative to body size.

Scientific Classification of Cat flea

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Tips for Finding Cat flea

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How Can You Attract Cat flea

In general, cat flea can be attracted using warmth, carbon dioxide, and potential hosts (such as pets) as cues for their presence.

Habitat Preferences of Cat flea Through Different Life Stages

The eggs of cat flea are often found in carpets, cracks of floors, and pet bedding as these areas provide a warm environment suitable for hatching. Larvae tend to dwell in similar concealed locations rich in organic debris for nourishment. As for pupae, they are likely located in hidden, undisturbed places like deep carpet fibers or far corners of a room. Adults, being external parasites, are mainly found on the host, predominantly domestic cats and secondarily dogs, where they feed on blood. To search for them, inspect homely environments, focusing on pet resting areas, employing a fine-toothed comb for adults, and a thorough vacuuming can reveal the presence of other life stages.

When is the Best Time to Observe Cat flea

The best time to look for adult cat flea is when they are most active, typically during warm and humid conditions, as they thrive in temperatures of 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels of 70 percent.

What is the Best Weather to Observe Cat flea

Moist, warm climates and indoor environments where the temperature and humidity are controlled are where cat flea can usually be found year-round.

How and Where Can You Find Cat flea at Different Life Stages

Egg Cat flea eggs are usually found in dark, moist places where pets rest, sleep, and spend a lot of time. Inspect pet bedding, carpets, and cracks in the flooring for tiny, white, oval-shaped eggs.

Larva Larvae of cat flea can often be discovered upon close examination of pet bedding, deep carpet fibers, or underneath furniture and cushions, where they avoid light and feed on organic debris and adult flea feces.

Pupal Cat flea pupae can be challenging to find as they are usually hidden in carpets, floor cracks, or beneath furniture. Search in protected, undisturbed locations where pets rest. Pupae are contained within a cocoon which may adhere to carpet fibers or other substrates.

Adult Adult cat flea can be found on the host — typically cats or dogs — by using a flea comb to check through the pet's fur, especially around the neck and tail area. Additionally, they might be spotted hopping on carpets, pet bedding, or furniture.

Are Cat flea harmful?

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Cat flea can bite pets and humans and have the possibility of spreading many diseases.

Where do Cat flea come from?

Contact with wild animals. Wild animals like possums, chipmunks, and raccoons have a high probability of having fleas. It is likely for pets to contract fleas when chasing wild animals. It is also likely for humans to contract fleas when feeding and petting wild animals.

A sunless environment. Even families with no pets can have flea issues. A large number of records show that 95% of the flea infection is caused by the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the cleaning of the house, garden, garage, storage room, basement, and furniture.

What is the most effective prevention against Cat flea?

Keeping the environment dry. Turn on the dehumidifier to lower the moisture indoors. A moist environment can cause the exponential population development of fleas. A dry environment can reduce the lifespan of the fleas.

Clean pets and their surrounding areas. Fleas can spread among pets. When there is one pet that has fleas, it is necessary to clean all the pets. At this time, it is necessary to take action to clean and use pesticides and growth regulators for all areas where your pets are active and surrounding areas.

Internal and external methodologies. You can choose to use a collar, a spray, a power, a cleaner, an injection or an oral prescription. These products can numb or kill fleas and other parasites.

Mowing the lawn. Fleas like to rest in grass and soil. As a result, it is very important to cut the grass. Exposure to the sun is enough to kill the fleas. You can also use sprays for fleas directly on the lawn.

How to get rid of Cat flea?

Follow the following direction after flea bites:

Wash the wound. Using clean water to rinse the wound can remove the saliva residue from the fleas which reduces the sense of pain and itch from the bite.

Avoid scratching. Curb the urge to scratch the wound. You can topically use general-purpose anti-itch cream or use ice patches to alleviate itchiness.

Consult a doctor. If the flea causes you unbearable pain or itch, or if you have already been infected by tapeworms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible and take medicine as directed by the doctor.

Fleas like warm and moist weathers, due to winters becoming warmer and fleas' resistance to drugs, it is hard to prevent the flea population from exponential growth by taking only one type of measure. Multiple measures that complement each other need to be used to accomplish the goal of eradicating fleas.

Clean affected clothing. Wash textiles, sheets, and clothes that are affected by the fleas. Using hot water can ensure the killing of fleas during all of their development stages. You can use a steam iron to iron clothes that cannot be washed.

Use a vacuum cleaner. Frequently use a vacuum cleaner to clean the internal of the house, particularly paying attention to the backside of the curtains, the bottom edge of the furniture, and where pets sleep. Vacuum cleaners can effectively clean 50% of flea eggs.

Use flea specific pesticides. You can purchase carpet powder or spray from the store specifically for killing fleas and apply them around the pet's activity areas. This type of pesticides include insecticides and insect growth regulators. They not only can kill adult fleas but also can prevent eggs and larvas from developing. This method is the most effective when used with a vacuum cleaner.

Remove the fleas from the pets. Use a fine-toothed comb to brush all the hair of the pets. Brushing the pets when their hairs are still wet is the best way to remove fleas and flea eggs from the pets.

Use smells that are unpleasant to fleas. Fleas do not like the smell of orange, lavender, cedar, apple, and vinegar. You can make them into water-soluble sprays and apply them everywhere to expel fleas.

Harmful Effects of Cat flea

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Bite Humans

Pathogenic

Hematophagy

Bite Humans

Cat flea occasionally bite humans when their preferred host, primarily domestic cats, are unavailable. They use their specialized mouthparts to pierce skin and feed on blood, causing itchy, red welts and potentially transmitting diseases like cat scratch fever.

Cause Disease in Humans

Cat flea can transmit pathogens to humans like Bartonella henselae, causing Cat Scratch Fever. Humans may contract diseases through bites or scratches, leading to symptoms such as fever and lymph node swelling. Long-term, these infections can result in complications, especially for immunocompromised individuals.

Does Cat flea consume human blood?

Cat flea exclusively consumes the blood of mammals, particularly pets like cats and dogs, and can feed on humans. Their specialized mouthparts pierce skin, allowing them to siphon blood directly. This behavior can transmit pathogens, causing irritation and potentially severe diseases in hosts.

More Effects of Cat flea