Fleas
Fleas
Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body, such as pets or even humans. If you have a rodent issue, chances are that you may also get a flea problem as when the mouse or rat is dead the fleas they carry will look for a new host. But in general flea problems occur mostly in houses with pet dogs or cats. Flea bites generally cause painful, itchy red bumps. Most importantly, fleas can transmit diseases and they are hard to get rid of.
There are several types of flea but in Australian households, the cat flea is the most common and is usually the species found on cats and dogs in homes. The dog flea looks and acts like the cat flea but is less common. The true human flea is the least common. Other species of fleas are associated with most other warm-blooded animals and may on occasion bite humans. Flea control should be directed to pets to kill adult fleas and to breeding sites to eliminate both young and adult fleas.
Adult fleas are small insects (under 7mm) of dark reddish-brown colour. They lack wings and have laterally compressed bodies enabling them to move easily through body hairs. They have three pairs of legs with the back pair very powerful modified for jumping. Female fleas deposit their eggs on their hosts, in pet bedding, on floors and furniture, or on other accessible places. Eggs laid on the host are not firmly attached and soon fall off. In a few days the eggs hatch into tiny larvae that feed on dirt, body wastes of adult fleas, and many kinds of debris. In about 12 days the full-grown larvae change to pupae and then to adults. The adults immediately search for animals upon which to feed.
Fleas transmit Fleabite Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) to cats and dogs, which causes loss of hair on various parts of their body. Fleas also transmit the dog tapeworm parasite – which can also affect small children. The fleas commonly found on rats and other small outdoor mammals can transmit bubonic plague and typhus to humans.
Handy tips:
- Control flea outbreaks by vacuuming carpets and rugs every two days. Vacuum under the beds where dust accumulates.
- Vacuum pet bedding regularly and don't allow pets to crawl under the house. The dry dirt under there is the perfect flea breeding ground.
- Dispose of the vacuum bag in an airtight plastic bag and discarded as soon as the house has been cleaned to get rid of the accumulated flea larvae and pupae.
- Treat pets with washes, powders, 'spot' preparations or treatments recommended by your vet.
- INDOORS SOLUTIONS
MORTEIN FAST KNOCKDOWN MULTI PURPOSE INSECT KILLER
Mortein Fast Knockdown Multi Purpose Insect Killer is designed to kill both flying and crawling insects FAST.
MORTEIN EASY REACH SURFACE SPRAY
Mortein Easy Reach Surface Spray is designed to kill crawling insects in hard to reach places and lures and kills continuously for up to 6 months.
MORTEIN ODOURLESS SURFACE SPRAY
Mortein Odourless Surface Spray is kind to sensitive noses and kills crawling insects fast!
MORTEIN HIGH PERFORMANCE SURFACE SPRAY
Mortein High Performance Surface Spray is specially formulated to kill crawling insects fast and provide barrier protection for up to 6 months.
MORTEIN DO-IT-YOURSELF CONTROL BOMBS
Mortein Do-It-Yourself Control Bombs are a complete Do-It-Yourself product to kill multiple insect infestations such as cockroaches, fleas, spiders, silverfish, carpet beetles, moths and ants in the home.
MORTEIN FLEA BOMBS
Mortein Flea Bomb kills flea infestations and breaks the flea breeding cycle ensuring fleas in their egg or larval stage are unable to mature into adult biting fleas. Mortein Flea Bomb has a residual action to keep fleas away for up to 9 months.