Are you facing sleepless nights due to worrying about your dog or cat who just won't stop scratching? The chances of it being a flea infestation are high, but how do you confirm if it is? In this article, you will learn how to identify a flea and what signs of an infestation to look out for.

How Big is a Flea? What does it Look like to the Human Eye?

The size of a flea is between 1.5mm to 4mm, however, females are bigger than males. Although they are tiny in size, they are visible to the human eye.

Fleas vary in colour, they can be brown, reddish-brown, or black. They are wingless, having a flat body of 6 feet which enables them to jump from one host to another. 

Since they are small, fast, and can jump as high as 30cms, it is a challenge to spot an infestation easily.

Does a Single Flea mean an Infestation?

If you found a single flea on any of your clothing, the chances are that they probably caught on to you while you were outside. Since it takes more than one insect to reproduce and lead to an infestation in your home, you would not need to worry if you only found a single flea.

However, if you found more than one in your home within a short duration, get a home inspection for an infestation.

Symptoms of an Infestation

• Excessive Scratching: If your cat/dog has become a host to fleas, then they would excessively scratching and biting themselves by now. Since these insects are known to suck on the blood of their host and cause them great discomfort, your dog/cat's itch would not go unnoticed but would be the first sign you spot.
• Black or White Flecks: Finding white, black, or brown flecks on your cat/dog's bedding or body is another sign of an infestation. The white flecks are their eggs while the brown ones are their dirt.
• Loss of Fur: A flea's bite causes an allergic reaction known as alopecia which leads to hair loss. If you notice this, contact your vet as soon as you can.
• Pale Gums: As they suck too much of your cat/dog's blood, even though new red blood cells are produced, it is still not enough which leads to anaemia.
• Flea Bites: When you notice red itchy and stingy bite marks on your body, do not mistake it for a mosquito bite but pay more attention to it and get a home inspection. Usually, these marks are found on your ankle if they are on your carpet as that is the closest part of your body for them to suck on.
• You See Them Hopping Around: If you see a live insect jumping around, do not wait any longer and call a pest control expert at once!

Where do They Live in Your Home?

They love humid, dusty and shady places in your home. Therefore, you can find them in your backyard, carpets and rugs, etc. 

However, on your cats and dogs, there are few places which they prefer and which you should inspect while looking for these insects.

• Where do They Live on Cats? On your cat, you would probably find them around the neck, head, back, and belly, but rarely on the tail or legs.
• Where do They Live on Dogs? On your dog, you should inspect their belly, lower back, legs and chest.
• Other Places in Your Home to Inspect: Your cat/dog's bedding, furniture, carpets, rugs, and backyard are some other places that you should inspect for pests.
• Can They Live on Humans? Due to the lack of excess hair for them to hide inside, they do not live on humans. However, that doesn't prevent them from feeding on human blood from time to time.
• Can They Live without a Host? They can only live for up to 100 days without a host but nothing longer as they depend on their blood meal for longer life and reproduction.

Can You get Fleas even if You don't have a Dog or Cat?

Of course! As mentioned above, they not only suck on the blood of cats and dogs but also humans and other animals like squirrels, rodents, etc.

How to Control and Prevent a Pest Infestation?

• Flea Home Remedies:

1. If you have fleas in your carpet or rug, you can sprinkle salt and leave it for a week and later vacuum it. The salt acts like a dehydration solution and eliminates their larvae.
2. You can leave a bowl of soapy water on your rug with a desk lamp above. The light from the lamp would draw the adults to jump into the bowl, and the solution would kill them.
3. Additionally, you can even scrub your carpets with baking soda and vacuum them later.

• Keep Your Home as Clean as Possible: Since they like dusty places, ensure you clean your home thoroughly and regularly and wash your cat/dog bedding every week to prevent the presence of fleas or build-up of larvae.

• Professional Flea Services: The best and most efficient solution to remove them from your home is to get a professional pest control service to eliminate them as soon as possible and prevent any future infestations.

About the Author: Muzi Tsolakis is the founder of Protech Pest Control Australia, popular for its variety of pest control services and an eco-friendly flea treatment.