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Fleas & Ticks
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Fleas have no friends. They are parasites of warm blooded animals, particularly dogs and cats. Throughout the ages they have made life miserable for both man and beast.
Relief is available through the application of modern pest management technology.
BIOLOGY
Although there are over 2000 species of flea, the most common is the cat flea. Despite its name, (and preference) it is adaptable and is found living on both cats and dogs. Occasionally they bite humans when desperate for a blood meal to provide protein for egg production.
Several hundred eggs are laid during a female's lifetime. Small, white and smooth, the eggs freely drop off to cause infestation in areas frequented by the host.
White, legless larvae hatch and feed on food debris, skin scales and the blood-rich faeces of the adult flea. About two weeks later, the larvae spin a silken cocoon, pupate and await the vibrations that signify the passing of prospective host. This may explain why hordes of fleas appear "on cue" when you enter your home after being away on holidays. Nevertheless, fleas can remain in virtual hibernation in the pupal stage for up to a year and still survive.
Adult fleas have flattened bodies and they move easily through dense hair or fur. Each of the six legs has a pair of claws at the tip to enable them to remain attached regardless of scratching. The hind legs are well developed for jumping onto a passing host.
A flea population builds rapidly. With female fleas laying hundreds of eggs, most of which proceed through the larval stages to adult, and with a spring and early summer life cycle as short as 21 days, a plague of fleas is an almost yearly occurance.
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Cat Flea
Most common parasite on dogs and cats.
Bites often lead to "summer itch"
Environmental treatment MUST be
accompanied by pet treatment.
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Adult fleas have flattened bodies and they move easily through dense hair or fur. Each of the six legs has a pair of claws at the tip to enable them to remain attached regardless of scratching. The hind legs are well developed for jumping onto a passing host.
A flea population builds rapidly. With female fleas laying hundreds of eggs, most of which proceed through the larval stages to adult, and with a spring and early summer life cycle as short as 21 days, a plague of fleas is an almost yearly occurance.
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Life Cycle: The cycle may take 18 days or more than 12 months. Adults can live up to 4 months without a blood meal. Mature pupae may live up to 4 months without a blood meal. If the lavae has been very well fed, pupae may survive up to a year.
Adult Fleas: The adult fleas are blood suckers feeding on dogs, cats and pigs, some feed on birds. Fleas breed on the host animal. The female usually lays 4 to 8 eggs after each blood meal. Eggs are laid on the host animal. It is important to treat the animal on the same day as treatment is applied to the home and surrounds.
Eggs: The eggs fall off the host animal and are distributed to areas visited by that animal. Fleas eggs will usually hatch within 2 to14 days.
Larvae: Flea larvae feed on available organic material such as; crumbs, human skin scales, in carpets, cracks in floor boards and sub-floor soil.
Pupa: The larvae pupates within the cocoon, during the pupal stage, the pupa may fully develop in as little as 7 to 14 days, but can remain dormant in the environment for many months.
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Legs: All red-brown in colour and are placed at the front half of the body.
Body: Oval in shape with brown colour on pale tortoise shell like line markings.
Head: Red-brown in colour, oval in shape with the widest part towards the mid-section.
Situation: Primary host is the dog. This tick is found in tropical and sub-tropical areas in association with human habitation, i.e. homes, stables, kennels and other buildings with a constant temperature of above 20 degrees celsius. Ticks can live between floorboards, bricks and other structual parts. Can be a considerable problem to eradicate. |
Legs: Front and back pair are brown, the others are pale cream in colour. Legs are situated in the front quarter of the body.
Body: An engorged female's body is pear to oval in shape and is a greyish colour.
Head: Brown, oval and wide at rear, pale, pointed, long proboscis (snout) at front.
Situation: Native tick, lives mainly on bandicoots and small marsupials, but attacks domestic animals and people. Will kill dogs, cats and calves. Animals appear to stagger and appear unsteady when standing. Pets should be checked daily in areas where paralysis tick is common. |
Legs: Wide spaced between the first pair of legs and the snout. Legs are pale cream in colour and extend half way alond the side of the body.
Body: Almost rectangular to oval in shape. Blue grey in colour when engorged, can have yellow irregular lines on shell.
Head: Brown, oval and wider in the front with a short proboscis.
Situation: Mostly found on cattle, but can also be found on dogs, horses, goats and pigs. may be seen at any time of the year, but are most prolific in summer and autumn. They are often senn crawling on grass waiting for a passing host. |
Flea and Tick images courtesy Bayer Animal Health
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