Page updated 30 September 2007
Ectoparasites - Fleas
Introduction
There are many species of these wingless insects. Eggs are laid in floors, carpets or pets' bedding. In Britain now, most bites are by the cat flea or the dog flea (Ctenocephalides felis and C. canis). The eggs and larvae can survive for months in an empty house and then reactivate in response to pet or human activity.
Transmission
The flea jumps from infected resting area of cat or dog onto a human, bites, feeds and jumps off again.
Treatment
- Recommended bathing and antipruritics
- At home, vacuum suction cleaning and use of proprietary insecticides are the quickest way to eliminate fleas
- Treat animals and their bedding with proprietary insecticide
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