Kingdom animalia
Phylum Arthropod
Class Insecta
Order Siphonaptera
Fleas are small, wingless, long-legged insects with a flat, dark brown body covered in plaques. They are excellent jumpers, being able to jump approximately eighteen centimeters vertically and thirty-three horizontally; and very resistant, thanks to the presence of plates on the surface of its body. There are more than 3000 species spread all over the world, except Antarctica.
Adult fleas can go months without feeding, allowing them to survive for a long time, even when nutritional supply is scarce. Many of them feed on the blood of mammals and birds, thanks to their mouthparts adapted to pierce and suck: they are ectoparasites.
Each female can release about 500 eggs; and these are released outside the host's body, into nests, holes, soil, and even into carpets and floor crevices. From them, in approximately twelve days, larvae emerge. They feed on waste, skin debris and other waste, and go through three stages, in which skin changes occur. Afterwards, they form cocoons, transform into pupae and, after this stage, acquire an adult form.
Fleas can cause “foot bugs” and also cause illnesses, which are related to their eating habits. As tapeworm eggs are part of the larvae's menu, they can be hosts for this worm, transmitting it to other animals. This can occur, for example, when pets lick the wounds caused by the flea, ingesting the contaminated insect; and in the case of humans, when playing with the pet and accidentally ingesting one or more fleas containing the parasite. Bubonic plague and murine typhus are transmitted through flea bites; and this act, or even direct contact with the insect in question, can cause allergies.
Considering the disorders that fleas tend to cause, there are numerous ways to eliminate such animals. The use of growth regulators, growth inhibitors, pesticides, specific veterinary products for pets and repellents are some of them. It is important to talk to a veterinarian, zootechnician or even a fumigation professional to analyze what is the most suitable measure for your specific case, and how to proceed.
As it is not always low cost, and in some cases the treatment is not effective in the long term, preventing flea infestation may be a more effective measure. Thus, taking care of your pet's hygiene, cleaning the place where he sleeps, and also washing his objects once a week; eliminate cracks in the floor, frequently vacuum carpets and rugs, mow the lawn and keep the garden up to date; are very effective measures.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
