Fleas

Fleas are brown blood sucking insects that feed on warm blooded animals. They are between 1½ - 5 mm in length and oval in shape.  Fleas have powerful legs adapted for jumping. They are also very thin to enable them to move easily through the hairs of their host.

Fleas lay their eggs on their host or in the animal's nest or bedding. The eggs develop into immobile, non-feeding insects known as pupa, from which the adult fleas emerge when stimulated by vibration i.e. when an animal or human walks by.

Fleas can stay in the pupal stage for up to a year before emerging into adults and as adults survive a year without a host, which is why empty houses can harbour active fleas long after the host, such as a domestic cat, has left.

There are several species of flea including human, cat and dog fleas. Although each species has a preferred host, both cat and dog fleas can be found on, and feed from, other animals including humans. Of all the species the cat flea is the most commonly found in homes.  As well as being found on the host, fleas can often be found in the host's bedding.

It is fair to say that practically all cats will pick up fleas at one time or another and it is wise to take precautions against this, such as fitting a flea collar.

Fleas are known carriers of disease and can also be responsible for the transmission of parasitic worms.  They are generally not responsible for the spread of infection but do inflict unpleasant, irritating bites on their host.  The irritation can last for a couple of days and, in some cases, can lead to hypersensitivity.  However, it can be relieved by applying lotions available from chemists/vets.