Fleas why they bite

Fleas are certainly an itchy annoyance to cats and dogs, but did you know they can bite and transmit disease to humans, too? Fleas can cause allergic dermatitis and are the most common transmitter of the albeit rare but still present bubonic plague. Unfortunately, the answer is yes, fleas do bite humans. These parasites commonly appear during the warmer months and feed on the blood of any warm-blooded mammal, people and pets included. Able to jump as high as times their own height, these pests can easily transport themselves inside a home by latching onto pets playing in the yard as well as to shoes, pant legs and picnic blankets.

Fleas will infest areas where pets and people sleep, such as bedding and carpeting, and then rapidly multiply, as females are able to produce offspring over their day lifespan.

Although pet owners are primarily at risk for flea infestations, these biting pests can also be brought into yards via wild animals like raccoons or skunks and then make their way into homes. Unlike tick or mosquito bites , they remain small and usually appear in groups of three or four, or in a straight line. Contact your local pest control expert to discuss options. Call Residential Commercial.

Flea Bites on Human. Resources Flea Home Protection. Sand Fleas. Can Fleas Fly? Can People Get Fleas from Cats? For humans, the risk of contracting another disease from the flea is very small. Yet bacteria can get into your body through the bite and cause an infection, especially if you scratch it. An infected bite will turn red, warm, and it may release pus. Fleabites can also cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to them.

Symptoms can range from raised welts on the skin to difficulty breathing. Fleabites can also cause complications in pets, such as allergic reactions and even anemia from blood loss. Fleas prefer to live on your dog or cat, but they can also take up residence on another animals, or on you. If the population grows, fleas can branch out and begin living in carpets, bedding, or your yard. A bad flea infestation can be very obvious.

Try walking on your carpet wearing white socks. Look at your socks afterward. If you see tiny black bugs, those are likely fleas. Fleabites in dogs look a lot like they do on human skin. They form tiny red bumps, sometimes with a red circle around them. One telltale sign that your dog has been bitten is a lot of scratching. Yes, fleas will bite pet-less humans, too. Just as pet owners have to treat their homes if they become infested, getting rid of an outdoor flea infestation may require you to treat your yard.

If you find yourself battling tiny red bites after a day in your yard, consult a pest control expert. You might see one bite, or a cluster of several bites. Female mosquitoes leave these bumps behind when they feed on your blood. Usually, mosquito bites are harmless, but in people with a weakened immune system they can cause symptoms like a fever or headache. To treat a mosquito bite, wash the area with warm water and soap.

If the itch bothers you, hold an ice pack to the bites, take an antihistamine, or rub on an over-the-counter anti-itch medicine. Mosquitoes can also transmit diseases such as West Nile virus. Using a few preventive measures around your house can help you avoid the itch of mosquito bites, and reduce your risk of getting a more serious infection. Bedbugs are another tiny critter that feeds on human blood.

Unlike fleas, bedbugs only come out at night. Unlike fleabites, which are most commonly found around the feet and ankles, bedbugs bite the upper body. The three main species of flea that infest humans are:. The cat and dog flea are common in Australia.

A flea bite is intensely itchy and secondary infections caused by scratching are common. Adult fleas can survive for some months without feeding. The flea uses its saw-like mandibles jaws to cut through skin, usually on accessible parts of the body such as the legs or feet. Flea saliva contains anticoagulants to encourage the blood to keep flowing.

Female fleas are prompted to lay their eggs after feeding. The eggs are light coloured and oval shaped. The larvae cocoon themselves within weeks of hatching. Vibration, such as footsteps, prompts adult fleas to emerge from their cocoons. This is why you may be bitten after entering a house that has been unoccupied for some time.

Your pet may be irritated by flea bites and scratch often. Check for fleas by parting the fur, particularly around the ears and rump. Look for the fleas themselves or for flea faeces poo. Flea faeces look like miniscule dark specks. For a positive identification, place a few of the specks on a piece of lightly moistened white tissue. Flea faeces will leech a ring of blood into the tissue. Infested animals should be treated fortnightly for several weeks.

Suggestions on treating your pet include:. Your local council can offer information and advice on dealing with a flea infestation. Some general suggestions on eliminating fleas yourself include:.