The flea is a parasite insect, that is, it lives at the expense of other animals, feeding from their blood. It affects cats and dogs, feeding and reproducing during long periods of time. When in great number, besides provoking anaemia they may be responsible for allergic problems and transmission of other parasites.

Multiplication

A single female flea can lay up to 20 eggs a day. As with the majority of the insects, fleas have a great capacity of multiplying themselves. It is considered that at the end of its reproductive life a single one flea has laid eggs in a volume of 1500 time equivalent to its own. The larvae feed of the flea-mother's excrements forming cocoons from where are born new fleas.

Places

Humid floors with grooves and cracks are the favourite places for the laying. Most of the animals, even dogs, are infested with cat fleas. Although the laying being made in the host, the eggs easily fall in the ground and they grow, waiting for a new host (or of the same for that matter) to start a new life cycle.
 
Problems

The allergy dermatitis transmitted by the flea saliva is the more frequent skin disease in pets. Before feeding and to prevent the blood coagulation, the flea injects a substance termed "saliva" that is frequently responsible for long term serious allergies. Besides, the animal can ingest the flea larvae when scratching himself causing a double parasitism. Fleas may also cause anaemia on small or weak pets and transmit tapeworms.

People

People are only affected by fleas in the absence of others animals around (cats and dogs mainly). The fleas of the animals are specific of their hosts; this means that they prefer the animal they are adapted to. However, in the absence of their natural host, they will look for other animals or even people.

How can I tell if my animal has fleas?

Even when we do not see the fleas, it is possible that the animal is infested. As referred, the fleas larvae feed on theirs mother's excrements. Those excrements appear under the animal’s coat and look like black "sand." To distinguish flea excrements from true grains of sand take some and put them in cotton soaked in water: excrements will dissolve, forming a small brown/reddish aureole.

How to avoid the fleas?

Only a combined treatment of the animal and the environment is effective to flight the flea infestation. Remember that fleas have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult and that only these live on pets. The eggs, larvae, and pupae live in environment. Therefore, it is essential that both the animal and the environment are simultaneously treated to eradicate the problem.

How to rid my home of fleas?

1 - Vacuum rugs, carpets, sofas, curtains, etc. thoroughly and often, paying special attention to the places the fleas prefer the best.
2 - Wash all of the blankets, beds, cushions, etc., where you animal sleeps, with very hot water and some detergent or bleach.
3 - Apply a specific product (available in the market) in the places with grooves and cracks grooves, in the baseboards, behind the sofa, the freezer, the washing machine and, in general, in every place where the access with vacuum cleaner is not possible.

How to rid my animal of fleas?

There various products available in the market. Ask your vet for advice.