Fleas and Flea Control
Fleas have a complex, variable life cycle. The life cycle can be as short as 2 weeks to as long as several months. The life cycle consists of 4 stages: the adult stage, eggs stage, larvae stage and pupae stage.

1. The adult- The adult takes a blood meal and then lays eggs. Fleas feed on your pet's blood. An adult flea can lay up to 40 eggs per day and 2,000 egg in her lifetime. Along with the eggs, the female flea deposits a large amount of feces (often called "flea dirt"). An adult flea can live up to 120 days.

2. The eggs- The eggs are often laid on the animal, but because they are not sticky, fall off into the environment. This means where the pet spends the most amount of their time is where the flea eggs will land.

3. The larvae- Two days after the egg is laid it hatches and the larvae, which looks like a small maggot, starts to feed on the feces left by its mother. The larvae passes through several phases of development taking a total of about a week. At that time, the larvae starts spinning a cocoon and is called a pupae.

4. The pupae- The cocoon is sticky and will often become covered with fine dirt or sand and can often be found deep in carpet or crevices. In a week, the pupae develops into an adult and emerges from the cocoon when it senses vibrations, carbon dioxide, or warmth which tell it an animal host is near. The entire life cycle takes about 15 days, but the pupae can remain dormant under inhospitable conditions (e.g.; cold) and extend the cycle to over a year.

For every adult flea you see, there are 2 pupae, 7 larvae or maggots, and 10 eggs in the environment.

This is why it is best to implement an "Integrated Pest Control Program." The goal is to take care of the flea's life cycle in the environment as well as the adult fleas.

Many people will acknowledge a flea problem when they see many adults. When this happens, the environment is already loaded with other stages and control will be more difficult. Fleas are best prevented and the easiest way to prevent fleas is to keep them on a control program year round.

Spring is a good time to step up flea control prgrams because the warm weather is stimulating the pupae to hatch out. Keeping your pet on a control program will prevent the buildup of the flea population in the environment.

Besides causing irritation and discomfort in your pet, fleas can also carry diseases such as the plague and cause intestinal parasites such as tapeworms.

Pets can become sensitized and allergic to a protein in the fleas' saliva if they are bitten too many times by fleas. The protein in the fleas' saliva can cause a severe inflammatory skin disease which may lead to hot spots. Minimizing flea bites decreases exposure and the chance your pet will be uncomfortable.

There are lots of options when it comes to controlling the flea population. Ask your veterinarian today which flea control product is right for your pet.