List of articles № 101

How quickly do bedbug bites heal?

Bed‑bug bites are small, red, raised spots that appear where a female insect has fed on human blood. The insect injects saliva containing anticoagulants and anesthetic agents, which prevent clotting and reduce pain during feeding. Typical characteristics include:. Date latest changes:

How to safely remove a tick’s head?

Improper methods for extracting a tick’s mouthparts often leave the head embedded in the skin, increasing the risk of infection and disease transmission. Techniques that crush, twist, or pull the tick’s body with inadequate tools typically detach the abdomen while the hypostome remains attached.. Date latest changes:

Where do encephalitis‑carrying ticks come from?

Tick‑borne encephalitis results from interactions between specific ixodid species and neurotropic flaviviruses. Identifying the vectors clarifies the geographic pathways by which infected ticks reach new habitats. Ixodes ricinus – prevalent across temperate Europe and parts of western Asia;. Date latest changes:

What do bed bug bites look like?

Bed bug bites are usually small, raised welts measuring approximately 1 mm to 5 mm in diameter. The lesions are circular and often appear as a single spot or a line of spots when the insects feed in succession along the skin. Diameter: 1 mm (pinpoint) up to 5 mm (visible papule).. Date latest changes:

How do ground fleas bite humans?

Ground fleas, commonly known as sand fleas, are small, laterally compressed insects that feed by piercing the skin with their specialized mouthparts. Their bites produce a localized, itchy papule that often appears shortly after exposure to sandy or coastal environments.. Date latest changes:

What helps with bites from ground fleas?

Ground flea bites typically present as small, raised papules ranging from 2 to 5 mm in diameter. The lesions are usually erythematous, with a central punctum where the insect’s mouthparts entered the skin. Around the periphery, a faint halo of redness may develop, often expanding slightly over several hours.. Date latest changes:

Are ticks dangerous in August for humans?

Ticks progress through four stages—egg, larva, nymph, and adult—each linked to specific seasonal windows. Eggs hatch in spring; larvae emerge shortly thereafter, feeding on small mammals before molting into nymphs. Nymphs reach peak activity in late spring and early summer, while adults become most active from late summer through early autumn.. Date latest changes:

What does a bedbug nest look like?

Bedbug infestations are often described as having a “nest,” yet the term misrepresents the insects’ actual behavior. Bedbugs do not spin silk, construct chambers, or create a permanent structure. Their survival strategy relies on hiding in existing cracks, seams, and furnishings, where they form loose aggregations.. Date latest changes:

How to correctly put on a flea collar?

Understanding the variety of flea collars is essential for proper placement on a dog or cat. Different designs deliver active ingredients in distinct ways, influencing fit, duration of protection, and safety considerations. Synthetic insecticide collars – contain chemicals such as imidacloprid or flumethrin.. Date latest changes:

How to treat a pear for gall mite?

Gall mites (Aceria spp.) develop entirely on the surface of pear leaves, buds and fruit, completing their life cycle within a single growing season. Adult females emerge from overwintering sites in early spring, when temperatures rise above 10 °C.. Date latest changes:

Can you eliminate lice in a single treatment?

The egg, or nit, stage is the most resistant phase of a head‑lice infestation. Nits are firmly attached to hair shafts with a cement that hardens within 24 hours, making them difficult for topical agents to penetrate. A treatment applied once must contain a chemical that can dissolve this cement and kill the embryo before it hatches, typically within 7–10 days.. Date latest changes:

Can a tick be sent for analysis to Invitro?

Timely examination of a tick specimen submitted to a diagnostic laboratory is essential for accurate identification of pathogens and reliable epidemiological data. Delays compromise sample integrity. Decomposition of nucleic acids reduces the sensitivity of molecular assays, while loss of viable organisms hampers culture‑based methods.. Date latest changes:

Which dichlorvos product is best for bedbugs?

Dichlorvos, chemically dimethyl 2,2‑dichlorovinyl phosphate, is a volatile organophosphate insecticide. Commercial products contain the active ingredient dissolved in organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol, or cyclohexanone. Formulations also include surfactants or emulsifiers that improve spreadability and wetting of insect surfaces.. Date latest changes:

Do fleas jump from cats to people: myth or fact?

The flea’s development proceeds through four distinct stages, each governed by temperature, humidity, and host availability. Eggs are deposited on a host’s fur but fall into the surrounding environment within minutes. Under optimal conditions (25‑30 °C, 70‑80 % relative humidity) hatching occurs in 2‑5 days, releasing larvae that feed on organic debris, including adult flea feces rich in blood proteins.. Date latest changes:

How to correctly apply flea drops to a dog?

Topical flea treatments are liquid or gel formulations designed for direct skin application on dogs. These products deliver an insecticidal dose that spreads across the coat, providing protection against fleas for several weeks. To apply a spot‑on flea product correctly, follow these steps:. Date latest changes:

Can a person get infected with fleas from a cat?

Fleas that infest cats belong to several species, each with distinct biological traits and host preferences. Understanding these variations clarifies the risk of transmission to humans. «Ctenocephalides felis» – the cat flea, most common on domestic cats, capable of biting humans and causing dermatitis.. Date latest changes:

How to get rid of wood‑dwelling bedbugs in an apartment?

Identifying the pest accurately prevents unnecessary interventions and ensures that control measures target the correct organism. Wood‑dwelling bedbugs differ from other apartment insects in several observable traits. Size: adult specimens measure 4–5 mm, roughly the length of a grain of rice;. Date latest changes:

How can I treat my legs to get rid of fleas?

Fleas are wingless insects measuring 1–3 mm in length, dark brown to reddish‑black, laterally flattened, and equipped with powerful hind legs for jumping. Their bodies are covered with tiny spines that aid in clinging to hair and fabric, making them difficult to remove once they have reached the lower limbs.. Date latest changes:

Why do ticks bite humans?

Ticks that regularly attach to humans belong to two families: hard ticks (Ixodidae) and soft ticks (Argasidae). Hard ticks possess a scutum, remain attached for days, and are responsible for most vector‑borne diseases. Soft ticks lack a scutum, feed quickly, and are less often encountered in domestic settings.. Date latest changes:

What is the likelihood that a tick transmits encephalitis?

Tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection of the central nervous system transmitted by the bite of infected hard ticks, primarily  Ixodes ricinus in Europe and Ixodes persulcatus in Asia. The disease is caused by the tick‑borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the Flaviviridae family.. Date latest changes:

What should I do about ticks on my dog at home?

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi , is transmitted to dogs through the bite of infected Ixodes ticks. The pathogen can enter the bloodstream within 24–48 hours after attachment, making prompt tick removal essential.. Date latest changes:

How to rid chickens of fleas: practical recommendations?

Recognizing flea‑related symptoms in chickens provides the first line of defense against infestation. Early detection enables timely intervention, reducing suffering and preventing population‑wide spread. Typical indicators include: Restlessness, especially during roosting periods.. Date latest changes:

What are effective methods for controlling bedbugs in an apartment?

Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) measure 4–5 mm in length, flat, oval, and wingless. Their reddish‑brown color deepens after feeding. The exoskeleton is soft, allowing rapid expansion when engorged, which can increase body length to about 7 mm. Adults possess six legs, each ending in a claw that assists in climbing smooth surfaces.. Date latest changes:

How can you control powdery spider mites on indoor plants?

Powdery spider mites are tiny arachnids belonging to the family Tetranychidae. Adults measure less than 0.5 mm, possess a soft, translucent body, and often appear dusted with a fine, white‑powdery coating that results from their excrement and webbing.. Date latest changes:

Which is better for dogs: a flea and tick collar or topical drops?

Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites expose dogs to a range of serious health threats. Vector‑borne bacteria, protozoa, and viruses cause conditions that can progress rapidly without prompt treatment. Commonly transmitted agents include Bartonella (cat‑scratch disease), Rickettsia (spotted fever), Ehrlichia (ehrlichiosis), Anaplasma (anaplasmosis), and Babesia (babesiosis).. Date latest changes:

How do ticks move in nature: characteristics of their locomotion?

Ticks belong to the class Arachnida and possess eight legs, arranged in four paired sets. Each pair originates from the prosoma and extends laterally, providing a symmetrical platform for movement across substrates ranging from leaf litter to mammalian fur.. Date latest changes:

How quickly and easily can a tick be removed from a cat at home?

Ticks attached to a cat’s coat appear as small, rounded masses that may seem like a hair or a speck of dirt. The body is typically brown to reddish‑brown, expanding to a pumpkin‑shaped silhouette after feeding. The front portion, called the capitulum, protrudes from the skin and resembles a tiny, pointed beak.. Date latest changes:

From what age can puppies be treated for fleas and ticks?

Fleas and ticks pose significant health risks to young dogs, especially before the recommended age for preventive treatment. Early infestations can lead to anemia, as blood loss from numerous parasites reduces red‑cell count and impairs oxygen transport.. Date latest changes:

How can fleas on cabbage be eliminated using home remedies?

Fleas that infest cabbage are tiny, wingless insects that resemble typical cat or dog fleas but adapt to the plant environment. Their bodies are laterally compressed, allowing them to move easily between leaf folds and into the head of the cabbage.. Date latest changes:

Where do lice infestations come from?

Lice are small, wingless insects about 2–4 mm long, with a dorsally flattened body covered by a hard exoskeleton. Their head bears a pair of antennae and mandibles adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood. Four pairs of legs end in claws that grip hair shafts, enabling rapid movement through the host’s coat.. Date latest changes:

How long can bedbugs survive without a human?

Bedbug eggs are the most resilient developmental stage when a host is absent. Under optimal temperature (25‑30 °C) and relative humidity (70‑80 %), embryogenesis completes in 6‑10 days, after which nymphs emerge. If conditions fall outside this range, development slows and the eggs can persist for extended periods.. Date latest changes:

What should I do if there are bedbugs in the bed?

Physical evidence of a bed‑bug infestation includes live insects, exuviae (shed skins), fecal spots, blood stains, and damaged fabric. These items confirm the presence of the pest and guide remediation strategies. Live bugs or nymphs: locate on mattress seams, box‑spring corners, headboard crevices.. Date latest changes:

How many hours does it take for a tick to become engorged?

Tick larvae are the first active feeding stage after hatching from eggs. They locate small vertebrate hosts, attach, and begin blood ingestion within minutes of attachment. During the larval phase, the period required to reach full engorgement is short compared to later stages.. Date latest changes:

What do ticks symbolize in dreams?

Dreams featuring ticks often present the insect clinging to skin, sucking blood, or moving in swarms. The vivid sensation of being pierced and drained is rarely accidental; it conveys a subconscious alert about personal energy loss. The primary interpretation connects the tick to a feeling of exploitation.. Date latest changes:

What do bed bug bites look like on bedding?

Human bed‑bug bites appear as small, raised welts that are typically 2–5 mm in diameter. The lesions are red or pink at first, turning darker as they age. Individual bites are often isolated, but several may cluster in a linear or “breakfast‑n‑coffee” pattern, reflecting the insect’s movement along exposed skin.. Date latest changes:

How do fleas affect a cat's health?

Fleas progress through four distinct stages, each contributing to the health burden on cats. Egg – Female fleas deposit up to 5,000 eggs per day on the host’s coat. Eggs fall off into bedding, carpet, and surrounding areas, where they hatch within 2–5 days under optimal temperature and humidity.. Date latest changes:

What do dreams about fleas mean for a woman?

Dreams that feature fleas often point to everyday irritations that a woman perceives as nagging but not overwhelming. The insect’s size and behavior translate into symbolic reminders of small, recurring issues that demand attention. Fleas in a dream signal:. Date latest changes:

Do tick drops help dogs?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi , transmitted to dogs through the bite of infected Ixodes ticks. The pathogen enters the bloodstream during feeding and can disseminate to joints, heart, and kidneys. Typical manifestations in dogs include lameness, fever, loss of appetite, and swollen joints.. Date latest changes:

How soon after exposure do bedbug bites appear?

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) can be recognized by their size, shape, coloration, and the pattern of their feeding marks. Adults measure 4–5 mm in length, are oval, flattened, and reddish‑brown; nymphs are smaller and lighter in color. Live insects are often found in cracks and seams of mattresses, box springs, headboards, and furniture.. Date latest changes:

What to do if soil fleas bite?

Washing the affected area with soap and water is a direct, effective response to bites from soil-dwelling insects. The procedure removes saliva, irritants, and any remaining organisms, reducing inflammation and the risk of secondary infection.. Date latest changes: