List of articles № 116
Human lice, scientifically named Pediculus humanus , are obligate ectoparasites that have evolved to feed exclusively on human blood. Their mouthparts are adapted to pierce thin human skin, and their claws are sized to grasp the coarse texture of human hair shafts.. Date latest changes:
How do bedbug bites affect human health?
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, wingless insects belonging to the family Cimicidae. Adults measure 4–5 mm in length, have a flattened, oval body, and are reddish‑brown after feeding. Their mouthparts are specialized for piercing skin and extracting blood.. Date latest changes:
What methods can be used to get rid of fleas in the house?
Fleas often reveal their presence before an infestation becomes obvious. Recognizing these indicators allows prompt action and improves the success of any eradication plan. Small, dark specks on pet fur that resemble pepper; these are flea feces (digested blood) and appear as tiny black dots.. Date latest changes:
What does a head louse look like, and how can it be distinguished?
Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are small, wingless insects adapted for clinging to human hair. Adult specimens measure 2.3–3.5 mm in length, roughly the size of a sesame seed. Nymphs progress through three instars, ranging from 0.8 mm (first stage) to 2.. Date latest changes:
How can I remove fleas from a kitten at home?
Fleas consume blood, and a heavy infestation can lead to significant blood loss in a kitten. Because kittens have a limited total blood volume, even modest bleeding may reduce hemoglobin levels enough to cause anemia. Anemia compromises oxygen delivery, slows growth, and can become life‑threatening if untreated.. Date latest changes:
What does a tick infestation look like on an orchid?
Ticks that attack orchids belong to several acarological groups, each producing distinct symptoms. Recognizing the specific type is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Orchid spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) – tiny, reddish‑brown arachnids that cluster on the underside of leaves.. Date latest changes:
What are the signs and symptoms of a tick bite in humans?
Redness and swelling are the most immediate local reactions after a tick attaches to the skin. The erythema usually appears within minutes to a few hours, forming a small, well‑defined halo around the bite site. Swelling may accompany the redness, ranging from mild puffiness to a more pronounced, localized edema that can extend several centimeters from the attachment point.. Date latest changes:
How can I help a cat with an ear tick at home?
Head shaking and scratching are the most immediate indicators that a cat is dealing with an ear tick infestation. The cat often tilts its head toward the affected ear, then rapidly shakes the head in an attempt to dislodge the parasite. Simultaneously, the animal may use its paws to rub the ear base or surrounding area, creating visible abrasions or redness.. Date latest changes:
How to properly treat kittens for fleas and worms?
Visual inspection is the first practical step in confirming the presence of ectoparasites and internal parasites in young cats. A thorough examination allows owners and veterinarians to identify early signs, decide on immediate treatment, and monitor the effectiveness of ongoing parasite control.. Date latest changes:
How to remove lice from a child with long hair?
Recognizing a lice infestation in a child with lengthy hair requires attention to specific signs. Early detection prevents extensive spreading and simplifies treatment. Persistent itching, especially after washing or bathing, indicates irritation from lice bites.. Date latest changes:
How to properly remove a tick from a cat at home?
Ticks that commonly infest domestic cats belong to several species, each with distinct geographic ranges and disease potentials. Recognizing these species helps owners assess health risks and select appropriate removal techniques. Dermacentus variabilis (American dog tick) – prevalent in the eastern United States and parts of Canada.. Date latest changes:
Where do mattress bed bugs originate, and how can they be eliminated?
Mattress‑infesting bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed exclusively on human blood and establish colonies within the seams, tags, and folds of mattresses and bedding. Their presence indicates a source of infestation that typically originates from previous occupants, travel, or second‑hand furniture.. Date latest changes:
What to do if a cat accidentally licks flea and tick drops?
When a cat comes into contact with flea‑or tick‑control products designed for topical application, ingestion can introduce toxic substances into the bloodstream. Early recognition of adverse effects is critical to prevent severe complications.. Date latest changes:
Can ticks be found inside a home, and how can indoor infestations be prevented?
Ticks may appear inside residential spaces when animals bring them from outdoor environments. Dogs and cats that roam in grassy or wooded areas often pick up engorged or questing ticks, which can detach in the home’s interior. Pets transport ticks in three ways:. Date latest changes:
How can fleas be quickly eliminated from a house using home remedies?
Fleas leave distinct clues that signal an infestation before it becomes severe. Recognizing these indicators enables prompt application of home‑based control methods. Small, dark specks resembling pepper on pet fur or bedding; these are flea feces (digested blood) and turn reddish when moistened.. Date latest changes:
How can I use Sympatica for dogs against ticks: instructions and recommendations?
Sympatica combines two pharmacologically distinct agents to control tick infestations on dogs. Indoxacarb – an oxadiazine insecticide that remains inactive until metabolized by the parasite’s enzymes, converting to a potent sodium‑channel blocker.. Date latest changes:
Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) attach to dogs during the larval, nymphal, or adult stages while the animal moves through vegetation where ticks quest for a host. The tick’s mouthparts penetrate the skin, creating a secure attachment that can last several days.. Date latest changes:
Does dichlorvos work on bedbugs?
Dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate) is a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature. Its molecular formula is C₄H₇Cl₂O₄P, with a molecular weight of 221.0 g mol⁻¹. The compound is highly volatile, possessing a vapor pressure of approximately 10 mm Hg at 25 °C, which facilitates rapid dispersion in indoor environments.. Date latest changes:
Bedbug bites typically manifest as small, raised welts measuring 2–5 mm in diameter. The lesions are erythematous, ranging from pink to deep red, and often present a central punctum where the insect injected saliva. Itching is common, though intensity varies among individuals.. Date latest changes:
Who should be contacted after a tick bite?
Proper removal of a tick requires a specific set of instruments and a defined technique to minimize pathogen transmission. The preferred tool is fine‑pointed tweezers, preferably stainless steel, that grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible without crushing the body.. Date latest changes:
How to treat eggplants for tick infestation?
Visual inspection is the first line of defense against tick colonization on eggplant plants. Early detection limits population growth and reduces the need for broad‑spectrum chemicals. Before entering the field, clean hands and tools, wear white gloves, and ensure adequate lighting.. Date latest changes:
How long does it take for bed bugs to reproduce?
The egg stage marks the beginning of a bed bug’s reproductive cycle. Females lay eggs singly or in small clusters, typically attaching them to crevices near a host’s resting area. Each adult female can produce 200–500 eggs over her lifetime, with 5–7 eggs laid per day during peak activity.. Date latest changes:
How can small kittens be freed from fleas?
Fleas consume blood, and heavy infestations can deplete a kitten’s red‑cell volume, leading to anemia. Young cats have limited blood reserves; each flea bite removes a measurable amount of plasma, and multiple bites over a short period can cause a rapid drop in hematocrit.. Date latest changes:
How to put a flea collar on a dog?
Insecticide‑based collars contain chemicals such as imidacloprid, flumethrin, or selamectin that diffuse through the dog’s skin to repel or kill fleas, ticks, and other ectoparasites. The active ingredient is released at a controlled rate, creating a protective zone that extends from the neck to the base of the tail.. Date latest changes:
Why do fleas bite people selectively?
Fleas exhibit host specificity, meaning individual species preferentially feed on particular animal groups and, within those groups, may target certain individuals. This selectivity results from a combination of morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations that align the parasite’s survival strategy with the characteristics of its preferred hosts.. Date latest changes:
At what temperature do bedbugs freeze?
Bed bugs progress through a defined series of developmental phases that depend heavily on ambient temperature. The life cycle comprises four principal stages: Egg – laid in clusters of 5‑10, incubation lasts 6‑10 days at 24 °C; lower temperatures extend this period, while temperatures near 0 °C halt development.. Date latest changes:
How do fleas appear on domestic cats?
The egg stage marks the beginning of the flea life cycle that ultimately leads to infestation of house cats. Female fleas deposit eggs on the host’s fur, but most eggs detach within minutes due to the cat’s grooming activity and fall onto the surrounding environment—bedding, carpets, and floor coverings.. Date latest changes:
How to know if there is a subcutaneous tick on the face?
When a tick embeds beneath facial skin, confirming the species is essential for assessing disease risk and selecting treatment. Accurate identification relies on direct observation, microscopic analysis, and molecular techniques. Visual assessment begins with careful examination of the skin surface.. Date latest changes:
Where do ticks appear in an apartment?
Ticks often enter apartments attached to dogs, cats, or other small mammals kept indoors. When an animal walks across a floor or rests on furniture, any attached tick can detach and begin searching for a host. Typical sites where detached ticks are found include:. Date latest changes:
Can lice cause nerve‑related issues
Head lice ( Pediculus humanus capitis ) are obligate ectoparasites that feed exclusively on human scalp blood. Adult females lay 6–10 eggs (nits) daily, attaching them to hair shafts close to the scalp. Nymphs hatch within 7–10 days and require a blood meal for each molt, completing development in approximately three weeks.. Date latest changes:
How do bedbug bites appear on a child's skin?
Bedbug bites on children typically present as small, red, raised spots that may develop a central puncture mark. The lesions often appear in linear or clustered patterns, reflecting the insect’s feeding behavior. Itching is common, and secondary inflammation can cause the surrounding skin to swell slightly.. Date latest changes:
What is a pubic louse and where does it live?
Pubic lice belong to the phylum Arthropoda, a group defined by a segmented body, jointed appendages, and a chitinous exoskeleton. Within this phylum they are classified in the order Phthiraptera, which comprises all chewing and sucking lice.. Date latest changes:
What should be done with belongings after a bedbug infestation?
During a post‑infestation cleanup, the first priority is to locate every zone where bedbugs have been active. Visual inspection should start with seams, folds, and stitching on mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture. Examine headboards, nightstands, and bed frames for live insects, shed skins, or dark spotting.. Date latest changes:
How do you use a flea collar for cats?
A flea collar is a flexible band designed to encircle a cat’s neck, delivering continuous protection against fleas, ticks, and sometimes other parasites. The band contains active ingredients—typically insect growth regulators, pyrethrins, or neonicotinoids—embedded in a polymer matrix that releases a controlled dose over weeks or months.. Date latest changes:
Where do clothing lice originate, and what causes their appearance?
Clothing lice, commonly known as body lice, are obligate ectoparasites of humans that feed on blood and live in the seams of garments and bedding. They are wingless insects, 2–4 mm long, with a flattened body adapted for moving through fabric fibers.. Date latest changes:
Does dieldrin help in fighting fleas in the house?
Dieldrin is a synthetic organochlorine insecticide produced by the oxidation of aldrin. Its chemical composition, C₁₂H₈Cl₆, makes it highly lipophilic and resistant to degradation. Introduced in the mid‑20th century, dieldrin was applied to soil, stored grain, termites, and livestock parasites.. Date latest changes:
Where should a tick be sent for expert examination?
Ticks carry a range of pathogens that cause human illness. Accurate identification of the tick species and testing for associated agents are essential for appropriate clinical management. Common tick‑borne diseases include: Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi complex) Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) Ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii) Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii) Babesiosis (Babesia microti) Tick‑borne relapsin. Date latest changes:
How does a lump develop after a tick bite in a dog?
Ticks attach to canine skin by inserting their hypostome, a barbed feeding tube, into the epidermis and dermis. The hypostome is secured with a proteinaceous cement secreted from the tick’s salivary glands, which hardens to create a stable attachment.. Date latest changes:
How should Rolf 3D tick drops be used on dogs?
Rolf 3D Tick Drops are a topical formulation designed to eliminate and repel ticks on canine skin. The product combines a high‑concentration pyrethroid with a synergistic organophosphate, delivering rapid neurotoxic action against attached arthropods while minimizing irritation.. Date latest changes:
How to eliminate soil fleas in the apartment on your own?
Soil fleas are tiny, wingless insects measuring 1–3 mm in length. Their bodies are oval, flattened, and covered with fine hairs that give a slightly fuzzy appearance. Color ranges from pale yellow to light brown, often with darker spots on the thorax.. Date latest changes: