List of articles № 173

What does it mean when you dream of lice and ticks?

Dreams that include lice often symbolize persistent irritations that the dreamer perceives as invasive or hard to eliminate. The presence of these tiny parasites in a sleeping mind reflects a subconscious awareness of minor but nagging problems that demand attention.. Date latest changes:

How to use wormwood water to treat lice?

Wormwood‑infused water is often cited as a natural option for eliminating lice, but its effectiveness depends on the biology of the specific infestation. Lice species differ in habitat, feeding behavior, and resistance to treatments, which determines the suitability of any topical remedy.. Date latest changes:

How long does it take for bedbugs to hatch from eggs?

Bedbug eggs are oval, about 1 mm long, and are deposited in clusters of 5–10 within a protective paper‑like casing called an ootheca. The female attaches the ootheca to crevices, fabric, or furniture, where it remains until the embryos complete development.. Date latest changes:

Where do earth fleas appear in a house?

Earth fleas, commonly known as springtails, are most often encountered in the moist micro‑environments of a residence. Typical locations include bathroom grout, kitchen sinks, under appliances, basements, and the soil of potted plants. Their presence can be mistaken for that of common fleas, yet several diagnostic criteria separate the two groups.. Date latest changes:

What to do if a Spitz dog gets fleas?

Fleas provoke intense itching in Spitz dogs; excessive scratching and biting often signal a heavy infestation or an allergic reaction to flea saliva. The behavior may lead to skin trauma, secondary infections, and hair loss if not addressed promptly.. Date latest changes:

How to ensure a tick is fully removed?

Effective removal of attached ticks is essential to interrupt pathogen transmission. Immediate action reduces the time pathogens have to migrate from the tick’s salivary glands into the host’s bloodstream. The following measures guarantee complete extraction and minimize infection risk:. Date latest changes:

What should you do if bitten by an encephalitis tick?

When an encephalitis‑carrying tick attaches, immediate removal reduces pathogen transmission. Effective extraction requires appropriate instruments that grasp the tick close to the skin without crushing its body. Fine‑pointed tweezers (straight or curved) with smooth jaws;. Date latest changes:

Do fleas jump from cats to humans?

Fleas that infest domestic cats belong primarily to the species Ctenocephalides felis . Adult specimens measure 1–3 mm in length, possess laterally compressed bodies, and have powerful hind legs equipped with a resilient resilin pad that stores elastic energy.. Date latest changes:

What occurs after a tick bite in a person?

Redness and swelling are the most immediate signs of a tick attachment. The skin around the bite often turns pink to deep crimson within hours, reflecting localized inflammation. Edema may develop concurrently, producing a raised, tender area that can expand up to several centimeters in diameter.. Date latest changes:

How can you remove bedbugs from an apartment yourself?

Bedbugs are small, oval‑shaped insects measuring 4–5 mm in length, roughly the size of an apple seed. Their bodies are flat when unfed and become swollen after a blood meal, taking on a reddish‑brown hue. The dorsal surface shows a matte finish with faint, pale markings that may become more pronounced with age.. Date latest changes:

How can you get rid of spider mite on cucumbers?

Visual inspection is the initial method for identifying spider mite infestations on cucumber plants. Early detection relies on a careful examination of foliage and fruit surfaces before populations become severe enough to cause widespread damage.. Date latest changes:

What is the condition called when a person has lice?

Pediculosis, the medical term for a lice infestation, is caused by three primary species that parasitize humans. Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice) – inhabit the scalp, attach eggs (nits) to hair shafts, cause itching and irritation.. Date latest changes:

Where do fleas go after flea drops are applied to a cat’s neck?

Topical flea treatments applied to a cat’s neck contain a limited group of chemical agents that act systemically and on contact. The most common active substances are: Imidacloprid – binds to insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, causing rapid paralysis and death within minutes.. Date latest changes:

Which flea drops are best for small‑breed dogs?

When treating miniature canines for fleas, the amount of medication administered must align precisely with the animal’s weight. Small dogs metabolize active ingredients faster than larger counterparts, so a dose that is safe for a medium‑sized dog can become hazardous for a toy breed.. Date latest changes:

What will happen if a cat licks a flea treatment?

Topical spot‑on flea treatments are liquid formulations applied directly to the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. The active ingredients—such as fipronil, imidacloprid, selamectin or fluralaner—penetrate the epidermis and spread through the bloodstream, killing parasites that bite the animal.. Date latest changes:

Can bedbugs be transferred on clothing to another apartment?

Bed bugs («Cimex lectularius») are small, wingless insects measuring 4–5 mm when unfed. Their flattened bodies enable concealment in narrow seams of furniture, carpet edges, and mattress tags. Life cycle Egg: translucent, 0.5 mm, deposited in clusters of 10–50.. Date latest changes:

How long do fleas survive after shampoo treatment?

Flea development proceeds through egg, larva, pupa and adult stages; the egg stage determines how quickly a population can rebound after a chemical intervention such as a flea‑shampoo. When a shampoo containing insecticidal agents contacts a flea nest, the liquid penetrates the protective chorion of the egg.. Date latest changes:

Can bedbugs be transferred via clothing to another apartment?

Bedbugs develop through a predictable sequence of stages that determines their capacity to travel on personal items. The cycle begins with eggs, which are laid in small clusters on seams, folds, or hidden crevices of fabric. Each egg measures about 1 mm and hatches in five to ten days under favorable temperatures.. Date latest changes:

What happens to fleas after applying flea drops?

Flea drops contain chemical agents that target adult insects and interrupt their development. The choice of active ingredient determines how quickly the parasites are incapacitated and whether surviving stages are prevented from maturing. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids – synthetic analogues of natural extracts;. Date latest changes:

What substances can be applied to the skin to prevent bed bug bites?

Bed‑bug bites typically appear as small, red welts that develop within minutes to a few hours after contact. The lesions are often grouped in a linear or clustered pattern, reflecting the insect’s feeding behavior. Common visual features include:. Date latest changes:

How can you distinguish an encephalitic tick from a regular tick by visual signs?

The label «encephalitic» designates a tick that harbors a virus capable of causing encephalitis; it does not denote a separate species. Taxonomic classification relies on anatomical traits such as scutum shape, mouthpart length, and leg banding, while the presence of neurotropic pathogens remains invisible to the naked eye.. Date latest changes:

When should adults have a blood test for Lyme disease after a tick bite?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted primarily by the bite of infected Ixodes ticks. The causative organism, Borrelia burgdorferi (and, in Europe, related species such as B. afzelii and B. garinii ), spreads from the tick’s mouthparts into the host’s skin within hours of attachment.. Date latest changes:

How to get rid of grass fleas in a private house using folk remedies at home?

Grass fleas, often referred to as Pulex irritans or the human flea, are small, wing‑less insects measuring 1.5–3 mm in length. Their laterally compressed bodies enable rapid movement through clothing, bedding, and floor cracks. Adults feed on the blood of mammals and birds, injecting anticoagulants that cause itching and possible allergic reactions.. Date latest changes:

Why are fleas needed in the ecosystem?

Predatory insects and arthropods act as biological regulators of flea populations. Adult fleas and their larvae depend on small mammals for nourishment; when predatory species such as predatory mites, beetles, and lacewings encounter flea eggs or larvae, they consume them, reducing the number of individuals that reach maturity.. Date latest changes:

How does an Ixodes tick look?

Ixodes ticks undergo dramatic visual changes between the unfed and engorged stages. In the unfed condition the organism measures 2–3 mm in length, exhibits a smooth, oval body, and possesses a reddish‑brown dorsum with distinct scutum covering only the anterior portion of the idiosoma.. Date latest changes:

How to remove lice from a child’s head?

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are tiny, wing‑less insects that live exclusively on human scalps. Adults measure 2–4 mm, are tan to gray, and have six legs adapted for grasping hair shafts. The life cycle consists of three stages: egg (nits), nymph, and adult.. Date latest changes:

Are dog fleas dangerous to humans?

Fleas are small, wing‑less insects belonging to the order Siphonaptera. Adults measure 1–4 mm, possess laterally compressed bodies, and are covered with tough, water‑repellent cuticle. Their mouthparts form a piercing‑sucking proboscis that penetrates the skin of warm‑blooded hosts to ingest blood.. Date latest changes:

What are the signs of an encephalitis tick bite?

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is caused by a flavivirus transmitted primarily by Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus ticks. The virus circulates in forested regions of Europe and Asia where rodents serve as reservoirs; infected ticks acquire the pathogen during blood meals on these hosts.. Date latest changes:

Which ticks are not dangerous to humans?

Ticks transmit diseases through saliva during blood feeding. Successful transmission requires that the tick harbors a pathogen, that the pathogen can survive and multiply within the vector, and that the tick feeds on humans. Several tick species are considered non‑hazardous for humans because they lack one or more of these prerequisites.. Date latest changes:

Can rabbits get fleas?

Fleas are tiny, wingless insects belonging to the order Siphonaptera. They survive by feeding on the blood of warm‑blooded animals. Adult fleas possess powerful hind legs that enable rapid jumps, allowing movement between hosts. Egg: deposited on the host or in the environment;. Date latest changes:

Do bedbugs bite when the light is on?

Bed bugs are nocturnal arthropods that locate hosts primarily under low‑light conditions. Their sensory systems are tuned to detect heat, carbon dioxide, and movement rather than visual cues; darkness enhances these signals by reducing competing stimuli.. Date latest changes:

What dangers does the chicken mite pose to humans?

Chicken mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) develop through egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph and adult stages. Females lay 1–2 mm eggs on the perches, cages or litter where poultry rest. Eggs hatch in 1–2 days; the six‑legged larvae seek a blood meal, then molt into eight‑legged protonymphs.. Date latest changes:

How long does it take for lice to hatch from eggs?

Lice eggs, commonly called nits, are oval, translucent capsules firmly attached to hair shafts near the scalp. The shell, or chorion, protects the developing embryo until emergence. The incubation period typically ranges from 7 to 10 days under normal conditions.. Date latest changes:

How long do bedbug bite reactions last?

Bed‑bug bites usually become noticeable within minutes to a few hours after the insects feed. The first visible sign is a small, red papule that may be surrounded by a faint halo. Swelling often appears concurrently, reaching its peak size within 12–24 hours.. Date latest changes:

Why do flea drops not help a dog?

Flea spot‑on treatments depend on insecticidal or insect‑growth‑regulating chemicals delivered through the skin. When these compounds do not reach effective concentrations, the product fails to control infestations. Imidacloprid – binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, causing rapid paralysis of adult fleas.. Date latest changes:

What do fleas look like on budgerigars?

Fleas that infest budgerigars are minute ectoparasites whose dimensions and morphology differ markedly from those found on larger birds. Adult specimens typically measure between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm in length, a size comparable to a grain of sand.. Date latest changes:

How to know if there are ticks in the bed?

Ticks belong to two families that differ in morphology and behavior, which influences how they appear in bedding. Hard ticks (Ixodidae) – flattened bodies, scutum covering the back, long mouthparts. Species commonly encountered indoors:. Date latest changes:

What should be sprayed on cucumbers to control spider mites?

Spider mite infestations on cucumber plants become evident through distinct visual cues. Adult mites and their mobile stages appear as tiny, moving specks, often mistaken for dust; under magnification they reveal a reddish‑brown coloration. The most reliable indicator of damage is a stippled or yellowed leaf surface caused by the mites’ feeding on cell contents.. Date latest changes:

How to get rid of dog fleas in an apartment?

Flea presence in a dog manifests through distinct physical cues. Recognizing these signs is essential before implementing an apartment‑wide eradication plan. • Persistent scratching, especially around the neck, tail base, and ears. • Visible small, dark insects moving through the coat or clinging to the skin.. Date latest changes:

How should the tick bite site on a person be treated?

Proper removal of a tick from the skin reduces infection risk and minimizes tissue damage. The following protocol ensures accurate handling of tweezers. Choose fine‑point, non‑slip tweezers made of stainless steel. Grip the tick as close to the skin surface as possible, grasping the head, not the legs.. Date latest changes: