How to know that fleas have appeared? - briefly
Look for frequent scratching, hair loss, or tiny black specks (flea feces) on the animal’s skin, bedding, or furniture. Finding live insects that jump from the fur or move rapidly on surfaces confirms their presence.
How to know that fleas have appeared? - in detail
Fleas reveal their presence through several observable signs.
- Bite marks: Small, red, itchy spots often appear on the ankles, legs, or lower back of humans and on the neck, belly, or tail base of pets. The marks may be grouped in clusters or appear in a line.
- Excessive scratching: Pets that groom or scratch more than usual, especially around the tail, hindquarters, or abdomen, may be reacting to flea bites.
- Visible insects: Adult fleas are dark, wing‑less, and move quickly through fur or on bedding. They can be seen jumping or crawling when pets are examined closely.
- Flea dirt: Small black specks resembling pepper or coffee grounds on pet fur, bedding, or carpet are digested blood. Pressing the specks with a wet paper towel turns them reddish, confirming their nature.
- Hair loss and skin irritation: Patches of thinning fur, redness, or sores indicate prolonged feeding and irritation.
- Presence of eggs and larvae: Tiny white oval eggs cling to pet hair or fall onto surfaces. Larvae, which are pale and worm‑like, may be found in carpet fibers, cracks, or pet bedding.
Detecting an infestation promptly requires systematic inspection of both the animal and its environment. Use a fine‑toothed flea comb on the pet’s coat, focusing on the neck, tail base, and underbelly. After combing, examine the comb’s teeth for live fleas or flea dirt. Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and cracks, then discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag to remove eggs and larvae. Wash all bedding, blankets, and pet accessories in hot water (minimum 60 °C) to kill all life stages.
If any of the above indicators are confirmed, initiate treatment for the animal and apply environmental control measures, such as insect growth regulators, to interrupt the flea life cycle and prevent re‑infestation.