How to know that they are fleas? - briefly
Fleas are tiny, laterally flattened insects with strong hind legs that enable rapid jumps, and they feed on blood, leaving small dark specks of feces on the host’s skin. Their quick, erratic movement, combined with the presence of eggs or larvae in the surrounding environment, confirms their identification.
How to know that they are fleas? - in detail
Fleas are tiny, wing‑less insects that can be distinguished by several physical and behavioral traits. Adult specimens measure 1–4 mm, have laterally compressed bodies, and possess long, powerful hind legs adapted for jumping. Their bodies are covered with dark, often reddish‑brown scales or bristles, and the head bears short, serrated antennae. Legs end in tiny claws that grip hair or fur, allowing movement through animal coats.
Key diagnostic features include:
- Jumping ability: Fleas can leap up to 150 times their own length, a capability absent in most other ectoparasites.
- Blood‑sucking mouthparts: Their piercing‑sucking proboscis is elongated and needle‑like, designed to penetrate skin and ingest blood.
- Life‑stage morphology: Eggs are oval, smooth, and non‑sticky; larvae are legless, C‑shaped, and feed on organic debris; pupae are encased in a protective cocoon that can remain dormant until a host is detected.
Observation of the host provides additional clues. Infested animals often exhibit:
- Intense scratching or biting behavior, especially around the tail base, groin, and neck.
- Small, dark specks in bedding or on the animal’s skin, which are flea feces (digested blood).
- Red, raised lesions where flea bites have caused localized inflammation.
Laboratory confirmation can be achieved by:
- Collecting a sample: Use a fine‑toothed comb or adhesive tape to gather suspected insects from the host’s coat.
- Microscopic examination: Identify the characteristic laterally flattened body, jumping legs, and serrated antennae.
- PCR testing: Detect flea DNA in the sample if species‑level identification is required.
Effective identification relies on combining morphological inspection, host behavior, and, when necessary, laboratory analysis.