What does a flea look like and how to get rid of it? - briefly
A flea is a 1–3 mm, dark reddish, wingless insect with a flattened body and strong hind legs for jumping. Eradication requires vacuuming, washing bedding in hot water, and applying a regulated insecticide to pets and the surrounding area.
What does a flea look like and how to get rid of it? - in detail
Fleas are small, wing‑less insects measuring 1.5–3 mm in length. Their bodies are laterally flattened, allowing movement through animal fur. The exoskeleton is dark brown to reddish‑black, sometimes with a lighter abdomen. Legs end in tiny, backward‑pointing spines that enable rapid jumps up to 200 times their body length. Eyes are reduced to simple ocelli, and mouthparts form a piercing‑sucking proboscis for blood feeding.
Effective control requires a multi‑step approach:
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Environmental treatment
• Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery daily; dispose of the bag or empty canister immediately.
• Wash all bedding, pet blankets, and removable covers in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat.
• Apply a residual insecticide spray or fogger labeled for flea eggs, larvae, and adults to cracks, baseboards, and carpet edges. -
Pet management
• Administer a veterinarian‑approved topical or oral adulticide to each animal.
• Use a flea comb on the coat daily; dip the comb in soapy water to kill captured insects.
• Treat the pet’s sleeping area with a flea‑preventive product that interrupts the life cycle. -
Biological control
• Introduce beneficial nematodes (e.g., Steinernema carpocapsae) into soil or outdoor litter where flea larvae develop. -
Monitoring
• Place sticky flea traps near pet resting spots to gauge infestation levels.
• Re‑inspect the environment weekly for at least four weeks, repeating treatment if trapped insects appear.
By addressing adult fleas on hosts, destroying immature stages in the environment, and maintaining regular preventive measures, a complete eradication can be achieved within a month. Continuous vigilance prevents re‑infestation.