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The flea population is typically
made up of 50% eggs,
30% larva, 15% pupa  and only 5% biting adults.
Sand and
gravel are very suitable for flea development
 which is the reason fleas are erroneously
called sand fleas.
Most fleas survive the winter
in the larval stage
and grow best during warm, moist winters and spring.
Completely
developed adult fleas can live for several months without eating,
as long as they do not emerge from their cocoons.
..
Useless facts
about fleas.
In the old days European men wrote love poems
about fleas that lived on their girlfriends.
In
the old days French men put their girlfriends fleas in tiny cages, which
were then worn on a necklace.
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Fleas
When summer arrives fleas become thirstier. Im sure
your pets will agree with that! Although fleas dont really have a season,
they do become more active in the warmer months. The reason for this is the
warmer conditions make sandy soil areas ideal for breeding, allowing the flea
population to increase dramatically.
In Australia
there are ninety different species of fleas, out of approximately 2400 in the
world. The fleas go through a life cycle of complete metamorphosis (egg,
larva, pupa and adult).
Larva
The larva feeds on any organic material, human and
animal skin scales and undigested blood which adult fleas excretes and
accumulates in carpet, bedding, building and furniture cracks, soil etc.
Usually the larva will feed for about fifteen days but may feed for months in
bad conditions. When the larva is finished feeding it spins a cocoon
camouflaged in dirt.
Pupa
The pupa (cocoon) lasts for seven to fourteen days
in ideal conditions but may lay dormant for more than a year. It usually lays
dormant till conditions are right before the adult emerges. Vibrations
usually stimulate them to emerge from the pupa stage of development.
Sometimes when you enter an empty unoccupied room you can be suddenly be
attacked by hundreds of fleas, this is because of their sensitivity to
vibrations. The whole life cycle can take as little as eighteen days.
Adult
Once the flea has reached the adult stage a female
flea can lay between 4-8 eggs after each blood meal. Adult fleas can survive
for as long as four months without food and have a life span of between
100-500 days. They may lay several hundred eggs in this period. Fleas are
able to launch themselves into the air at a height of 20cm.
Flea and control
Fleas are readily controlled provided you take a few
simple steps. The majority of fleas found in our homes are of the Cat Flea
variety. This type of flea prefers the cat or dog as its host: however it may
also use humans. The name Sand Flea is commonly used. This is not a
different variety of flea but a term describing a location where fleas are
often found.
Fleas generally only bite humans where there is a
severe plague or when the normal host animal has left the premises. For
example, it is quite common to experience a flea plague after a pets death
or when moving into a vacant premise that has previously housed a dog or cat.
The pupil stage of development can stay in the carpets undisturbed edges of
floors etc for up to one year. These
pupas will develop into adult fleas as soon as the house is occupied again.
How to handle a flea plague
If you have a pet, contact your vet for advice on
the many different flea products available.
Treat you pet and its bedding for the fleas at the same time as
Stewarts Pest Control are treating your home; otherwise all your efforts will
be wasted.
All stages of flea development may occur in your
carpet and furniture. For the best control follow the following steps:
v
Firstly
vacuum carpets, floors and upholstered furniture. Pay particular attention to areas that are not
disturbed often, for example behind doors, furniture, cupboards etc. Dont
forget underneath the couch and other furniture. The contents of the vacuum
cleaner dust bag should be treated with an insecticide or placed in the
freezer for 24 hours before disposal.
v
Stewarts
Pest Control will come to your home and spray all carpet areas and affected
areas outside mainly concentrating on the soil areas. This chemical will
leave a residual. Be aware that more
than one pesticide treatment may be required for a severe infestation. Stewarts Pest Control offers you a service
agreement warranty for this very reason.
Please contact our office on (08) 9274 8444 or 13
BUGS 13 (2847) and we will discuss a program suitable to your situation.
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