Flea Identification
Fleas
• Scientific name:
The most common flea in Florida is the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), which also infests dogs, humans, and other mammals.
• What they look like:
Adult fleas are very small (about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long), dark reddish-brown, and have laterally compressed, flattened bodies.
They are wingless but have strong hind legs adapted for jumping.
Biology and behavior:
• Complex life cycle:
Fleas have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The entire life cycle can be completed in as little as 21 to 28 days in ideal conditions, but the pupal stage can remain dormant for many months, making infestations difficult to eliminate.
• "Hitchhikers":
Fleas most often enter a business on pets, employees' clothing, or even on people's shoes.
• Feeding:
Adult fleas feed on blood from warm-blooded animals and may bite multiple times during a single feeding session. They are attracted to warmth, vibrations, and carbon dioxide from potential hosts.
Commercial threat:
• Nuisance and brand damage:
In high-traffic businesses like hotels, kennels, and retail stores, flea infestations are not just a nuisance but a serious threat to a brand's reputation.
Complaints of itchy bites can cause severe damage to customer satisfaction.
• Health and safety:
While the bubonic plague is rare, fleas can transmit murine typhus and tapeworms. Their bites can also cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in both humans and pets.
• Hidden infestation:
A small number of adult fleas can indicate a much larger population of eggs, larvae, and pupae hidden in carpets, upholstery, and cracks in the floor.
• Difficult to treat:
DIY methods are often ineffective because they do not address all four life stages of the flea.
• Our solution:
"Effective flea control requires a professional, multi-stage approach. Our technicians use a combination of adulticides and Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) to treat all life stages. We will also recommend a comprehensive plan that includes preparing the infested area and follow-up treatments to ensure complete eradication for your Tallahassee, Wakulla, Gadsden, and Liberty County business".
