Cat fleas as they look in the photo

Cat fleas are the most common species of all representatives of the flea family. Insects are characterized by survivability and adaptability. They parasitize not only on cats, but also on dogs, birds, and are aggressive towards people. This type of pest is one of the strongest - when migrating to rodents, it is completely crowded out. rat fleas. If you know what a cat flea looks like, the features of its reproduction and parasitism, the fight against a dangerous pest will be greatly simplified.

How to recognize cat fleas

Cat fleas look the same as their close relatives: dog, rat. Only a narrow-profile entomologist can distinguish one species from another. The parasite is characterized by small size and a dark brown shiny color. The body length of an adult varies between 2-5 mm. A fertilized female whose eggs are formed increases in size to 15 mm.

The cat flea in the photo has a very threatening appearance due to a flat forehead, close-set eyes and an abundance of bristles, densely covering the body. These peculiar teeth allow the parasite to move freely in the hair of a cat or other animal.

The wings of the insect are absent; their presence would prevent them from moving in the dense cover of the victim. The lack of flying ability is more than compensated by the jumping ability, which provides 3 pairs of legs. The hind legs are especially strongly developed, a special resilin protein accumulates in the muscle part, due to which the flea is able to overcome a distance 200 times its own size in one jump.

Interesting!

Fleas are famous for their jumpingbut during landing they are completely helpless and cannot project the landing site exactly. Insects do not receive damage solely due to their low weight.

From dog fleas the feline differs in the oblate shape of the forehead, and from the rat - in a more even body structure and smaller size. These differences can be identified only on a photo of cat fleas or upon a detailed examination under a microscope.

Features of parasitism and reproduction

The oral apparatus of cat fleas is designed in such a way that they can only eat blood. Due to the short proboscis during the meal, the parasite is almost upright and part of its body is in the wound. All adults are fed with blood, regardless of gender.

Fleas are selected for prey, focusing on temperature fluctuations, the smell of the victim. Jumping onto a cat or other animal, the parasite makes several punctures. Saturated enough, leaves the body of the donor and begins to mate actively. In the body of the female embryos are formed. The female is not distinguished by the qualities of a hen and the eggs are squeezed out of themselves during movement. During its life, the female reproduces from 300 to 500 embryos.

On a note!

Cat flea eggs have a smooth shell and miniature dimensions of 0.5 mm. Most of them are concentrated in the litter of the cat, occasionally they can be in the coat of the pet.The absence of a sticky substance on the shell and the peculiarity of the reproductive function of the female ensure the spread of eggs throughout the room or in the nearby space to the places where fleas accumulate.

Under favorable conditions, the development of eggs occurs within 5-10 days, after which fleshy vermiform larvae appear from them. Newborn individuals feed on organic residues, metabolic products of adults. Cats usually don’t find them in the coat. The younger generation is hiding in the secluded dark corners of the apartment. If there is a food supply and a favorable temperature regime, after 9 days, the larvae go to the pupation stage.

Parasite life span

How many cat fleas live, depends on environmental conditions, the ability to fully eat. Optimal conditions for life:

• humidity 60%;
• temperature 24-28 ° С.

At such indicators of temperature and humidity, a cat flea lives for 1.5 years (including the stages of an egg, larva, pupa), provided that it dies by natural death. However, in the natural environment, the average life expectancy does not exceed 3 months. At temperature increase stages of development are faster and the duration of the life cycle is greatly reduced.

Lowering the temperature slows down the development of the insect at all stages, and at temperatures below 3 ° C the parasites die.

Interesting!

Cat fleas can live without food for 2 months. During a hungry diet, they do not fall into suspended animation and continue to move actively. Lack of nutrition affects reproduction of the population only. No eggs are formed in the body of a hungry female.

Why are cat fleas dangerous?

Parasites do not mask during a bite and do not inject anesthetics into the puncture site. The flea saliva contains an enzyme that has a protein structure and provokes the appearance of allergic reactions. Symptoms of a flea bite:

• pain
• severe itching;
• the appearance of red blisters and swelling.

Regular attacks of bloodsuckers can lead to weakening, lower immunity, anemia of a cat. Fleas carry about 25 dangerous viruses, helminth eggs, so fight parasites should be at the first sign of their appearance.

Feedback

Detect fleas in a cat very easy. Ate a pet with light hair - just push the hairline with a comb and you can notice small dark points moving in the hair. To inspect a cat with a dark color, it is better to lay a white sheet - when combed, brown insects will fall off and are easy to recognize against a light background.

Julia, Saratov

How to rid a cat of fleas

There are a huge number of ways to deal with cat fleas. Of folk remedies recognized as the most effective tar soap. Regular water procedures with tar tar will kill blood-sucking insects and prevent their appearance.

Industrial facilities are divided into several categories:

1. Anti-Flea Shampoos contain insecticidal substances or plant extracts that contribute to the expulsion and destruction of jumping pests. The tool is selected taking into account the age of the cat, state of health, the presence of pregnancy. Most shampoos solve a flea problem in one treatment. Effective ones are considered Lugovoi and Leopard.
   

   

2. Flea drops for cats - the easiest to use tool. They are available in pipettes with a specific dosage. The product is applied to a place inaccessible for licking the pet. Insecticidal substances spread throughout the skin, concentrate in the upper layer of the epidermis and are detrimental to fleas. The destruction of parasites occurs within 24 hours. Drops provide long-term protection against repeated flea infestation for 2-3 months. The product has age restrictions and depends on the manufacturer.Depending on this, pet owners can choose the drug at their discretion: 4 with a ponytail, Front line, Delix, Rolf Club 3D, Barrier, Dana Ultra Neo, Stronghold, Adventage, Blokhnet, Celandine, Helmintal, Inspector other. Their properties can be found in detail in a veterinary pharmacy.
3. Flea sprays have much in common with drops. The difference between the means in its application. Sprays are available in polymer bottles equipped with a spray head. 2 days before the procedure, the cat is not bathed. Spray is applied evenly throughout the body in accordance with the instructions in the instructions. Well proven sprays Front line and Leopard. After the product has dried, comb the pet. Within 2 days after treatment, the cat is contraindicated in water procedures and contact with other animals.
4. Anti-collar collars perform a protective function. The inner part of the strap is impregnated with an insecticidal solution, the active substance of which has a detrimental effect on blood-sucking insects. Against cat fleas, many prefer to buy collars Beaphar, Celandine, Leopard.

Destruction of cat fleas in the apartment

Reasons for the appearance of fleas in the apartment, the house may be a few. And not always the culprit is the pet. Basement, attic parasites can penetrate engineering communications, insects can be brought on clothes, shoes.

Measures to destroy fleas boil down to a thorough cleaning of the apartment and insecticidal treatment. Aerosols and solutions prepared from concentrates and emulsions have a destructive effect on adults. Places where there may be eggs and cat flea larvae are additionally treated with dust powders.