Fleas, so natural for animals, perfectly inhabit different corners of the human home as larvae. But soon there are a lot of them, and household members begin to feel numerous bites of blood-sucking creatures. Homius.ru magazine cannot leave its readers in the lurch and offers more information about what fleas are in an apartment, where they come from and how to get rid of this scourge.
Not only do they bite, but they are also not pretty to look at
The danger of fleas to humans, and what kind of creatures they are
Fleas differ in appearance from head and body lice in their narrow body, black shiny body and long hind legs.
Fleas live for 2-3 months and during this period they selflessly lay up to 500 eggs each
The lifespan of biting insects in warm conditions of a house or apartment is longer. In addition, bed fleas, earth fleas, sand fleas, insects from cats and dogs, rats and mice get along well in the warmth.
Any flea poses a threat to human health, as it can be a carrier of plague, salmonellosis, typhus, relapsing fever, anthrax, trypanosomasis, encephalitis, tularemia, listeriosis and other diseases.
Fleas from cats: for some reason, the cat population bites people much more often than dog “tenants”
Types of fleas
The insect differs in species, each of which has its own characteristics and name:
- Human flea. The most common type of brownish body is 1.6-3.2 millimeters in length. It makes jumps in height up to 30 centimeters, and in length up to 50. Unlike other types of fleas, it does not have head and thoracic teeth. It can settle in both animals and humans, and is a carrier of diseases such as plague and pulicosis.
- Cat flea. It lives not only on the body of cats, but also on the body of dogs, rodents and humans. Carries plague and brucellosis. The size of a cat flea can vary from 0.75 to 5 millimeters.
- The dog flea is the same common species and can live in the same places as human and cat fleas. Carries flatworms, plague, leprosy bacillus, Marseilles fever and other pathogens and parasites.
- The southern rat flea, in addition to plague, can carry mouse and rat tapeworms. Lives in countries with warm climates. The length of the female can reach from 1.8 to 2.7 millimeters, and the male from 1.4 to 2 millimeters. Color – light brown or dark brown.
- Alakurt or Tien Shan flea. Fertilized females, unlike other types of fleas, expand not in width, but in length. The color is black; during “settlement” on the animal’s body they change their color to white. They lead an active life in winter, attacking livestock; those that were abundantly covered with alakurt in winter will not survive until spring.
- Sand flea. This species is common in Haiti, Brazil, Guiana, Africa, India, and Pakistan. The flea's body is only 1 mm, the unfertilized female is red-brown in color with a white spot in the middle, the fertilized female changes its color to white and swells up to 1 centimeter in diameter. They bite through the skin of animals' feet, and crawl under human fingernails and fingernails. They are causative agents of tetanus; a bite can cause gangrene, which can lead to amputation, and also leads to sarcopsillosis.
- Flea Glaciopsyllus antarcticus. Lives only in Antarctica. The body length of females reaches 4 millimeters, and males 3. They parasitize Antarctic birds and live in their nests.
- Malacopsylla grossiventris. It lives in South America on mammals such as armadillos, rodents and many others. They differ from other types of fleas in that this species lays the largest number of eggs.
Causes of fleas in the home
It’s understandable when biting insects attack street animals, but how do they get into residential buildings and apartments? Let's find out how the enemy gets into our territory.
Flea infestation in apartments of multi-storey buildings in the city
There are always plenty of fleas on the street, we just don’t notice them, but when the little nasty biters are found on the 7th or 15th floor, it becomes uncomfortable: well, how did they get there? And why not: warm, dry, not hungry. Have you processed one apartment? No problem, the flea fraternity will move to the neighboring one like illegal migrants.
It turns out that the number of floors does not protect against insects
The first settlers end up in apartments with pets, rats, mice. Also, fleas from basements easily penetrate through the ventilation. If there is a warehouse on the ground floor, then uninvited tiny bloodsuckers may appear from there.
Petted a stray cat? And she gave you a few fleas as a gift, which will arrive on your clothes at your new place of residence.
Flea colonies in a private house or country house
The same paths work in village houses. In addition, earthen (basement) fleas are more often found there. Cats and dogs willingly bring their fur parasites into the house, which quickly hide under baseboards and all sorts of cracks, and take a liking to the bed, carpet and other cozy places.
There are no animals in the apartment, but there are fleas
Many people wonder where fleas come from if there are no animals in the house, especially in a high-rise apartment. Old houses with outdated communications and damp basements are the main “supplier” of fleas in apartments. If you find fleas, check the basement first. Often the management company does not fulfill its duties - the basement is damp, it is open to wild animals, rodents and marginalized individuals. We need to raise the alarm.
5 best ways to quickly get rid of fleas in an apartment
It is in such premises, as well as in dirty entrances that have not seen repairs for decades, that infection of all apartments is observed.
Important. Be sure to write an application to the management company or the housing office, signed by all residents. Utility workers are required to sanitize the basement and front doors in case of infection.
Damp, damp and dark rooms are an ideal incubator for blood-sucking parasites. Warm water pipes that leak, with the beginning of the heating season, can cause rapid development of the population.
Sometimes an apartment or house has old wooden floors, especially in bathrooms and toilets. If you bring one flea from the street onto your clothes into such a room, the insects will begin to multiply, hiding in the cracks of the floors and under the baseboards.
Important. Household fleas (larvae) can enter a stage of suspended animation at low temperatures for up to eight months and begin to develop when ideal conditions arise.
Everything you didn't know about fleas:
Looking for flea nests
What we pay attention to first of all: if there is a furry pet living in the house, we observe its behavior. Itchy? Sadly, a cat or dog has blood-sucking, biting creatures in its fur. When examining the animal, you should pay attention to inflammation and allergic signs on the skin.
“Scratchiness” is a sure sign of a flea family living on a pet. If you want to find out how large the flea population is, lay out white sheets in places where jumping black dots often appear and observe the accumulation of insects.
We do not pass by the pet's bedding. Or maybe it already belongs to a flea colony? If this is so, then events take on a threatening character.
There is no need to look for nests higher than 1.5 m from the floor, so we inspect carpets, cracks, baseboards, soft toys, containers containing sand or soil.
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How to detect fleas
There is a very simple and effective way to detect these parasites in your home. If you suspect their presence, you need to conduct a test with paper. To do this, take regular white A4 sheets.
The sheets are placed on the floor, next to the bed or on the bed. After 20 minutes, black dots can be seen on the paper. The main thing is not to move during the test. The dots disappear with the slightest movement.
If there are very small brown spots on the bed, this also indicates the presence of bed fleas. They look like commas. Bed fleas come out to hunt at night. The appearance of bites after sleep indicates that blood-sucking parasites have infested the bed.
If there are very small brown spots on the bed, this also indicates the presence of bed fleas.
We fight fleas in the house using traditional methods and cleaning
Folk remedies will help if the colonies are not too large. For example, if events unfold in winter, then you can follow the example of Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov and surrender the “city” to the enemies: open the windows wide and retreat from the apartment. Frost is not to the liking of insects, especially if the bed linen and carpets are also frozen.
Another opposite method: we treat beds, carpets and other surfaces with a steam generator.
If there is none, cover the furniture with a damp sheet and iron each corner with a hot iron.
Dog and cat bedding is either replaced with new ones or washed thoroughly in hot water. Linen and all items are also subject to global washing.
The floor is washed 2-3 times a week with bleach, and a rag soaked in bleach should lie at the threshold for some time. They do the same thing with baseboards and cracks.
Herbal decoctions and essential oils against fleas
Before large-scale production of chemicals, our grandmothers and great-grandmothers also fought and won the war against fleas. Nature itself offers the right remedies: sprigs of mint, wormwood, tansy, eucalyptus or their essential oils are not to the liking of insects.
Essential oil is inexpensive, and its aromas will make your home unsuitable for blood-sucking creatures
Don't rely only on herbs and essential oils. Another effective way to fight is to use a mixture of water, soda and salt. All ingredients are taken in equal proportions. The solution is infused for 12 hours and all surfaces from smooth to fleecy are sprayed with it.
As a result, part of the colony dies, but the other escapes to its neighbors. Unfortunately, this remedy does not work on flea eggs.
Flea industry: choosing household insecticides
The chemicals contain substances that can cause nervous system paralysis and subsequent death in fleas. All such potent drugs are produced as solutions, aerosols and powders.
Flea sprays
Aerosols are ready to use and very effective. They spray all surfaces and secret places.
Convenient and easy to use
"Raid" is the most common means and highly effective
"Raptor" has no odor, so the room is not left after treatment
"Get" works on many insects. In order to have enough aerosol, it is better to buy 2-3 pieces at once
“Dichlorphostom” is often used - only 10 ml is needed to treat 1 m², but you should not exceed the application rate of 300 ml per day.
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Flea solutions
The solutions are so called because the active agent is diluted in water and poured into a spray bottle. The effect is guaranteed only as a result of high-quality spraying of surfaces and crevices.
"Medilis" is a 25% emulsion concentrate; to thoroughly treat 1 m², you need 50 ml of product
“Butox 50” is economical: take 30 ml for 10 liters of water, and the resulting solution is enough for 100 m²
“Cucaracha” works powerfully, one 50 ml bottle is enough to treat rooms of about 100 m²
“Executioner” is dissolved in 0.5 liters of water. To clean an average-sized two-room apartment you will need 20 bottles
In addition to the above drugs, such products as “Tetrix”, “Get”, “Cifox” are in demand.
What are bed fleas?
Fleas are a group of blood-sucking insects that can carry various diseases. The Latin name of the parasites, Siphonaptera, consists of two ancient Greek words, which translated into Russian mean “pump” and “wingless.” This definition was not given in vain, because unlike many other insects, the flea cannot fly. But she has three pairs of paws, thanks to which she is able to make jumps 30 cm high and 0.5 meters long. And this despite the fact that the length of the flea itself does not exceed 3 mm. The body of the parasite is covered with a durable chitinous covering, and large bristles allow the flea to firmly cling to the hairs on the body of animals or humans.
The flea is invulnerable thanks to its durable chitinous shell
Scientists do not classify bed fleas as a separate group. This name is given based on the parasite’s habitat. Feeding on the blood of a person or animal, the parasites attack the sleeping bed in order to profit. In fact, the bed is their temporary habitat. They live in floor cracks, behind baseboards, in fluffy carpets, under cabinets and in animal hair. They are attracted to the bed only if the linen has not been washed for a long time, and a lot of dust has accumulated in the crevices of the sofa.
Where do parasites come from and how to determine their presence in the house
Bed fleas appear in a house or apartment not always through the fault of the owners. Even the cleanest residents can be attacked due to certain external factors. The most common reasons:
- the entrance is an ideal habitat for parasites, since it is often damp and dirty. They easily enter the home through cracks and open doors;
- neighbors - if fleas appear on some residents, then all nearby apartments will face a problem;
- the presence of rats and mice in the basement of the house - these animals are often carriers of various parasites, including fleas;
- dampness in the bathroom;
- pets after a walk or the owner himself - fleas jump high enough to cling to you or your pet even when you are just walking down the street.
You can tell that there are parasites in the house by the characteristic bites that look like mosquito bites. Most often, blood-sucking insects bite the legs and, unlike bedbugs, do this around the clock. Due to the fact that there are no anesthetic enzymes in their saliva, the bites are very painful. Pets that begin to actively itch also signal the appearance of parasites.
The average size of bed fleas is 1–3 mm, the color is most often dark brown, almost black, so it is difficult to see them with the naked eye. To check whether there are parasites on the bed, you can do an easy test: put a white sheet of paper. Appearing and disappearing black dots will confirm their presence.
It is recommended to carefully inspect the bed and bedding, as fleas leave excrement behind them. They look like fine black sand. Small hard white balls near baseboards, under cabinets, and sofas also indicate the presence of parasites. These are eggs laid by the female and larvae.
The danger of flea bites and first aid
Fleas are carriers of such dangerous diseases as tuberculosis, typhoid, bubonic plague, hepatitis B and C. Their bites provoke a severe allergic reaction (especially in children), and can also cause nervous breakdown in an adult. Skin lesions caused by parasite attack can cause sarcopsillosis or pulicosis. These diseases are accompanied by pain, swelling, itching, and in some cases affect the central nervous system.
Flea bites cause dangerous diseases such as sarcopsillosis or pulicosis
If painful red swellings are found on the body, it is strongly recommended to wash and treat the wound with an antiseptic to prevent possible infection. The affected area of the body should be washed with soap and treated with one of the available means:
- greenery;
- iodine;
- hydrogen peroxide;
- alcohol lotion;
- Miramistin.
To get rid of itching and relieve swelling, it is recommended to apply ice to the wound. If, after taking all preventive measures, a person experiences weakness, lethargy, or has a fever, you should immediately consult a doctor. The specialist will conduct an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Ultrasound to repel fleas
If an ultrasonic repeller works in the house, then insects will feel uncomfortable living there. But turning it on once won’t drive the bloodsuckers out of the house, just as loud music from a neighbor turned on once won’t evict us.
To influence representatives of the flea world, you need to get a rodent repeller
High frequencies will expel the pest, but not in one go. The operation of a high-quality ultrasonic repeller should be silent. The coverage of the territory affects the price of the device.
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Preventive anti-flea measures
It is very difficult to remove fleas, so it is necessary to take measures to prevent their occurrence.
They include:
- Airing and sunbathing for pillows, mattresses, carpets and blankets;
- It is useful to use a vacuum cleaner when cleaning;
- An infusion of wormwood is added to the water for washing floors; tansy can also be sprayed on furniture;
- It wouldn’t hurt to place wormwood under the beds and in the corners.
Fleas appear in a home for many different reasons, and it does not necessarily mean the presence of pets. Before starting to fight bloodsuckers, they find out these very reasons and carry out prevention of re-entry into the house, and then begin to fight.
Folk remedies for how to get fleas out of the house quickly:
A serious approach to pest control: we call in professionals
SES services regularly do their job using chemicals of toxicity classes 3 and 4. The workers arrive at the apartment in full equipment, which suggests the obvious harmfulness of such work.
Preparing an apartment for disinfestation and what to do after it
First, let's remember about our little brothers and remove them from the apartment. Now we begin to put the food and utensils into sealed packaging. Much can be stored in the refrigerator.
You also need to take personal hygiene items, hiding them away, children’s toys and underwear. It is enough to cover simple household appliances with film.
After disinfestation, the rooms are ventilated for two hours; it is better to stay with neighbors or just visit during this time.
Surfaces are wiped with a solution of soda ash (50 g per 1 liter of water). They wipe everything our hands touch.
Important! General and wet cleaning are carried out no earlier than after 2 weeks.
Hot and cold fog
The workers carry serious equipment called a fog generator. The steam can be hot or cold. It contains highly effective insecticidal agents, thanks to the fine dispersion of which the fog penetrates into all sorts of crevices.
Cold fog hangs in the air for up to 4 hours, and if the treatment is carried out with hot fog, it settles on the surface for about 10 hours.
Since the fog settles and the substances crystallize in the cracks, the residual effect of insecticides continues for several more weeks.
The apartment is processed from 30 minutes to an hour.
How to get rid of fleas on cats and dogs
To defeat jumping fleas, animals have a number of means, including anti-flea collars, aerosols, drops and shampoos.
It is possible and necessary to save an animal from bites
Collars are worn by both cats and dogs: the material is impregnated with a special composition with active substances. Validity period – 1-3 months. You should know that you cannot wear a collar and use other insecticidal preparations at the same time.
The aerosol is sprayed onto the animal's fur coat, doing this very carefully: the product should not get into the animal's eyes, nose or ears.
The shampoo is used during bathing: it is foamed and left on without rinsing for about 10 minutes. Within a month, the animal will be protected from attacks by harmful nippers.
Drops are applied to the withers, shoulder blades or back of the head. The animals are not washed for 4 days after the procedure. Drops protect pets for up to 2 months.
How to get rid
Naturally, treating your apartment for fleas will be the most appropriate action. Consistent procedures will lead to the disappearance of parasites. Very tenacious due to the variety of stages of their development. Small larvae cannot tolerate sunlight, so using one type of insecticidal method will not be enough. A set of measures for destruction and further prevention will be the only way to self-defense.
professional flea removal
When solving the problem of how to get rid of cat fleas in an apartment, the answer is simple - treat the cat with special drops and clean the living space. Simultaneous anti-parasitic work will give results.
Destruction consists of several stages:
- general cleaning of the premises;
- processing of animals (or birds);
- periodic processing for the purpose of preventive measures.
The stages of getting rid of apartment bloodsuckers are identical.
How to get rid of them if you have an animal? The pet is completely disinfected.
There are various means of industrial production:
- drops.
flea drops
Quite a simple, cheap way. The disadvantage of use is a large list of contraindications. When used correctly, they are effective and absolutely safe for the animal.
- collars.
flea collar for animals
The advantage is that exposure to parasites increases. The pet does not have the opportunity to lick the medicine.
- shampoos.
flea shampoo for dogs
The antiparasitic effect is achieved after the first application. The effect lasts for several weeks, provided that the animal does not live on the street.
- spray.
flea and tick spray
The advantage of one-time use simultaneously with home treatment.
From the basement
After taking insecticidal measures with our pets, we think about how to get rid of indoor insects. To be effective, surfaces are treated with powders containing insecticidal contents. And then they spray aerosols with a harmful substance. Spray surfaces, not forgetting hard-to-reach places where larvae and adults hide.
getting rid of basement fleas
Earth fleas in the house require radical measures. A specialized team is called in to exterminate various insects. The disadvantage will be prolonged exposure to the toxic substance, which will require you to leave your place of residence for several days.
When deciding on a method: how to get rid of basement bloodsuckers, be guided not only by the effect of the drug, but also by its non-toxicity for people and animals.
From animals
How long do bloodsuckers live without an animal in the apartment? There is a misconception that if you temporarily remove the cause of parasites—your pet from the premises—then the insects will go away. It is a mistake to think that parasites will have nothing to eat. Know that when starving, the female does not lay eggs. Then she will bite a person. At each feeding - a new clutch. Getting rid of an infectious pet will not help you vacate your home.
flea reproduction on animals
How to get rid of rat blood-sucking insects in an apartment?
- If the rat is domestic, the pet is completely treated. And then do a general cleaning of the home using insecticidal substances, which are purchased at hardware stores and specialized retail outlets.
- If introduced with the help of basement rats, contact the service for the destruction of these animals and further chemical cleaning of the basement.
It is necessary to treat your apartment for fleas immediately after your beloved animal is disinfected. It is advisable to remove your pet from the home during cleaning to avoid contact with chemicals. The person cleaning the premises should take care of personal self-protection: a mask, gloves, special clothing that covers exposed skin.
getting rid of fleas with special means
With the selection of specialized insecticidal methods on the market, removing fleas from your home will not be difficult. But you need to approach disposal carefully. You need to be patient, as the effects of the substances are long-lasting.
