There are many species of fleas but in the U.S. it is cat and dog fleas that cause most problems, which is why it is always better to prevent fleas by taking some simple precautions.
The main concern about fleas is how to identify whether the distress and discomfort that you or your pets are going through may be as a result of flea bites.
Adult Dog fleas feed on the blood of dogs and cats, and they occasionally bite humans.
It is a vector of the Dog Tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum, which can also affect humans.
Appearance
Adult is brownish black in color, but appear reddish–black after a blood meal.
Adult dog fleas are 1 to 4 mm long. The legless larva is off–white and measures up to 5 mm long.
Lifecycle
The fleas go through a four–stage life cycle: eggs, larvae, pupae, adult.
The larvae are longer than the adults and feed on particles of dry blood, excrement, and organic substances.
Habits
The body is laterally flattened, which allows it to move easily through an animal’s fur. Spines project backwards from the body of the flea, which help it to hold onto the host animal during grooming.
As they can jump approximately 6 inches, they can move from host to host. They can also infest garden lawns.
Bird fleas can multiply enormously in hen houses, breeders, and other similar environments.
Appearance
Adult fleas are generally brownish in color, and 1/32"-5/16" long.
The eyes as well as the antennae are apparent. Their mouthparts are well adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood and project downwards from the head.
Lifecycle
Bird fleas can only live for a short time indoors and only in nests.
They breed during the nesting period when the host and/or young are available for regular blood meals.
Habits
Adult bird fleas live in bird nests. When the birds move from the nest, the adult fleas must find a new host.
If the nest is reused, the pupae will hatch, mate and continue the breeding cycle.
Bird fleas can multiply enormously in hen houses, breeders, etc.