Facts about Fleas in the environment

Itchy cats will almost certainly have fleas and up to 80%
of itchy cats will have a flea allergy. Fleas can make older cats very ill and can be life threatening to very young kittens. Recent developments in flea control products have resulted in some
that can be used on pregnant queens and young kittens but veterinary advice must always be taken. If a cat has fleas,
it will invariably have tape worms and these will need treating
(usually in tablet form, available from your vet).

General Information:

- only adult fleas are found on the cat
- eggs, larvae and pupae develop in the environment e.g. the house
- development from larvae to pupae can take eighteen months or
much less.
- one adult female can lay 600 eggs.
- all stages in the development of the flea are visible to the naked eye.
- unfed adult fleas can survive up to five months before feeding.
- sick, old and very young cats can have heavy infestations.
- adult fleas mate on the cat or dog ( they are not fussy which)
- female fleas then lay non-sticky white eggs.

Triggers to Hatching:

- vibration (footsteps)
- warmth
- presence of carbon dioxide
- low Levels of juvenile hormone must be present in the pupa

Fleas, a success story - factors favouring fleas:

-fleas can live off a variety of different hosts
-favourable environmental temperature and humidity will increase
numbers central heating they love but cold, dry conditions will
reduce numbers).
-lack of environmental flea control will increase numbers
-lack of flea control on all animals in the environment will
increase numbers
-lifestyle of the animals (those that go out can bring fleas
back into the environment).
-the health status of the cat and its ability to groom well.