Flea infestations can affect anyone in your household; these parasites don’t care who they bite. Read on to learn how to get rid of fleas in your home.
First, to the question: Can dog and cat fleas live on humans?
The short answer is: fleas may bite you, but they won’t live on you. Fleas seek out a dog or cat as their favorite host and blood meal.
Two specific species most commonly live and feed on your cats and dogs: Ctenocephalides felis – the scientific name for cat fleas, and Ctenocephalides canis – the scientific name for dog fleas.
Despite their names, cat fleas are most commonly found on dogs and cats. This is because fleas are not host-specific, meaning that although their preferred host is a cat or dog, both will happily feed on either cats or dogs, and sometimes even humans!
The good news for pet owners is that while they can certainly bite you, they won’t live on you. Scientific research shows that our relatively hairless bodies aren’t great hiding places. Fleas have a hard time attaching themselves to them and don’t provide enough warmth for them to survive long-term.
The dark, moist environment of your fur is the perfect place for fleas to live. For this reason, fleas can’t even reproduce on you. They need a dog, cat, or other pet, so if you’re the only food source around, they can’t complete their life cycle and reproduce.
But keep in mind that fleas often stay on our skin and inside our clothes for short periods of time, using us as “carriers” and waiting for a more suitable host, such as your cat or dog, before pouncing on them. They can also infest our homes by laying eggs on your pet, which fall into the surrounding environment on furniture and carpet; the eggs can then lie dormant before hatching into larvae and developing into adult fleas.
Is there also such a thing as a human flea?
Yes, but don’t worry. There are about 2,000 species of fleas and fortunately only one species that infests humans lives in our country, the human flea, Pulex irritans , which is rarely a problem in Europe.
How do you know if you’ve been bitten by a flea?
To help you figure out whether the itchy red spot you found on your skin is just a spot, an insect bite, or something more sinister, here are some ways flea bites manifest themselves:
- You have found a small scab on your skin that has a light red border.
- Clusters of red spots after bites that have swollen up similar to mosquito bites.
- You were bitten mainly on your ankles and feet.
Other signs of fleas in your home include:
- Have you found black specks that look like ground pepper? This is called flea “dirt,” which is actually flea droppings.
- Your pets are scratching more than usual
Can people get infected with anything from fleas?
Fleas not only bite, but infected fleas can also transmit various diseases to humans.
- Flea-borne diseases – Ignoring a flea infestation is unwise and can be detrimental to your health and that of your pets. Even if you get over the discomfort of the irritating bites, infected fleas can spread serious diseases. It is relatively common for a person to contract Bartonella, often known as cat scratch disease, from infected flea droppings under a cat’s claws. All you have to do is play with your flea-infested cat, who can easily scratch or bite you as part of the game.
- Allergic reactions to flea bites – Not only our pets, but we humans can also have an allergic reaction to flea bites. The skin can become swollen, itchy, and irritated, sometimes with red bumps, hives, or a rash. If this happens, it’s best to see a doctor.
- Tapeworm Risk – Fleas can carry tapeworms and can pose a risk to your pet and your household. If your pet, or even a human (although this is rare), ingests a flea-borne tapeworm ( Dipylidium caninum ), for example by licking their fur, they can become infected.
How to get rid of fleas…?
If you have fleas in your home, in addition to treating your pet for fleas, you must also treat your home to ensure that any hidden flea eggs and larvae that have the potential to re-infest it are removed.
At your place or your family’s?
- Never use flea products intended for pets on humans – Medicated products for your pets should only be used on your pets as they can cause serious health problems in humans.
- Relieve itching – The biggest problem is itchy flea bites. To relieve the itching, talk to your pharmacist about over-the-counter options.
- Avoid scratching – Although it may be difficult, try to avoid scratching the bite site. This can open the scab and delay healing. It also increases the risk of infection.
On my pets?
Prevention is always better than cure, and regularly treating your pet with a flea preventative is one of the most effective ways to prevent flea infestations. There are many different types of flea products on the market, including tablets, collars, spot-on products and sprays, depending on which one suits your pet and lifestyle best. You can also consult your veterinarian, who will be sure to recommend the right product to protect you, your pets and your home from fleas. The Foresto flea collar is unlike any other flea product on the market. Foresto provides the longest-lasting flea protection in a single dose. Simply put the collar on your dog or cat and it will kill fleas and ticks for up to 8 months, and it will also repel ticks.
In my house?
Whenever you treat your pet for fleas, you should also consider treating your home. Fleas love warm hiding places, making carpets, furniture and other soft furnishings the ideal environment for their larvae and eggs.
Removing fleas in the home:
- Vacuum regularly – Thoroughly vacuum all carpets, rugs, sofas and other upholstered furniture, making sure to get into hidden areas, such as under the sofa and bed and behind furniture. Pay special attention to areas where your pet likes to sleep or play, but make sure to cover the entire house, as fleas and flea eggs don’t just stay in places where your dog or cat has been.
- Wash your laundry – Wash all bedding and other linens, such as blankets, clothes and curtains, preferably at 60°C. If possible, also dry your laundry at a high temperature.
- Clean your pet’s bedding – Wash your pet’s bedding at a high temperature separately from your own laundry.
- Use a flea spray at home – Use a flea spray at home recommended by your veterinarian or pharmacist to help you reach places your vacuum cleaner can’t, like crevices and any hard-to-reach corners.
It may take several weeks to completely eliminate a flea problem, but if you are patient and consistent, you will achieve your goal. To prevent re-infestation, it is important to treat all your pets regularly.