How to Get Rid of Cat & Dog Fleas in Your Summerfield, FL Home; Professional Pest Control!

Throughout Florida, fleas are a common pest. With various types of fleas existing, Floridians combat Dog Fleas, Cat Fleas, and Human Fleas, but the most abundant fleas in the United States, are cat fleas, and they are the primary flea causing trouble to Floridians. Today, we at Pest 911 would like to expound on cat fleas versus dog fleas.

Can Cat Fleas Affect Dogs & Can Dog Fleas Affect Cats?

There are differences that vary from dog flea, to cat flea and other types of fleas for that matter, though they are extremely similar. In fact you need a microscope to tell them apart with physical characteristics. Dog fleas will infest your dog, but will not harm your cat, however cat fleas have adapted, and not only will they infest your cat, but your dog as well. In recent years, cat fleas are the culprits causing the most harm to dogs and cats than other flea species.

Cat Fleas

Cat fleas, or more formally known as Ctenocephalides felis, still seem to prefer cats to live on and feed on their blood but will easily live and feed on your canine friends as well. Though cat fleas will bite humans if given the opportunity, they are incapable of living on people. Cat fleas reproduce very quickly and once a female becomes an adult, she can lay up 20 eggs a day, and they only need 2-4 days to hatch. If they are not efficiently treated, fleas can develop and live up to a year and multiply incredibly quick. Cat fleas are brown in color, and their eggs are white. These fleas might be seen on pet fur with contrasting colors, but even so they can be extremely hard to see due to their tiny stature. However, sometimes the dry blood can be visible, giving owners an indication that there is a flea issue. Insecticides made for public use tend to be ineffective because most of the fleas have built up a tolerance for them, making professional services a must for effective removal. Cat fleas are known to spread different diseases, but typhus or the Bartonella are the most common and if ingested, they can cause a formation of tapeworms that can be spread after they develop.

Dog Fleas

Ctenocephalides canis, also known as dog fleas are heavily populated in Europe but are common enough in the U.S. and Florida that it is worth mentioning. Where cat fleas are more likely to be infesting your dog, as studies show that over 95% of reported cases of dogs being infested fleas are cat fleas, dog fleas can be a problem as well. A female dog flea can produce 4,000 eggs in her lifespan. These fleas can easily bite people like the cat fleas, but also like the cat fleas, they are not capable of living on people.

Flea Control

Fleas can be difficult to treat, as their eggs could have fallen off anywhere your pet goes, from inside and outside locations. If you suspect your pet has fleas, take them to a vet for medical treatment and call Pest 911 to treat your home and yard for fleas to ensure they are efficiently removed from harming your or your pets. Contact us for all your pest control needs.