Color: Reddish-brown
Characteristics: Flat, hard bodies. Long hind legs.
Size: 1/6-1/12th of an inch in length
Potentially Dangerous: Yes
Bites & Stings
Blood Sucking
Difficult to Eradicate
Difficult to See
Hitchhiking
Fleas are tiny, flightless parasites, measuring between 1/12 to 1/6 of an inch, that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. Their strong hind legs enable them to jump up to eight inches vertically, allowing them to move quickly between hosts. Fleas are typically reddish in color, becoming darker after feeding.
Fleas also have piercing mouthparts for feeding on blood. The most common flea species found in Wisconsin are the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) and dog fleas, but other species, such as the human flea and rat fleas, can also be present.
Detecting a flea infestation early is essential to prevent it from spreading throughout your home. Common signs include small, itchy red bumps on your skin, often found on your ankles or lower legs or pets, indicating flea bites. You may also spot flea dirt, which appears as dark, pepper-like specks on your pet’s fur or bedding—flea feces that turns reddish-brown when wet due to digested blood.
If your dog or cat is excessively scratching, biting, or grooming, it could be a sign of flea allergy dermatitis or an active infestation. Additionally, look for flea eggs, which are tiny, white, oval-shaped eggs found in pet bedding, carpets, or cracks in flooring. Flea larvae may also be present, typically hiding in dark places like carpet fibers or under furniture, where they feed on flea dirt and organic debris until they mature into adults.
Fleas prefer warm, humid environments, making homes and areas frequented by pets perfect habitats. They are often found in pet bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture, and cracks in flooring. Fleas can also live outdoors in shaded, wild animal habitats, such as in the burrows of rodents, opossums, or other mammals. Flea larvae thrive in dark, moist areas where they can hide until they mature into adult fleas.
For pet owners, fleas can be a nightmare, as they often find their way into homes by traveling on a host—usually a pet. After being outdoors, cats and dogs can easily pick up fleas introduced by passing wildlife. However, pets aren’t the only way fleas enter your home; they can attach to your clothing or person and hitch a ride indoors.
Fleas are parasitic insects that feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, with pets like cats and dogs being their most shared hosts. Fleas must consume a blood meal to survive and reproduce. Female fleas, in particular, need regular blood meals to lay eggs, which they do shortly after feeding. Fleas will also feed on humans, especially if pets aren’t available as hosts.
The flea life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, which can fall off the host animal and into carpets, bedding, or other areas around the home. The eggs hatch into larvae within a few days, and after feeding on organic matter and flea dirt, they spin cocoons and enter the pupal stage. The flea can remain in its cocoon for weeks or months before emerging as an adult. The life cycle can last from two weeks to several months, depending on environmental conditions.
Fleas are known for their jumping ability, allowing them to move quickly between hosts or different home areas. They are highly mobile and can jump distances many times their body length.
Fleas are also incredibly resilient; they can survive for months without a blood meal, especially in their pupal stage. Due to their short life cycle and high reproductive rate, fleas are also capable of spreading rapidly.
Fleas don’t just leave behind painful, itchy bites—they can also pose serious health risks to people and pets. A flea that has fed on multiple species throughout its life is likely to carry and transmit various diseases. One of the most well-known diseases fleas can transmit is the plague, caused by the Yersinia pestis, which is typically spread by infected rodent fleas.
While rare today, plague cases still occur in some parts of the world. Fleas are also known carriers of murine typhus, a bacterial disease spread by fleas that can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, and rash in humans.
Besides these diseases, fleas can act as intermediate hosts for dog and rodent tapeworms, which can infect pets when they ingest infected fleas during grooming. Tapeworms can cause digestive issues and weight loss in pets and, in some cases, can even be transmitted to humans. Furthermore, fleas can trigger flea allergy dermatitis in pets, a severe allergic reaction to flea saliva that leads to excessive itching, skin infections, and hair loss. Left untreated, a flea infestation can quickly spiral out of control, making it essential to address the problem immediately to protect your family and pets from these risks.
Once you have a flea problem, eradicating it can be incredibly difficult. Treating your pets is one of the most important steps – so contact your veterinarian to see what types of flea products or treatments they advise. The next step is to seek out professional flea control. Terminix Wil-Kil offers a one-time flea control treatment to eradicate fleas in your home.
DIY methods of flea control are not always practical. Many of them only address fleas on pets or adult fleas around the home, which may result in re-infestation. A professional treatment will also include insect growth regulators so that the eggs and immature fleas cannot develop into reproductive adults. Our Terminix Wil-Kil professionals are trained to identify common areas of infestation and will implement effective measures to control flea populations on your property.
Preventing a flea infestation is far easier than dealing with an existing one. Start by using flea prevention products on your pets year-round, especially if they go outdoors. Regular grooming and bathing of pets can also help detect fleas early. Keeping your home clean and vacuuming frequently, especially in areas where your pets rest, will remove flea eggs and larvae before they mature. Washing pet bedding regularly in hot water can also help prevent fleas from reproducing.
Consider limiting your pets’ exposure to wildlife in outdoor areas, as wild animals like rodents, raccoons, and opossums often carry fleas. Trimming grass and shrubs can keep your yard well-maintained and reduce the number of fleas in the environment. In areas at high risk of fleas, using a professional residential pest control service to treat your yard and home can provide added protection.
Dealing with a flea problem can feel overwhelming, especially when fleas infest your home and pets. Our flea control experts will assess the extent of the infestation, identify the source, and implement a comprehensive treatment plan to eliminate fleas from your home. We use safe and effective methods to eradicate fleas and provide recommendations on preventing future infestations.
Our customers are our top priority. Your Terminix Wil-Kil technician is 100% committed to helping you as quickly as possible.
Fleas typically come from outdoor environments, especially in areas where wildlife like rodents, opossums, or raccoons are present. They latch onto animals as hosts, such as dogs and cats, and are easily brought into your home. Fleas can also attach to humans through clothing or contact with infested environments, spreading quickly indoors.
Yes, flea bites are very itchy. They often result in small, red, itchy bumps on the skin, especially around the ankles and legs. The itching is caused by an allergic reaction to flea saliva when the flea bites to feed on blood.
Yes, fleas are visible to the naked eye, though they are very small—typically measuring between 1/12 to 1/6 of an inch. They are reddish-brown and move quickly, making them hard to catch or spot in large numbers unless there’s a significant infestation.
No, fleas do not fly. They are wingless insects but are excellent jumpers. Their powerful hind legs allow them to jump up to 8 inches vertically and 12-13 inches horizontally, which helps them move between hosts or around your home.
Yes, fleas are known for their jumping ability. They use their strong hind legs to leap great distances relative to their size, which allows them to easily move from one host to another or from the environment onto a pet or human. This jumping ability is key to how fleas spread and infest homes.
Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control is a local Pest Control and Extermination company helping homeowners and businesses with pest issues across WI.
