Description

Order: Siphonaptera

Characteristics: adults 1-8mm long; brownish in colour, body laterally compressed
(streamlined) and covered with backward-directed bristles; reduction or loss of eyes; piercing mouth parts; no wings, although transitory wing buds may appear in pupae of some species; muscular legs, with hind limbs adapted for jumping; metamorphosis complete with
egg, larval, pupal and adult stages.

Species characteristics and host/habitat

CAT FLEA (Ctenocephalides felis}
Adults,2-3.25 mm long; forepart of head longer than it is high; prominent pronotal and genal
combs (first teeth of genal comb nearly as long as second) ; basal section of legs equipped with stout spines.

Host/habitat especially members of Felidae family, also dogs, other animals and man; found
particularly in host bedding. Many infestations in commercial and institutional premises derive from feral cats.

DOG FLEA (Ctenocephalides canis}
Adults, 2-3.25 mm long; forepart of head as long as it is high; prominent pronotal and genal
combs (first teeth of genal comb only about half as long as second); basal section of legs
equipped with stout spines.

Host/habitat especially members of Canidae family, also domestic animals and man; found
particularly in host bedding.

HUMAN FLEA (Pulex irritans}
Adults, 2-3.5 mm long; no pronotal or genal comb; basal section of legs equipped with stout
spines.

Host/habitat especially man, but will also breed on pigs, hedgehogs, foxes and A badgers; found in homes, usually in bedrooms.

RABBIT FLEA (Spilopsyllus cuniculi}
Adults, 1.5-2.25mm long; pronotal and genal combs, the latter with five vertically arranged
rounded spines; basal section of legs equipped with stout spines.

Host/habitat especially rabbits, in whom it is the main vector of the myxomatosis virus, but will also attack cats; the females are sedentary and attach themselves to the host, especially around the ears and the head.

TROPICAL RAT FLEA (Xenopsylla cheopis)
Adults, 1.5-2.5 mm long; no pronotal or genal comb; row of bristles along back of head; basalsection of legs equipped with stout spines.

Host/habitat various rodents, but will also attack man; found especially around ports.

HEDGEHOG FLEA (Archaeopsyllus erinacei)
Adults, 2-3.5 mm long; genal comb of1-3 short spines; pronotal comb of 2-9 spines.
Host/ habitat: generally associated with hedgehogs, but occasionally brought indoors by dogs, cats and humans; also found in gardens and outbuildings.

BIRD FLEA (Ceratophyllus gallinae)
Adults2-2.5 mm long; no head folds to retain antennae; pronotal comb with more than 24 teeth; no genal comb; no spines on basal section of legs.

Host /habitat: especially birds nesting in dry situations but will also attack animals and man;
breeding mostly limited to birds' breeding season, migrating from nests when fledglings leave. Often originating from birds' nests in roof spaces.

MOLE FLEA (Hystrichopsylla talpae)
Largest British flea, 3.5-6 mm long; genal comb of 9-12 spines; pronotal comb of 42-58 spines.

Host /habitat: associated with moles; also found in gardens and outbuildings.

Dealing with your problem

To achieve the best results when treating fleas there are several factors that need to be taken into account. Before insecticide is applied you will need to

1. vacuum all infected areas once finished the cleaner must be well thoroughly cleaned out (in the case of the bagless machines) or remove and dispose of the bag in others. This is because the cleaner will contain a quantity of eggs and larvae.

2. Remove, wash or distroy pet bedding. If washing, use hot water with detergent.

3. Treat any cats or dogs with a recommended flea treatment. The PCO may ask to see evidence of the product used.You may wish to discuss this with a pest control officer first prior to treatment.

4. Other pets such as fish must have the tank properly covered. Birds need to be removed from the areas to be treated, again the PCO will advise you on this.

5. All food stuffs should be wrapped and put in a cupboard or fridge

6. Take all articles such as clothes, books and toys etc: off of the floor to allow the maximum area to be treated.

The insecticides used by G.S Pest Control are approved by the HSE under the control of pesticides regulations (1986) for use as directed. Those insecticides used are of low mammalian toxicity, odourless and non staining. 
 
Following the treatment taking place you will need to vacate the building or the areas treated for approximately 2-3 hrs. This is to allow the treated areas to dry. Once dry the insecticide poses no foreseeable risk to humans or their pets.
You will not be able to hoover for a period of 10-14 days following the treatment. However you may find fleas are seen after the treatment. This is due to new hatching therefore the full 14day period should elapse before phoning the PCO with any concerns.

Following treatment

It would help greatly when having your pets treated you make arrangements for regular and thorough treatments to continue. This will help stop them returning. Contact your Vet to seek further advice if required.