Take a moment to consider just how quickly fleas can take over. At the height of their reproductive cycle, the most common flea found on dogs and cats, can lay up to 40 – 50 eggs every single day.
And they don’t stop anytime soon. A single female flea can continue reproducing for over 100 days, producing as many as 2,000 eggs during her lifetime.
That kind of output turns a small problem into a full-blown invasion almost overnight. In fact, just 10 female fleas can multiply into hundreds of thousands in a matter of weeks under the right conditions.
Most of these eggs don’t stay on your pet. Instead, they fall off and collect in the places your pet spends the most time on, such as bedding, carpets, and favorite resting spots.
Beyond the constant itching and scratching, fleas can cause more serious issues. Some pets develop allergic reactions to flea bites, leading to intense irritation and open sores. Excessive scratching can result in bleeding or infection. In more severe cases, fleas have been associated with anemia due to blood loss and can also transmit tapeworms.
The most effective way to stop fleas is to break their life cycle. That means using reliable flea control for your pet and, when necessary, treating the home environment as well.
Source:
Rust M, Dryden, M. The biology, ecology, and management of the cat flea. Annual Review of Entomology. 42: 451-473.
Print
PDF
