How To Identify Different Types Of Fleas
The U.S. has over 300 types of fleas out of an estimated 2,000 species identified globally. Fleas are tiny, measuring only 1/6 to 1/12 inches long. You may need magnifying glasses to see them. They have long hind legs that enable them to jump up to 80 times their height.
The body is flat, oval-shaped, and reddish-brown or grey in color. Common flea types in New Jersey include:
- Cat fleas
- Dog fleas
- Humans fleas
If you suspect an infestation in your New Jersey home, call in a pest exterminator for professional flea treatment.
The Lifecycle Of The Common Flea
Fleas have a distinct lifecycle with four stages: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult.
Adult females lay up to 50 eggs on their host skin or fur coat. The flea eggs are tiny, measuring approximately 1/64 of an inch long. They are oval and whitish.
The eggs hatch in one to ten days, depending on the temperature and humidity in the surroundings. The flea larvae are small, roughly between 1 1/4 and 2 1/4 millimeters long. They resemble tiny, whitish worms and feed on organic matter.
The larvae mature after approximately two weeks, spinning a cocoon around themselves to enter the pupal stage. The cocoon is brown, hosting the flea until it matures. The adult flea only emerges from the cocoon when there is a clear sign of a host nearby.
The lifecycle is often complete within approximately two weeks, and the adult can live for about 100 days. You may need to ensure the pest control measures target all flea stages for effective treatment.
Three Reasons Fleas Are So Hard To Get Rid Of
Fleas typically find their way into your home through pets and can be extremely difficult to exterminate once an infestation takes root. Here are three reasons why you might fail at eliminating them:
1. Fleas can live on multiple hosts.
Fleas may prefer to live on your pet’s fur coat, finding long hairs in which to hide and breed. However, you may also become a host, with the jumping bugs taking regular bloodmeals. They can also hide in different areas in the home, such as pet bedding.
2. Fleas are prolific breeders.
A flea can lay up to 50 eggs daily during its 100-day lifespan. The infestation can quickly spread in your home, making it difficult to eliminate the bugs.
3. The lifecycle makes treatment challenging.
Most homeowners only target adult fleas, forgetting about eggs and larvae. The flea infestation returns immediately after treatment after the eggs hatch or larvae mature.
Control, Extermination, & Prevention Of Fleas
The most effective way to eliminate fleas is to hire a New Jersey pest control company. At Heritage Pest Control, we’ll begin with a thorough inspection of your home and exteriors to determine the potential hiding spots for the bugs.
Our trained experts will then use flea control products that target all lifecycle stages. We also put measures to ensure the bugs don’t return to your home. Reach out to us today to discuss your flea problem and how we can solve it for you.