by Frank Shuman, DVM

This summer has been primed for an escalation in fleas due to the mild winter and significant rains Central Texas has received. These two factors have created an environment that is perfect to a record number of menacing pests. There are over 1900 flea species in the world but, cat and dog owners should only be concerned with only one: Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea.

Fleas are not only a nuisance but carry many harmful and deadly diseases that not only affect our pets but can harm people. Treating your pets can help keep your family safer. A heavy flea burden is lethal, especially to smaller, elderly or younger animals. Conditions brought about via flea infestation include Flea Allergic Dermatitis, anemia, Bartonellosis (Cat Scratch Fever) and tapeworms.

Despite Ctenocephalides felis’ ability to feed off a wide variety of hosts, this flea definitely does not prefer human blood and won’t eat it unless absolutely necessary. A newly emerged adult flea is hungry and may well take a blood meal from the first warm body it finds. An adult flea knocked off its normal host will also be desperate to find a new host and may feed on the nearest warm body it can find. In general, adult fleas regard human blood as a last choice and humans tend not to be bitten unless flea population numbers are high.

Fleas are adaptive and their life cycle is always active – eggs are laid, larvae are developing, pupae are growing and adults are feeding and reproducing. The environmental temperature controls how fast this occurs. If you want to eradicate the flea population in a specific home, it is best to attack when numbers are low in the winter. It is a mistake to stop flea control products in the winter as it will be much harder to gain the upper hand in the spring and summer when the populations are rising.

A big mistake people often overlook is treating the environment which consists of the house and yard. Foggers and sprays are available through local pet stores and hardware stores that are effective against fleas and other biting insects. There are many different flea products for cats and dogs that can be administered topically or orally. These medications can be in combination with heartworm prevention. All of these products either paralyze the mouth parts of fleas or are growth inhibitors. The receptors for these chemicals or pharmaceuticals are specific for insects so it is safe for mammals. Consult with your veterinarian about which product would be appropriate for your pet.