Quiz Answers

Yesterday's quiz tested your knowledge of fleas. How did you fare? Here, as promised, are the answers to the flea hoppin' quiz:

1. An expert on fleas is known as a (c) Pullicologist. Not in your dictionary? It's  not in mine either, but could be worth points on Jeopardy some day. The Spanish for fleas is las pulgas, so the derivation is probably Latin. For the really big money, what exactly does a pullicologist do? Probably scratches a lot!

2. Female fleas lay up to (b) 50 fleas per day. That's a lot of flea eggs. They typically lay four to eight eggs at a time, 400 to 800 total within a typical flea lifetime. Flea eggs usually roll off the host and into pet bedding or other areas where the animal spends time resting. This is why your pest technician may ask about your pet's sleeping areas, in an effort to treat the areas of your house most likely to harbor an infestation source.

3. Diseases spread by fleas include (d) all of these: plague, tapeworm, and murine typhus. Flea bites themselves are usually just annoying, but can cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. 

4. The most common type of flea is the (b) cat flea. In fact, it could be called the "universal flea," as cat fleas, or Ctenocephalides felis, will happily feed on cats, dogs, rodents, or humans. You would need a microscope to tell the difference physically between dog fleas and cat fleas - but both will be happy to sample your blood. Dog fleas are rare in California. So-called "sand fleas" are actually crustaceans, unrelated to cat, dog, and rat fleas.

5. Flea eggs hatch in about (c) 10 days. Fleas undergo a complete metamorphosis. The eggs hatch into larvae in about 10 days, and the developing larvae feed on adult flea feces, which contain bits of dried blood. This is one of the reasons vacuuming is a big part of flea control. Depending on temperature, the larvae then molt three times in from seven days to several months. When mature, the larvae spin cocoons in which they pupate. From flea egg to adult flea can be a period of 16 days to a year or more.

7. According to the University of California online Integrated Pest Management guidelines, the best approach to managing fleas is (d) prevention. This means regular cleaning of pet bedding areas, and vet approved topical applications on the pets themselves. The most effective treatments inhibit the growth and/or reproduction of fleas. If fleas become a problem, chemical applications to carpeted areas and upholstered furniture may be necessary. Over-the-counter fogging agents do not have enough residual effect to control an infestation.

8. As indicated in the answer to #6 above, pre-emergent or pupal fleas can lie dormant for (d) up to 150 days. The immature fleas will not hatch until there is warmth, movement and carbon dioxide in the air - these are signals that a host is present. This is why we often experience a major hatch-out of fleas in a house or apartment that has been closed up and left vacant for weeks or months. What this means is that if your home has been sprayed for fleas, while the adult fleas will die within a few days, the pre-emergent fleas will wait for you. The best way to ensure the pupal fleas hatch and die is to vacuum daily after a flea treatment. 

We hope this information on fleas and their control is useful in dealing with one of Southern California's most enduring pests.

Tuesday's Quiz: Flea Hoppin'

Although the  cooler weather means fewer fleas, we are still getting plenty of calls for flea control. Here is a quick quiz to test  your knowledge of these jumpy, itchy critters. The answers will appear in tomorrow's blog.

1. The official title of an expert on fleas is a

a. Fleaologist

b. Ichthologist

c. Pullicologist

d. Dermatologist

2. Female fleas can lay up to how many eggs per day?

a. 20

b. 50

c. 100

d. 150

3. Diseases spread by fleas include:

a. Plague

b. Tapeworm

c. Murine Typhus

d. all of the above

4. The most common type of flea is the

a. dog flea

b. cat flea

c. rat flea

d. sand flea

5. Fleas have been known to jump up to how many inches?

a. 5"

b. 13"

c. 18"

d. 25"

6. Flea eggs hatch in about 

a. 2 days

b. 5 days

c. 10 days

d. flea eggs don't hatch

7. The best method of flea control is

a. vacuuming

b. topical pet applications

c. chemical sprays

d. prevention

8. Pre-emergent or pupal fleas can lie dormant for how long?

a. up to 30 days

b. up to 60 days

c. up to 100 days

d. up to 150 days

Check your answers in tomorrow's blog!

Flea Cycle Circus

If the Flea Circus has set up tents in your yard or on your pet this summer, you may feel like you're going in circles! There's a good reason for that - the life cycle of the flea and its resiliency. As shown in the illustration above (click to enlarge), fleas go through five main stages in their development from egg to adult. The female adult flea (#1) can lay ten to forty eggs per day, after a blood meal. That spins out to hundreds of flea eggs over a few month's time. Adult fleas are tiny - 1/8 of an inch long - so imagine how small their eggs are. So small, in fact, that you will have to imagine them, because you won't see these smooth, oval, white eggs roll right off  your pet and onto pet beds, favorite sofas, or carpet areas. Flea eggs hatch in two to ten days, into the larval stage (#3). The larvae like to stay in warm, protected environments. Depending on the temperature, they can feed on adult flea feces, which contain bits of dried blood, and crawl around for five to fifteen days before building their tiny cocoons (#4). Within these cocoons, larvae pupate into a stage also known as "pre-emergent adult" (#5). Fleas can stay in this pupal stage for months, waiting until their environment is right before hatching into adult fleas. Warm temperatures, humidity, vibrations, and carbon dioxide in the air trigger the pupae to emerge as fleas, ready to feed. Since the life cycle is extremely variable, lasting from two weeks to two years, flea control can be difficult. The best way to stop the cycle is to use a spray labeled for use against adult fleas that has a good residual, combined with an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR), which keeps eggs from hatching. 

To sum up our integrated pest management tips on flea control, pet owners should seek advice from veterinarians regarding topical applications of flea control. Vacuuming thoroughly and regularly helps by removing dead fleas and flea feces, which are a source of nourishment for larval and pupal fleas. Clearing the yard of harborage for urban wildlife that may carry fleas into your yard is also part of the process. If these methods do not control your flea problem, call in a pest professional who can apply a spray that will kill adult fleas and prevent flea eggs from hatching. Even after a professional application, it may take three weeks before the circus closes down and the fleas are evicted from your house.

The Year of the Flea

According to the Chinese calendar, 2008 is the Year of the Rat - a good year, according to custom, to get married or start a new job - a "good luck" year. But here in San Diego, it is shaping up to be the Year of the Flea - a good year to clear your yard of rodent harborage and treat your pets against these blood sucking pests. Fleas have been problem pests in Southern California for as long as there have been people or animals around for them to feed on. These pests multiply and thrive in our mild climate. Nevertheless, reports of flea infestations were on the decline a few years ago. Part of the reason was the development of new topical applications for use in controlling fleas on dogs and cats. Much more effective than flea collars or dips, these products helped cut flea infestations nearly in half and almost convinced us fleas were on their way out. So why have they returned with a vengeance? Here are a couple of theories.

First, we need to consider where the fleas that torment our pets come from. Usually, dogs and cats pick up fleas when they are outdoors, either in a yard or on a walk. As you can see in the highly magnified picture above, fleas have tiny, velcro-like spines on their legs that help them hitch a ride on Fido or Fluffy. Although dog and cat fleas prefer these animals, they are also carried by rodents, raccoons, opossums and other urban wildlife. If the increase in our flea population is due to an increase in wildlife hosts, the best protection for homeowners is an inspection of yard areas for possible harborage. Keep grass areas well-trimmed, clear out that unattended corner of the yard where weeds grow, remove or trim back overgrown bushes and vines. Look around the yard and determine where rats and squirrels may want to hang out - and clear those areas. Ironically, the Year of the Rat may be the cause of the Year of the Flea.

Another possible explanation for the increase in local flea populations is the question of the effectiveness of those flea treatments we have come to rely on. If you found the application your vet recommended did the trick last year, you  may be using old product or need to revisit the issue with your vet. Have fleas grown resistant to your regular control method? Ask the vet to recommend a product that is appropriate for your pet. Then  be careful to apply the medication according to label directions for best results. These flea controllers can be very effective, but don't always solve the whole problem. Because fleas can lay up to 40 eggs per day, and those eggs easily fall off the host animal, frequent vacuuming is also essential to flea control. If the problem persists, contact your pest professional. Tomorrow we will continue with a discussion of the life cycle of the flea and how different chemicals work to combat these pesky invaders.