The two most common species of fleas that are pests of man and domestic pets are the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, and the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis. Pest management professionals are much more likely to encounter the cat flea (regardless whether pet is a dog or cat) than the dog flea as the dog flea tends to infest wild hosts instead of domestic pets.

Cat fleas are wingless small insects approximately 1 /16 of an inch long. Their bodies are flattened from side to side, allowing for easy movement between fur and hair. Fleas are blood sucking external parasites of warm-blooded animals. Both male and female adult fleas feed exclusively on blood. Fleas have complete metamorphosis which means their larvae and adults look very different and they have a pupal stage. While the adults spend most of their lives on animals, the three other stages live elsewhere. The eggs, larva (small and wormlike) and pupae all develop in areas such as carpets, rugs, furniture, in floor cracks and crevices, along baseboards and other areas that the pet or pets frequent. On the outside of structures they develop in shaded areas that are frequented by the host. The eggs and pupal cases tend to be very resistant to any treatments, thus control measures are targeted at the larval and adult stages.

CAT FLEA (Ctenocephalides felis)

Biology

• Larvae are approximately ¼ inch long and adults are approximately ⅛ inch long.

• Antennae are short and have 3 segments.

• Long legs used for jumping

• Wingless

• Laterally flattened body, backward pointing spines and bristles assist in flea travel through hair.

Distribution/Habits

• Distributed worldwide

• Females requires blood meal from a host to develop eggs.

• Eggs are normally found where pets sleep or frequent.

• Expect a second hatching of pre-emerged adults from cocoons after treatment; normally this interval is 10-21 days or longer.

DOG FLEA (Ctenocephalides canis)

Biology

• Length: 1/8 inch

• Wingless

• Reddish brown in color

• Adults appear flattened from side to side (like most adult fleas).

• The body parts are segmented and covered with numerous spines and bristles pointed backward. These spines aid in movement through animal hair.

• They have claws on the tips of their 6 legs to enable them to remain on a host even while the host is scratching.

• Antennae are short and have 3 segments.

• Needle-like mouth parts are inserted into a host for blood feeding.

• Natural rubber, resilin, pads their hind legs, enabling them to jump from 14-16 inches.

• Complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult)

• The identifying characteristic that separates the dog flea from the cat flea is the presence of two notches and spines on the hind tibia of the dog flea.

Distribution/Habits

• Found on dogs and rabbits, rarely on cats

• Primarily a nuisance to homeowners, they infest pet dogs causing them to scratch and shake vigorously.

• They often bite humans if the primary host is unavailable.

• If the host leaves the home, pre-emerged adults reside in cocoons until the host returns.

• Larval stage eats organic debris left in animal beds.