Reasons for the appearance of fleas in an apartment (house), what to do

1. Fleas attacking humans
2. Dangerous types of parasites
3. How a flea bites through skin
4. What do bite marks look like?
5. The danger of flea bites for people
6. How to protect yourself from insects
7. Preventive measures against fleas

Like other blood-sucking insects, fleas feed only on blood. The structure of the oral apparatus does not allow them to use other food. Therefore, the answer to the question whether fleas can bite humans will be positive. People are willingly bitten even by those that parasitize other warm-blooded animals: cats, dogs, rodents or birds. But there is a species that specializes specifically in humans - this is the human flea.

Flea classification

The flea is a true traveler around the world. A representative of this type of insect can be found in every corner of the globe. They are extremely tenacious, hardy and unpretentious creatures. They are carriers of various pathogens in humans and animals.

Flea

More than 2000 species of fleas have been bred. The body structure and lifestyle are the same in all species. They differ only in the type of host on which they parasitize. Flea carriers are an animal, a bird or a person.

They are divided into the following types:

• Household fleas (also called house fleas). Common types of fleas include: human, cat, dog, rat;
• Indoor - no different from previous creatures, they live in the apartment;
• Earth ones are no longer connected to living quarters, they live in the soil. However, they can accidentally enter the room and settle behind baseboards, in carpets and upholstery;
• Sandy - live in coniferous forests, sand and earth;
• Bedding - loved linen accessories and upholstered furniture.

Habitats

Ground fleas live in the soil . In winter, they bury themselves 15-20 cm into the ground and pupate. With the onset of warmth, they leave their cocoons and move to the upper layers of the soil. An increase in their numbers is observed when it rained for some time, and then the heat came. High air temperatures and high humidity are the most suitable conditions for these insects. Adult parasites begin to search for a victim.

Fleas don't only live in the ground. They can be found and reproduce in human homes. They live in rooms with high humidity. They attack apartments on the first floors. They are especially common in homes where people neglect sanitary standards.

Good hiding places for them:

• a pile of clothes;
• cracks in the floor;
• folds of upholstered furniture;
• long carpet pile, etc.

In addition, fleas choose outbuildings. They live in animal bedding and places where old things are stored.

Causes of fleas

In the apartment

There are a huge number of reasons why it appears in a residential area. Often, this happens in summer and autumn. The likelihood that insects can get into an apartment is just as high as in a private house.

Insects enter the apartment through the basement or entrance, so residents of the lower floors most often suffer.

In a private home, the risk of getting fleas is very high. On the site of any house there is a front garden or vegetable garden, from there they can directly enter the living space.

There is a stereotype that fleas can appear in those who keep pets; this is not at all necessary. After all, those who don’t have pets also suffer from fleas.

Blaming animals for bringing fleas indoors is wrong. People themselves, without knowing it, can transfer parasites into the house with old things, household items, or bring them on themselves from neighbors.

What is a flea

Prevention measures

Sometimes the appearance of fleas is purely an accident. Such sources cannot be excluded in any way, but the chances of parasite penetration can be reduced. And here, banal household hygiene remains an effective preventive measure - regular wet cleaning, beating carpets, airing. It is especially important to avoid clutter and neglect. After all, in a clean and well-kept home, even a flea that suddenly appears will not stay long.

If your family has pets, carefully monitor their health, bathe and brush them regularly. For pets that often visit the street, purchase anti-flea collars and use insecticidal shampoos in their care. It is important to promptly treat already infected four-legged animals.

Fleas have inhabited our planet for many millions of years. There’s definitely no point in doubting their evolutionary progress, just as there’s no point in downplaying the anxiety from their neighborhood. Hardy, invulnerable and fast insects will not easily retreat from the occupied territory. Therefore, when you first detect an enemy, do not wait for the colony to grow, but immediately begin to fight.

How fleas bite humans, what types they are

There are several types of fleas that feed on humans:

1. Human. It prefers humans, but can also live on small animals: cats, rats, hamsters. Their mouth is best suited for piercing human skin. You need to know that fleas do not live on humans, but only attack for food;
2. Earthy. It pierces the skin and begins to drink blood. To fully eat, she needs to bite several times. Earth fleas are cunning, they not only drink blood, but also crawl under the nail and lay eggs;
3. Doggy style. Bites a person more often than others. Dogs carry more parasites on themselves, picking them up on the street;
4. Feline. It is most likely to be bitten by such a parasite. This happens more often in apartments, cats are rarely allowed into private houses, parasites are forced to feed only on those they come across on the street;
5. Rat. Mainly operates in villages and villages; they rarely bite in cities. This parasite is the most dangerous causative agent of various infectious diseases;
6. Rabbit, mouse, and bird fleas bite least often.

Symptoms and consequences of flea bites in humans

• acute pain at the time of the bite;
• more noticeable itching after bites;
• the occurrence of small tumors;
• there is a red dot at the site of the bite - dried blood;
• There is red skin around the bite.

The consequences of such bites can be disastrous for humans. An allergy to flea bites can lead to fever and swelling.

Increased body temperature, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, and in rare cases anaphylactic shock are typical for children under 12 years of age and allergy sufferers.

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Parasites are capable of transmitting various infectious diseases, including:

• tick-borne encephalitis;
• salmonellosis;
• trypanosomiasis;
• hepatitis B, C;
• tularemia;
• anthrax.

Transmitted mechanically or through blood.

Flea development

Allergic reaction

For allergy sufferers, even a few flea bites are extremely dangerous. If you do not seek medical help in time, the consequences will be severe. Insect saliva causes serious deterioration in health, accompanied by fever, difficulty breathing, and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Bites can lead to inflammation of the larynx, angioedema and suffocation. In some cases, death is possible.

Even a healthy person is not immune from an allergic reaction. A purulent rash, fever and headache are signs of pulicosis. Its causative agent is the human flea. These insects can infect the victim with worms, salmonellosis, and plague.

Why fleas don't bite everyone

It turns out that not all people are bitten by fleas. For example, a family of several people, but only one is bitten. There are a couple of theories to explain this phenomenon.

Theory one – “Blood”

Fleas prefer one blood type and Rh factor more than another. A high sense of smell helps determine a person's blood type. They found that the first blood group (the sweetest) attracts parasites the most, while the third and fourth blood groups are not even touched.

Theory two – “Skin”

Not all fleas are able to bite through human skin in such a way as to reach a vessel and drink blood. Therefore, they choose people with thin skin and attack.

Theory three – “Body”

Fleas choose people with a high temperature or a detected sweat odor. They bite mainly in places where sweat is secreted.

This is not to say that all these theories are one hundred percent correct. After all, each person is individual, treats and reacts to bites differently. Some people get used to it and don’t notice the bites. Others become blistered and develop an allergic reaction. For this reason, any theory has a right to exist.

How to get rid of insects in the house?

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If fleas bite people in the house, how to get rid of parasites is the first question that appears on the agenda.

You should carefully examine your pets. Veterinary medicine can offer a lot of means to destroy parasites in both adult dogs and cats and their babies.

• The apartment should be thoroughly vacuumed, especially the place where your four-legged friend sleeps.
• It’s better to say goodbye to the garbage bag; there may be eggs, larvae and adult insects in there.
• Disinsection is carried out repeatedly to eliminate young animals that have hatched from previously laid eggs.

Destruction of fleas is a complex undertaking. Half measures will not help here. If you decide to do everything yourself, it will take a lot of effort and time.

The entire room will have to be treated, including the most inaccessible places. We must also not forget about the ventilation system and baseboards.

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And to prevent parasites from coming into the house for new portions of blood after sanitary treatment, attention should be paid to preventive measures. For your four-legged friends, you can purchase anti-flea collars that will protect them from ectoparasites while walking and interacting with other animals.

Repellents containing DEET will help protect you from blood-sucking insects on the eve of a trip to nature.

The situation with bloodsuckers cannot be left to chance. In such cases, there is a high probability that it will become critical, there will be a lot of insects and you will have to resort to the services of a team of professional exterminators who work efficiently and quickly.

Knowing the theoretical part about whether a flea can bite a person, there is a high probability that in practice a person will no longer encounter this problem. And if he does meet, he will be armed with knowledge and, therefore, protected.

Why fleas do not bite everyone is explained by their body characteristics. Insects are guided in their activities by smells; their olfactory organs are highly developed. The parasites find the victim by the smell of blood. Why some are bitten and others are not is very easy to explain.

Before going to bed, a person takes a shower or bath. Women additionally apply cream and lotion to the skin of their feet. The smell of varying intensity remains on the skin. Men may resent that fleas “only bite me.” The women remain unharmed. This is because parasites are repelled by the intense aroma of skin care products.

Fleas often bite children. This is also easy to explain. Children have thin, delicate skin that can be easily bitten. Vessels with blood are located closer to the surface, fleas are well aware of the human smell and the aroma of blood. A photo of the bitten children is located below.

Flea bites on children

Symptoms of animal bites

Fleas are just as troublesome to pets as they are to people. Animals are the most popular victims. The symptoms of fleas in animals are similar.

• itching;
• anxiety;
• attempts to bite fleas out of wool;
• allergic reactions;
• hair loss in areas of bites;
• the appearance of papules;
• the formation of scabs caused by constant scratching of the skin.

Cat

It is impossible to fully protect a cat from parasites. Even if a domestic cat does not go outside, there is a possibility of infection. A person can carry the parasite from the street on the sole of a shoe.

By examining the animal, you can understand whether fleas are the reason for the way the cat behaves. A closer inspection will reveal the insects themselves. They like to hide in places that are difficult for a cat to reach: on the withers, spine.

Fleas on a cat

Dog

A dog is a creature that leads an active lifestyle. Appears on the street several times a day. It can become infected through contact with other dogs, in a room infected with fleas, or while walking in a park or forest.

Fleas on a dog

Ferret

Ferrets become infected with fleas through contact with other animals. Symptoms of anemia and slow growth, deterioration of fur may appear. Small, immature ferrets are more susceptible to this.

Fleas on a ferret

Rabbit

You can tell if your rabbit has fleas by examining it. Fleas usually accumulate in the ear area. If the animal itches several times a day, there is nothing to worry about. Most likely, this is an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. A rabbit chews its tail or lower back, which means fleas are attacking it with furious force. It is necessary to immediately take measures to get rid of them.

Fleas on a rabbit

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What to process

Probably the most unpleasant consequence of a flea bite is acute itching, which causes severe discomfort. In addition, there is a possibility of infection, which often occurs when scratching the bite site. To reduce the likely risks, it is recommended to think about how to get rid of the consequences of a flea bite .

To eliminate unpleasant sensations, you can use pharmaceutical or folk remedies. However, it is recommended to use the latter only for the treatment of single skin lesions.

Before treating a large number of flea bites on a person, it is recommended to consult a doctor, because in such cases there is a high risk of developing allergic reactions.

Folk remedies

The folk medicine cabinet is replete with a variety of different recipes designed to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of flea attacks.

To quickly relieve swelling, irritation, and prevent the development of inflammation, it is recommended to use:

• Agave. Cut one leaf of agave, also called aloe, lengthwise, after washing it and removing the thorns. After this, you should thoroughly wipe the wound with freshly squeezed juice. If small pustules appear, you can bandage the sheet to the affected area using a soft bandage.
• Soda. To prepare a medicinal solution, mix one spoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Next, soak a piece of gauze or bandage generously with the resulting solution and apply the resulting compress to the wound.
• Green tea. The simplest remedy that will help eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of bites is a bag of drunk green tea. To carry out the treatment procedure, it is enough to apply a warm bag to the wound, and then secure it with a soft bandage. Keep it until the itching is completely eliminated.
• Calendula. Calendula lotions will help disinfect the wound and have an anti-inflammatory and calming effect. To prepare the decoction, you need to brew two tablespoons of dried inflorescences with a glass of water and leave until cool. Use the prepared solution as a basis for wet compresses.

If the use of folk remedies does not bring the expected result, it is recommended to abandon their use in favor of medications.

Pharmacy drugs

On the modern pharmaceutical market there are many effective remedies for flea bites. To choose the right one, it is important to familiarize yourself with the contraindications and indications of a particular medicine.

The following are especially often used to eliminate inflammation and itching:

• Boro plus. Soft cream for flea bites. It has a pleasant scent and has a quick soothing effect on the skin. This drug has a wide spectrum of action, softens the skin, and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Fenistil gel. A particularly popular product. Quickly relieves itching, soothes, and has a mild analgesic effect.
• If small pustules appear on the skin, it is recommended to regularly treat the skin with levomekol ointment until they disappear completely. The product should be applied precisely to the area where the skin is affected by the flea.

Before applying medicine against flea bites, it is recommended to pre-treat the affected area with any antiseptic, such as hydrogen peroxide. This measure will help reduce the risk of wound infection.

Special preparations

If fleas bite, you can get rid of the unpleasant consequences of a flea attack with the help of special medications that have effective properties.

These include, for example: hydrocortisone ointment, flucinar. These medications have potent properties, helping to quickly eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of a bite. They can be used only if there is no risk of developing allergic reactions.

If there is a suspicion of infection by a flea with a certain disease, against the background of severe suppuration, the development of inflammation or other severe symptoms, you should immediately visit a doctor.

Untimely contact with a specialist or lack of adequate treatment can lead to infection entering the systemic bloodstream, the development of sepsis, and toxic damage to the body.

Top 5 most effective self-treatment products

• An aerosol like dichlorvos is the smelliest and most ineffective product (from the last century). Today there are more effective and virtually odorless products. dezbox recommends: Get Total, Get Express, Medilis Zipper, Delta Zone - these are concentrates for self-fighting. These are modern, popular and effective flea medications. Before you start processing, you need to put on a respiratory mask. Children and pets must leave the premises. It is necessary to spray all baseboards, furniture, interior surfaces of cabinets, bedding, and clothing. After treatment, close windows and doors for several hours;
• Flea whitening is an inexpensive remedy for self-treatment of a room;
• Vinegar, cologne. This mixture intoxicates fleas. The mixture should be used to treat baseboards, carpeting, and all cracks.
• Freezing. A radical method, feasible in winter. When the frost is -20 degrees, open all the windows and cool the room.
• Wormwood, tansy eucalyptus. You should infuse the herbs for 10 hours, pour them into a spray bottle and spray the entire room. The strong smell of herbs will help get rid of parasites.
• Garlic. Fleas don't like the smell of garlic. Peeled slices placed indoors will drive away parasites.

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