There are about 2,000 species of fleas on the planet. Most often, people encounter bloodsuckers that parasitize domestic animals and rodents, as well as earthen fleas.
Regardless of their species, parasites pose a threat to health, so they must be gotten rid of by all available means, including special medications and folk remedies.
What are earth fleas?
This type of flea got its name because of its habitat, but in appearance they are similar to their relatives that live on rats, dogs, cats and other animals.
What they look like
The body length of an adult flea reaches 2-3 mm. Males are smaller than females. The parasite is covered with a durable chitinous carapace of dark brown color. Its body is flattened laterally, which provides good streamlining when jumping.
The body of an insect, consisting of 3 sections, incl. head, chest and abdomen, characterized by an ovoid shape. The abdomen has the largest volume, because it fills with blood as the parasite feeds. The earth flea has 3 pairs of legs. They have serrations that help them cling to the fur and skin of the victim.
Only the hind legs - the longest ones - are used in jumping. The parasite covers a distance of 25-30 cm in one movement. It is believed that it is capable of jumping 75-100 cm in height. The flea, using its hind legs, shoots itself, so its jumps are chaotic.
Parasites have poor vision, but the sensory apparatus present on the back of the abdomen helps to detect even minor vibrations.
In addition, fleas are able to smell the blood and sweat of a victim at a distance of 2-3 m.
Adults have a piercing-sucking apparatus. When attacked, the parasite first pierces the skin and injects a special enzyme that prevents blood clotting and causes severe pain. After this, the flea expands the wound with blades and begins to feed, pumping blood into the expanding abdomen.
What do they eat?
Adults feed only on the tissue of warm-blooded animals. A flea can consume up to 1 ml of blood in one bite. For normal life, the parasite needs to feed at least once every 2-3 days. He makes many punctures on the skin of the legs until he finds a place where the vessels are located close to the surface.
How do they reproduce?
The breeding season for parasites lasts from mid-April to the end of September. During her life, a female can produce up to 500 eggs. Although adults are ready to mate immediately after emerging from the cocoon, the female must first find a warm-blooded animal and bite it. If the act of feeding has taken place, after about 48 hours the flea finds a secluded, cool place with a sufficient level of humidity and begins laying.
It can contain up to 40-50 eggs, covered with a special protective white shell. The eggs of parasites are oval in shape and their size does not exceed 0.1 mm. Under favorable conditions, larvae quickly emerge from them. In most cases it takes no more than 2-10 days.
Flea larvae resemble small worms covered with sparse hairs. They feed on decaying organic matter. After 7-21 days the larva pupates. A flea can spend from 7 to 200 days in the form of a pupa. If conditions are favorable, the insect quickly emerges from the cocoon, becoming an adult.
How long do they live?
Life cycle of a flea.
The lifespan of a flea depends on external conditions. Individuals overwintering in deep layers of soil often die during frosty and snowless winters. Under favorable conditions, they can live 1.5-2 years.
External characteristics: description, photo
As can be seen in the photos shown in this article, fleas in their appearance are very reminiscent of representatives of the order Coleoptera - antennae, three pairs of legs and dense shiny wings. Moreover, the color of the wings quite often matches the color of the foliage of the plant on which they live and feed. If the leaves are light, then the color of the beetle will be turquoise or straw, and on particularly dark foliage there will be fleas with wings of rich green, brown and even black.
But it is very difficult to notice these insects on the plant, since, upon seeing danger, they immediately leave their home.
The distinctive characteristics of earth fleas from representatives of bloodsuckers are the following:
- color - the wings of an ordinary flea are black or brown and without shine;
- habitat and source of saturation - our beetles live only on plants and feed on their green parts;
- size – earthen fleas are somewhat larger than usual.
This group of leaf beetles has several species, which can differ significantly from each other. The average length of their body is 3-4 cm, so it is quite difficult to see the distinctive features with the naked eye. But at the same time, the lifestyle of all representatives of this subfamily of beetles is largely similar - absolutely all earth fleas are herbivorous. Some species can feed on several varieties of food plants, but there are also “gourmets” who prefer to parasitize one specific seedling.
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.
Reasons for appearing in the house
Don’t think that fleas only appear in areas where residents keep animals or do not maintain cleanliness. Indeed, these conditions increase the risk of parasites, but they are completely optional. Insects can also be found in places where there are no and never have been pets, and cleaning is carried out regularly.
Ground fleas can appear at home in several ways:
- on the fur of a pet that has returned from a walk or interacted with an infected animal;
- on a person’s clothes or shoes;
- on the fur of rodents that have access to the house or basement;
- from a basement or cellar;
- with soil that is collected from the garden or vegetable garden for planting indoor plants.
Earth fleas are most active in the summer and autumn; it is during this season that the likelihood of finding a colony of parasites at home is especially high.
The danger of insect bites for humans
Biting insects such as fleas are extremely dangerous because... are carriers of many infectious diseases that require long-term treatment.
Among them:
- plague;
- encephalitis;
- listeriosis;
- anthrax;
- typhus;
- tuberculosis;
- hepatitis;
- tularemia.
Flea bites.
Flea bites are a source of helminthic and fungal infestation. The parasite injects its saliva during feeding. The bite site is very itchy and may become red. People who are sensitive to the enzymes present in the saliva of these fleas may experience allergic reactions.
First aid
The feet, ankles and ankles are the most common sites where the legs are affected. Areas of insect attack may be invisible, but damage to the skin is indicated by itching. If there are no severe allergic reactions, bites can be treated at home.
The affected area must be treated with a disinfectant. A cold compress helps relieve itching. In addition, it is recommended to use an ointment that includes antihistamines. If signs of allergy or intoxication of the body appear, you cannot carry out treatment on your own; you should seek medical help.
If fleas have bitten a child
Focal redness appears on children's skin at the sites of bites. The child experiences severe discomfort due to itching. Bite areas must be treated with a disinfectant and a cold compress applied. If there are many areas of damage, you should consult a doctor, because... Antihistamines may be required to relieve symptoms.
Harm from leaf beetles
With small numbers, earthen fleas are not capable of causing serious harm to green spaces. In this case, only minor damage to the leaves of the plant may be observed. But if there are too many parasites, they often cause complete loss of the crop. Leaf beetles pose the greatest danger in dry weather, since through damaged areas the leaves will quickly lose moisture and dry out.
On a note! Some species of these beetles are capable of chewing through stems, and even an adult plant can die.
The favorite treat for fleas is young seedlings that have soft green parts. Therefore, seedlings should be monitored especially carefully and the grown seedlings should be treated with insecticidal preparations in a timely manner.
We propose to consider the main signs of the appearance of leaf beetles:
- large uneven spots are clearly visible on the underside of the leaf;
- small holes in the stem along its entire height;
- there is no soft part on the leaves, only the “skeleton” is left;
- Plants of the cruciferous family are most often attacked by fleas.
Danger to humans
Leaf beetles are absolutely safe for humans, so it is not possible to demonstrate photos of flea bites. Only ordinary blood-sucking fleas - dog, cat, bird and others - can attack people.
If we consider this issue from a biological point of view, then earth fleas are simply not able to bite through the skin of warm-blooded animals, since their oral apparatus is developed for other purposes - to eat soft foliage. Therefore, if representatives of this family are found in an apartment, you should not be afraid of them. Just throw the insect out the window, and it will not bother you anymore, since earth fleas end up in the house by chance: a gust of wind or vegetables just picked from the garden.
Of course, if there are containers with seedlings placed on your windowsill, then there is a high probability of infection with these leaf beetles. In this case, you will need the help of insecticidal drugs.
Methods of disposal
If the number of fleas in a residential area is small, you can fight them with chemical insecticides. There are many effective means that can be used to poison these insects, but when using them, some precautions should be taken to avoid poisoning. If this option is undesirable, you can use folk remedies to kill fleas.
In apartments on the first floors, even with the use of folk and chemical remedies, fleas appear again after a short time. This indicates that the basement is infested with them. In this case, fighting with simple methods will not help and you should turn to professionals to thoroughly disinfect not only the apartment, but also the areas underneath it.
Professional pest control
Professional pest control is the most effective. Experts agree to poison insects even in large rooms. They use special equipment and potent insecticides that can destroy not only adults, but also eggs, larvae and pupae. Many companies provide a guarantee for their services and, if necessary, carry out repeated disinfestation free of charge.
Chemicals
The most common method of killing fleas is to treat the premises with chemical insecticides. They are available in the form of powders, concentrates, aerosols, drops, and emulsions.
Option for a remedy for earthen fleas.
Insect control can be carried out with the following drugs:
- "Clean house".
- “Butox 50”.
- "Raptor".
- “Ecokiller”.
- "Phenaxin".
- “Nats.”
- "Raid".
- "Combat".
- "Dichlorvos".
It is difficult to determine which product is the best. One treatment with any of these drugs does not always give a good result, because... they are unable to destroy flea eggs. To achieve a positive effect, it is advisable to carry out 2-3 procedures with an interval of 5 days.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies that help repel fleas are recommended to be used when the number of insects in the house is small. To poison parasites, you can prepare a mixture of soda and salt. The components are taken in equal proportions. The composition should be thoroughly treated with all carpets and sprinkled in corners and on the floor in the basement. Turpentine can be used to treat outbuildings.
Herbal products are also effective in controlling fleas. A decoction of wormwood and tansy helps to quickly eliminate parasites. To prepare it, 2 cups of wormwood are mixed with 1 cup of tansy and 1 cup of eucalyptus.
The composition must be filled with 10 liters of hot water. The mixture is boiled for 3-5 minutes. After this, the container with it is removed from the heat, wrapped in a blanket and left to infuse for a day. The finished product should be filtered, poured into a spray bottle and used to treat the room.
To repel fleas, it is recommended to place spruce and pine branches in the corners of the living room. These insects cannot tolerate the smell of pine needles. To treat the room, brewer's yeast and garlic are used, mixed in equal proportions. The mixture should be rubbed onto all places where fleas can enter the house.
Folk remedies for fleas.
How to fight?
The fight against fleas is carried out in several directions at once:
- treating pets with anti-flea drugs;
- general house cleaning;
- treating the premises with a parasite repellent.
To destroy parasites, you can use both insecticides (powders, sprays, solutions) and folk recipes (a mixture of soda and salt, essential oils, herbal infusions).
In advanced cases, when there are a lot of insects, it is worth seeking help from professionals - SES employees or specialized companies that provide pest control services.
Preparing the premises
An important condition for achieving a good result is careful preparation of the room for processing. All unnecessary old things and garbage should be thrown away. It is advisable to vacuum the floor. It is recommended to knock out carpets. In addition, be sure to treat all surfaces with soapy water.
Furniture should be immediately coated with special agents that repel parasites. Products must be refrigerated during disinfection to prevent chemicals from coming into contact with them. After this, you should close all windows tightly and begin processing the room.
Preventive measures
In order to minimize the risk of fleas reappearing in the house, you need to follow some recommendations:
- monitor the condition of basements and cellars, avoid dampness, periodically ventilate, eliminate leaks, and prevent the accumulation of garbage;
- do not allow pets into the basement, if the animal goes for a walk, use parasite protection, for example, an anti-flea collar;
- prevent rodents and stray animals from entering the basement;
- thoroughly clean outdoor shoes and clothing;
- Maintain cleanliness in the house or apartment, regularly vacuum carpets, carry out wet cleaning, wash pets’ beds and bedding.
In apartment buildings, supervision of basements is the responsibility of the management company.
How are flea beetles different from fleas?
The difference is so great that it is almost impossible to confuse them. Cute shiny pests are completely different from soft-bodied parasites. The main differences include:
- dimensions . The length of an adult flea rarely exceeds 2 mm, while fleas reach 6 mm;
- coloring _ Real fleas have faded colors, mostly brown or gray tones. Fleas delight the eye with shades of green, red and other bright colors;
- lifestyle and diet . Earth fleas do not live in animal fur and do not drink the blood of warm-blooded organisms.
You can see photos of different types of fleas and find out what they look like here.
Appearance
Quite typical for beetles belonging to the order Coleoptera . They have an elongated body, reliably protected by dense, hard elytra. The color can vary, from light green to almost black , it is usually monochromatic and has a metallic sheen. Some types are decorated with transverse stripes of contrasting colors.
The flea has small transparent wings with which it flies short distances. Long flights are beyond the capabilities of insects.
The antennae of the beetles are long, black, and dotted. There are usually 6 legs, like all other beetles. A special feature of fleas is their hind legs. Their first segments (“hips”) are thickened, and their “legs” are elongated, due to which the bugs have good jumping ability. It is because of this ability that fleas are confused with ordinary blood-sucking fleas .
REFERENCE ! In fact, fleas are not related to flea beetles. Colorado beetles and ladybugs can be considered close relatives of these pests.
Next you will see a photo of earthen fleas:
- Larvae.
These are small worms with soft outer coverings of an off-white color. The body consists of many segments, the head is dark. Legs 3 pairs.
- Egg.
It has an elliptical shape, slightly elongated upward. The color is light, yellowish or greenish.
- Doll.
The larva acquires a snow-white coloring of the integument. On top it is covered with a hard shell of beige or yellow color.
Reproduction
Complete metamorphosis is how fleas develop. This means that the egg that hatches as an adult first produces a larva. This larva then turns into a pupa. The larvae do not pose a great danger and are not capable of causing harm .
This is only a transitional stage, the final goal of which is an adult insect, which in the scientific world is called an imago. It is these latter that support their vital functions by feeding on the blood of animals and people.
An adult flea produces eggs that have a dry surface and usually fall into the insect's nest or onto the floor. The larvae, which emerge from the eggs after some time, are whitish in color and have no legs or organs of vision .
They can be observed in cracks in coverings or in carpets. If their direct carrier lives in the basement, then attention should be paid, first of all, to heaps of garbage and various household rubbish.
Flea larvae that threaten cats, dogs and humans sometimes settle on green lawns . There they have the opportunity to receive nutrition from plant juice.
Also, they are thus protected from the harmful effects of sunlight. Very often, owners of farms where pigs are raised become victims of fleas.
The egg development period ranges from several days to several weeks depending on environmental conditions. The life cycle of the larva is approximately two to four weeks.
When this period ends, the larva begins to construct a cobweb cocoon, which becomes its refuge until the time comes for rebirth into an adult flea, capable of obtaining its own food on its own.
Read more about flea reproduction.
The insect can remain in a clogged state for up to several months . It often happens that even the imago does not want to crawl out of the protective cocoon and does this only when it senses a potential victim.
How long does a flea live?
The optimal temperature for flea development is 18–27 degrees, and the most suitable humidity is 70–100%. Under such conditions, the flea grows in 20–49 days .
If the humidity drops below 60%, then the larvae stop the development process, and they completely die in the water .
It is interesting that if environmental conditions cannot be called favorable, then the period when the flea remains sealed in a cocoon may be significantly longer.
The main part of fleas are temporary parasites that use domestic animals and humans only to get enough food in order to continue their life activities.
