Flea - parasite with jumping ability

Luise Heine has been an editor at since 2012. The qualified biologist studied in Regensburg and Brisbane (Australia) and gained experience as a journalist in television, in the Ratgeber-Verlag and in a print magazine. In addition to her work at , she also writes for children, for example for the Stuttgarter Kinderzeitung, and has her own breakfast blog, “Kuchen zum Frühstück”.

More posts by Luise Heine All content is checked by medical journalists.

Fleas are best known for their jumping ability and their inglorious role in spreading the plague. The plague has not been an issue for us for a long time - but fleas are still. Pet owners in particular often have problems with the blood-sucking insects. You can find out everything you need to know about fleas here.

How do I recognize a flea?

Fleas are wingless insects. They are two to four millimeters long and brown to black in color. Fleas can be recognized by two special features: On the one hand, they are flattened on the sides, and on the other hand, the rear pair of legs is strong and enables the animals to jump very far.

There are over 2000 different types of fleas, the most common of which is the cat flea.

Where does a flea live?

The representative originally known as the "human flea" has largely disappeared from the apartments today. If people find fleas in them nowadays, it is mostly the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), less often the dog flea (C. canis). Both find their way to humans rather by chance, because nowadays they live very closely with their pets. The flea itself isn't very picky - it doesn't care where it gets its blood meal.

In search of it, he crawls under people's clothing to suck blood from hidden areas of skin. This can often be recognized by the characteristic "street of fleas": the parasites sting in several places one behind the other in search of a blood vessel, so that several stitches are lined up.

Can fleas cause disease?

Flea bites are very itchy, often for days. Those who scratch flea bites too hard run the risk of becoming infected with bacteria and causing them to become infected. Fleas can also cause allergies.

The flea achieved fame as a carrier of the plague-causing bacteria (Yersinia pestis). The highly contagious plague has occurred repeatedly in major pandemics in the past, killing millions in the process. Nowadays the plague can be treated well with antibiotics and is practically non-existent in our part of the world. In countries such as Peru, Congo or China, on the other hand, local outbreaks are reported from time to time.

What is special about the flea?

Unlike mosquitoes, both sexes of fleas suck blood at least once a day for 20 to 100 minutes.They gain up to 20 times their body weight. The fleas are happy to have several large blood meals in a row, but are then also able to survive for up to two months without food.

The female lays up to 400 eggs in batches between blood meals. Filing space is a place where the host often stays - for example, the place to sleep (bed). The larvae do not suck blood, but feed primarily on hair, scales, but also on blood particles that are excreted by the adult fleas with the feces. After 21 to 30 days, the larvae have developed into sexually mature fleas.

The flea is famous for its outstanding jumping ability. An animal with a length of 1.5 millimeters brings it to a jump height of 35 centimeters. In this way, the animals can move quickly on the host or quickly escape in dangerous situations.

How do I fight fleas properly?

In most cases it is mainly individual fleas from other mammals that get lost on humans. If it repeatedly tickles slightly in one place, you should carefully air your clothes and go in search of the small insects. If the culprit is found, it is best to press him into adhesive tape - this is the most reliable method of rendering him harmless. Because of its flat body shape, it is difficult to crush, and thanks to its strong ankle legs, it can escape quickly.

You haven't caught the flea or it tickles you repeatedly without you discovering the parasite? Then it is advisable to put all the clothes you have worn in the washing machine and treat yourself to a shower.

Antihistamines, zinc shaking mixtures with tannins (Tannosynt) and menthol alcohol are suitable for relieving itching after flea bites.

How can I prevent fleas?

To prevent infestation, you should regularly check your pets for fleas with a flea comb and treat them if necessary. There are some commercially available flea products available for this.

In the event of flea infestation, you should also clean the sleeping areas of your hairy darlings and their surroundings and vacuum carpets and floors vigorously. Washables (e.g. blankets) should be washed at 60 degrees.

By the way, caution is also advised when cleaning old bird nest boxes - real flea colonies often lurk here, hungry waiting for a new host. Make sure you work with gloves and try to carry away the old nesting material with your arms outstretched when disposing of it.

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