Fleas are extremely tiny (ranging from 1/16 to 1/8 inches long), very nimble and dark brown or black in color. Their legs are long, with the hind pair well adapted for jumping. The flea is one of the best jumpers in the whole animal kingdom, with the capability to jump around 200 times their own body length. Fleas can jump vertically up to seven inches and horizontally up to 13 inches. They are wingless insects who are well known for piercing skin of humans and animals and sucking their blood, resulting in itchy and sometimes painful bites. Humans are not the ideal candidate for a flea to host upon, as they are not as hairy as our furry dog and cat counterparts.

A flea’s body is rigid, polished and covered with tiny hairs and short spines directed backward, making it very aerodynamic when it jumps. The flea’s robust body is able to withstand an unbelievable amount of pressure; even hard squeezing between the fingers is normally an inadequate force to kill a flea! Adult fleas must have fed on blood before reproducing, where they then lay eggs in batches of 20.

Many animals and people suffer allergic reactions from flea bites, which result in rashes more times than not. These rashes are a slightly-raised, swollen itching spot with a single puncture point at the center. The bites often are distinguishable in clusters or lines of two bites and can remain itchy and irritated for weeks. In extreme cases, fleas can cause anemia to their hosts, as well as hair loss as a result of frequent irritation.

If you suspect a flea invasion, contact the experts at Solidified Pest Control to eradicate them before they become an issue in your home, your pets and even your family.