Description

Adult fleas are between 1-3 mm long and brownish in colour. Their bodies are compressed from side to side which enables the flea to move through fur and feather with ease. The hind legs of a flea are relatively large and are used for jumping heights of up to 16 cm.

Habitat

Adult fleas live as parasites on warm-blooded mammals. Although there are fleas identified specifically as cat, dog or human fleas, these creatures are by no means found exclusively on these hosts.

Cat fleas cause most infestations and wall to wall carpeting, bedding and central heating in a home create ideal condition in which flea larvae can develop.

Threats

n the UK fleas are not often responsible for transmitting disease, however, dog fleas in particular, can transmit the dog tapeworm to humans.