Fleas are pesky little critters that seem to come out of nowhere. They ruin our sleep and quality of life, and above all, they can be vectors of a lot of diseases. Pets are commonly exposed to such dangers, and a severe flea infestation on an animal can also cause anemia, as well as iron deficiency.
Many people believe that humans aren’t exposed to any risks if they are bitten by fleas. The truth, however, is far scarier. Let’s look at several facts that every homeowner needs to know about to prevent diseases carried by fleas.
Just what types of fleas are capable of biting humans?
There are four main flea varieties you should know about, and each of these prefers different hosts. The most common species, and unfortunately, the most versatile one is Pulex irritans, which sucks the blood of a variety of mammals ranging from chickens to dogs. Yes, these species also prefer human blood.
The Chigoe flea can be found in areas like Central and South America, as well as tropical regions of Africa. Unlike some other types, this one doesn’t just suck some blood and then go its way. No, this one is far more dangerous as it burrows into the human’s skin.
Xenopsylla cheopis is the common flea of rats, so if you have a rat infestation in your apartment building or home, you have to get rid of the rodents as soon as possible so as to ensure that you don’t also have to manage a flea infestation, too.
Cat fleas are also resourceful, which means that while they do prefer cats as hosts, they can feed on a variety of other mammals, including humans. Both dog and cat fleas will not reproduce on people, but they will suck their blood if there’s no canine or feline in the environment that they can use a host instead.
The dangers of flea bites
All of these varieties can transmit some diseases. Pulex irritans, for example, the most common variety, can be the vector of two parasitic tapeworms. Of all of the species we have showcased above, the one that’s most dangerous is the Chigoe, whose damage can get so severe that people can have their arms or legs amputated. There is no way of getting rid of the flea and minimizing its damage other than surgery.
The oriental rat flea, the Xenopsylla cheopis we were mentioning earlier on, is capable of transmitting a plethora of diseases. Maybe you’ve heard that during the Middle Ages, there was a horrible disease called the Black Death. This condition is the bubonic plague and is caused by Yersinia pestis. The disease wiped out hundreds of thousands of people, and the vectors that carried it from one host to the next were represented by rats and their fleas. Cat fleas are usually harmless, but if you live in an area where cases of typhus have been reported (although that’s highly unlikely in most civilized countries), they might be vectors of this horrible condition.
How to protect yourself against fleas
Most fleas are active during the summer when the weather’s hot outside and that is what makes the difference between them and ticks, which prefer milder climates and are active during spring.
What you can do to protect your family and your pets is to get a good flea treatment for yards and houses. If you have pets, get one that’s non-toxic to animals. You need to make sure that you eliminate both adults and larvae, so the treatment has to be applied in two sessions separated by seven or eight days.
Manage your flea infestation as best as possible, which is to say that you should clean your home and every corner, carpet, and everything else in it. You should also apply a spot-on solution to your pets’ skin or any other type of flea treatment.
