6 Not-so-Fun Flea Facts
Fleas are one of the most common household pests in the United States. Although small in size, they can cause serious heartache for family members and their pets.
Female Produce up to 5,000 Eggs
Ever wonder why it’s so hard to control fleas in your home? Well, one of the reasons is because females lay up to 5,000 eggs in their lifetime. Assuming there are just 100 female fleas in your home, that’s half a million eggs!
Only 5% are Adults
Reports indicate that just 5% of a typical flea infestation are adult fleas. The remaining 95% are eggs, larvae, and pupae. That means for every five “normal” fleas you see, there are 95 others scattered throughout your home in different stages of their life cycle.
Vector for Infectious Disease
Fleas are more than just a nuisance; they can carry dangerous infectious diseases, including the bubonic and septicemic plague.
Fleas can Drink 15x Their Body Weight in Blood
To say fleas drink a lot of blood would be an understatement. Fleas can drink up to 15x their body weight in blood per day.
Some People and Pets are Allergic to Fleas
Even if you don’t succumb to infectious illness from a flea bit, you may still experience an allergic reaction. Affecting both humans and pets alike, Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) is a condition that’s characterized by skin redness, itching, and inflammation in response to a flea bite.
Fleas can Jump 100x Their Length
Relative to body size, fleas are one of the most capable jumpers in the animal kingdom. Using their hind legs, they can jump to heights of 7 inches, which is about 100x their body length.
If you’re dealing with a flea infestation, contact us today. ABJ Pest & Termite is Texas’ premier residential and commercial pest control service provider.
