• Topics: Entomology and Nematology  |  Fleas and Ticks  | Household Pests (IMG -- Vol. 1, Ch. II)  | Fleas and Ticks  |  Koehler, Philip G  | Oi, Faith  | Family: Pulicidae 

Cat Flea, Ctenocephalides felis¹

The cat flea is the most common ectoparasite of both dogs and cats in the United States and has been found on over a dozen other animals. While it does serve as the intermediate host of some tapeworms, its main effect is the itching and irritation produced by its bite (along with flea allergy dermatitis in susceptible animals).

Biology And Behavior

Cat fleas have four stages in their development -- egg (Figure 1), larva (Figure 2), pupa and adult (Figure 3). The eggs, which are smaller than the period at the end of this sentence, are laid as the female feeds on the host and sift through the animal's coat to collect in the environment. The legless larvae which hatch from the eggs feed on excrement produced by the adult fleas and reach a length of about one-eighth inch. Outdoors these larvae develop in shaded soil and indoors they develop best in carpet. While under good conditions the larval stage takes only about a week, cool temperatures and low humidities can extend larval development for several weeks. The larvae spin cocoons of silk in which they incorporate debris from their environment (soil outdoors, soil and carpet fibers indoors) for pupation. The pupa develops and metamorphoses into an adult flea within this cocoon. This stage is the most variable in length as the pharate (pre-emerged) adult remains within the cocoon, sometimes for months, until signaled to emerge by such stimuli as pressure or carbon dioxide.

Figure 1. 

Cat flea eggs.

Figure 2. 

Cat flea larva.

Figure 3. 

Cat flea adult.

Appearance

Cat fleas are laterally-flattened, wingless insects approximately one-eighth inch long when engorged (double their unfed size). Under magnification they can be seen to have both genal and pronotal combs (ctenidia), differentiating them from most other fleas of domestic animals.

Control

Combing the animal with a flea comb will remove many of the fleas, so long as the animal tolerates combing. The safest products to use on the animal are botanicals or silica gel. Flea collars have been found ineffective in controlling fleas on the animal. While treatment with a dust, shampoo, or dip can rid the animal of fleas, it is likely to be repopulated once it is put back into an infested area. Products for spot treatment of pets are available from veterinarians.

It is essential to treat the home, the yard and the animal simultaneously. Insect growth regulators (methoprene, hydroprene, and pyriproxyfen) are suggested for their ability to interrupt the flea life cycle and are particularly recommended because of their safety to humans and pets. Several other products are registered for use against adult fleas and may be combined with one of the growth regulators to provide rapid knock-down of the adults present along with residual effectiveness against the immature stages.

Indoor treatments can be applied as surface treatments (Table 1) or space treatments (Table 2). These applications should be made to all areas where pets have access, concentrating on places where they spend the most time. Be sure to remove and protect childrens toys and other items to prevent contamination with spray.

Outdoor treatments can be applied as barrier (Table 3) or broadcast application (Table 4). Be sure to read and follow label directions.

Tables

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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.

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