An infestation of fleas consists of thousands of individuals and more thousands of the various stages of lifecycle (e.g. eggs, larvae, pupa, etc). Fleas are more prevalent in late spring, summer and early autumn because of the ambient temperatures.
Fleas can develop from egg to adult within a wide-ranging period - from a few weeks to as much as 8 months - depending on the temperature, food source and humidity. Like Bed Bugs, a flea can survive for up to 1 year without feeding but must feed to reproduce.
The female flea lays approximately 40 - 50 eggs a day and can lay up to 600 - 700 in its lifetime. Multiply this by hundreds of thousands of fleas and you begin to see the potential size of your problem.
The flea chooses its host (often pets and wild animals) to lay the eggs on - and anywhere that host frequents or sleeps will also become a fertile environment for fallen eggs, a nursery for developing fleas and a perfect breeding ground for adults. Surrounding furniture, bedding, kennels, baskets, rugs and carpets all become infested extremely quickly.
Risks: Numerous Diseases
Fleas are one of the most infamous carriers of fatal diseases in the history of the world, the most notorious of these being the Bubonic Plague (in which the Black Rat played a pivotal role as its host). It is a common misconception that the plague has been eliminated, however it is easily treated these days with antibiotics if caught in time.
Additionally, it is not uncommon for fleas to transmit Endemic Typhus, Tapeworm, Ricketts, bacterialogical and skin diseases.
Treatment
Treatment involves a three-pronged approach - also known as "Integrated Pest Management" (IPM).
The first point of response is often to treat the initial source - i.e. your pets... This helps relieve them of the torment of bites, allergies and skin infections. If it is not serious, this is easily done by the owner with over-the-counter medication. More serious cases should be referred to a veterinarian.
The second phase of IPM is to treat all infested areas / rooms with the appropriate technique - this technique will be defined by the infected and surrounding environment.
The third phase of IPM is to return to the infestation a number of weeks after the initial visit to apply a second course of treatment. This is necessary to completely eradicate the infestation due to the dormant nature of the fleas various stages of development and means that this lifecycle can only be broken by at least two visits.
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