Do people have fleas and what is their danger
The human flea is a dangerous parasite that lives on animals and in human hair. She feeds on his blood and multiplies rapidly. Also, the human flea is a carrier of dangerous infectious diseases and some types of helminths.
Description
The human flea differs from other flea species in its jumping ability, it can jump up to 50 cm in length and up to 30 cm in height.
The length of her body is 1,6-3,2 mm. The body color of the flea can be from light brown to brown-black. The lifespan of this parasite is up to 513 days.
In addition to humans, she can live on pets:
- cats
- dogs;
- horses;
- pigs.
She also lives well and breeds on wild animals:
- wolf;
- jackal;
- a fox;
- ferret.
It feeds on the blood of its host by piercing the skin. Blood sucking can last from a few seconds to 20 minutes. Digestion of blood lasts 5-6 hours. The human flea differs from other types of fleas in the absence of head and chest crests.
Reproduction
The female flea is slightly larger than the male, she is very prolific, and can lay up to 500 eggs in her life. They are white in color, up to 0,5 mm long, the female lays them in the cracks in the floor, in the folds of furniture, in the places where cats and dogs are located. In favorable conditions, it can breed all year round.
Within 2-10 days, a worm-like larva appears from the egg, up to 5 mm long, its development can last up to 202 days. The larva turns into a pupa in 6 - 239 days, and an adult flea appears from it, the entire cycle from larva to adult can last up to a year under unfavorable conditions.
The larvae feed on organic remains, dry blood, and they are very tenacious, they can withstand air temperatures up to +36 degrees at a humidity of 90%. At low humidity and high temperature, they die.
Harm to human health
A human flea does not sit on a person all the time, it can be in a secluded place, hungry, attacks a person and bites.
- With bites, pathogens of plague, leprosy, and rat typhus can enter the blood with saliva.
- Also, fleas can infect a person with tularemia, pseudotuberculosis, anthrax, encephalitis. They are carriers of some types of helminths.
- Flea bites are itchy and can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
- Wounds after bites should be washed immediately with cold water and soap and treated with an antiseptic.
- In case of redness and swelling, seek medical help.
Guide on how to deal with flea bites - here to register:.
Flea prevention and control measures
Examine pets and treat them immediately if fleas appear.
Fleas can enter the premises from the street. When parasites appear, immediately begin to fight them with available methods.
Conclusion
Human fleas are dangerous bloodsuckers whose bites can be harmful to health. In living quarters, they can sit in secluded places, and only when hungry, jump on a person. They are very prolific, one female can produce up to 500 eggs in her lifetime. Therefore, when these parasites appear in your home, you must immediately begin to fight them with all available methods.
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