Community identification
Flea
Siphonaptera (Order)
- Order & Family
- Order: Siphonaptera; Family: Pulicidae (most common household pests like Cat Fleas or Dog Fleas belong here)
- Size
- 1.5 to 3.3 mm long
Natural Habitat
Found on the bodies of mammals and birds, as well as in bedding, carpets, and cracks in floors where pets sleep.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeders); adults require blood meals from a host to reproduce.
Behavior Patterns
They are wingless but are incredible jumpers, capable of leaping vertically up to 7 inches to reach a host. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Their bites cause intense itching and allergic reactions (flea allergy dermatitis). They can transmit diseases such as plague (Yersinia pestis) and parasites like tapeworms.