Fleas
Siphonaptera
General Information
While fleas are tiny, they can be a huge nuisance to people and pets. Find out where fleas come from, where they live, and how to help protect your family and pets from these blood-sucking pests.
- The female flea can consume 15 times her body weight in blood every day.
- It’s not enough to kill the adult fleas that you see, you must also eliminate their eggs and the flea larvae.
- Fleas are most prevalent in warm and temperate climates year-round. However, in some colder climates, they are only seasonal.
- Adult fleas are tiny in size (about a sixteenth of an inch long) and reproduce quickly.
- Only adult fleas bite. The larvae feed on dried blood exuded from the adult flea.
Size
Color
Bite or Sting
Wings
Commonly mistaken for
Additional details
- Pets can get fleas from the yard, dog parks, and from coming into close contact with infested animals.
- Most adult fleas live on your pet.
- Flea larvae are most commonly found on your pet’s bed, its favorite piece of furniture, or on the carpet.
- Adult fleas survive on blood.
- Fleas prefer to bite cats and dogs, but will attack humans when a pet cannot be found.
- Some cats and dogs that are infested with fleas develop dermatitis around the bite area. Excessive scratching in pets with fleas is common.
- Fleas may also serve as an intermediate host for tapeworms that infect dogs, cats, and occasionally small children.
- Flea bites continuously annoy pets and humans.
Help get rid of fleas in the house & carpet
- Treat your home, pet, and pet areas simultaneously to help kill fleas most completely.
- Do a follow-up pet treatment two to three weeks after the first treatment because fleas in their pupal stage may survive the first round of treatment.
- Wash bedding and rugs your pet may have contacted in hot water to remove existing fleas, eggs, and larvae.
- Vacuum often to help get rid of fleas in your carpet. After vacuuming, seal the bag securely in another plastic bag and throw it away outside your home.
- Steam clean all carpets if you have a heavy flea infestation.
Help get rid of fleas on dogs & cats
- Give your pet a designated sleeping area that can be cleaned regularly.
- Wash pets regularly with a flea shampoo.
- Talk to your veterinarian about flea prevention treatments for dogs and cats.
Solutions for Fleas
Raid® Multi Insect Killer Eucalyptus kills flying and crawling insects fast. Its low odour formulation with eucalyptus scent makes it suitable for use in and around the home while delivering effective insect control. A dual-purpose aerosol designed to control a wide range of insects across different environments, including indoor areas and outdoor spaces such as patios, gardens, and picnic areas.
Highlights
- Fast killing action, effective with one direct spray
- Kills flying and crawling insects
- Low odour formulation with eucalyptus scent
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Raid® Multi Insect Killer Odourless kills flying and crawling insects fast. Its odourless formulation makes it suitable for use in and around the home while delivering effective insect control. A dual-purpose aerosol designed to provide effective control across multiple pest types, offering a convenient single solution for indoor environments.
Highlights
- Fast killing action on contact
- Effective against flying and crawling insects
- Odourless formulation for indoor use
- Suitable for use in and around the home
Raid® Essentials Multi Insect Killer is designed to kill flying and crawling insects on contact. Its water-based, odourless formula delivers effective pest control without the irritating smell of kerosene or leaving an oily film, making it suitable for use in and around the home. Designed for use across multiple surfaces including carpets, draperies, no-wax floors, and outdoor areas such as gardens, terraces, and backyards, providing versatile insect control for everyday use.
Highlights
- Kills flying and crawling insects on contact.
- Water-based formulation.
- Odourless with no irritating kerosene smell.
- Leaves no oily film.
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
- May be sprayed onto plants and flowers; avoid over-saturation and test on a leaf first
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