Fleas are always a concern if you're a pet owner, especially as they don't always stay solely on our furry friends.
As well as causing plenty of irritation for their hosts, which they live on the blood of, they can also bite humans and infest upholstery.
And according to one vet, we might be seeing a lot more of them this summer, partly thanks to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, reports The Mirror.
Zoe Costigan, from pet wellbeing firm ITCHpet.com, is predicting a “flea explosion” in the coming months.
She explained how a combination of climate and missed preventative treatments due to the coronavirus pandemic had “created a perfect storm and ideal breeding ground for fleas”.
A new study of 2,000 UK cat and dog owners revealed one in ten have found treating their pets for parasites more difficult during the COVID-19 outbreak, with 15 percent citing they have struggled to get to pet shops and vets during the lockdown period.
When asked, close to one in five said they had been unable to treat their four-legged friends for fleas in March. This figure rose to nearly a quarter in April.
Alarmingly, over a third also admitted that they didn’t think missing a single treatment would make a difference - but this isn’t the case.
Ms Costigan said: “With flooding, followed by record-high temperatures at the beginning of the year and forecasters predicting one of the hottest summers on record, it’s really important to get back on track with parasite protection, as this is the perfect breeding ground for fleas.
“Fleas are not only a source of irritation but can also cause skin inflammation and severe distress, as well as acting as a carrier for other parasites such as tapeworm. It is so much easier to prevent an infestation than to treat one.”
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She added: “Also, because fleas have four main stages in their life cycle - adult, egg, larva, and pupa - the total flea life cycle can range from a couple weeks to several months, depending on environmental conditions, so missing the odd treatment really does matter.”
If you’re concerned about fleas, the experts at Itchpet.com have shared their top tips for spotting a flea outbreak.
Here’s what you need to look out for:
Excessive scratching - have you noticed your cat or dog scratching more than usual? This is typically a strong sign that your pet is hosting some unwanted parasites. Also look out for constant licking and biting too.
Fleas are normally reddy-brown and about 2mm long. In cats, fleas most commonly live around the head and neck. Check here as well as on its back and belly. Fleas on dogs, on the other hand, tend to target their lower back, chest, belly and legs.
If you suspect an infestation, look for black specks on your pet’s skin where you part the fur. Wipe these away with some damp cotton wool and then look at the cotton wool, if it is red tinged, this is flea dirt or faeces.
Fleas prefer to live on your pet, but they can also take up residence on you. If the population grows, fleas can branch out and begin living in carpets, rugs, bedding and upholstered furniture.
Fleabites on people are pretty distinctive - and not to mention incredibly itchy. Most commonly found around the legs or ankle, they look like small red bumps in clusters of three or four. You may also notice a red “halo” around the bite centre.
