The Dog Flea often feed on canine and feline hosts, however, they may bite humans on some occasions. Besides the usual itching and red bite marks that appears following a flea bite, the Dog Flea is able to transmit tapeworm parasites which can affect humans.
Appearance
- Brownish-black in colour, but appear reddish-black after a blood meal
- Dog Fleas are 1–4 mm long
Appearance
- A female flea will lay 4–8 eggs after each blood meal, and can usually lay several hundred eggs during her adult life.
- Smooth, oval light-coloured eggs measuring around 0.5 mm long are usually laid on hosts, but will not be firmly attached.
- Larvae feed on organic matter in environment
- An adult takes a week or two from the larval and pupal phase, but under unfavourable conditions, it can remain in the pupal phase for up to a year