Can Fleas Be Transported by Humans?
WouterMany people are concerned about fleas being spread to humans. After all, fleas are tiny, wingless insects that feed on human blood. They prefer hairy animals, but they’ll infest any animal with fur. This includes your dog and your neighbors’ pets. Here’s what you need to know to avoid getting infected.
Fleas are often easily accessible to humans through clothing, shoes, and blankets. Flea bites look similar to mosquito bites and are painful. A few days later, the itchiness will fade. Fleas can also hitchhike on people’s clothes. It’s important to keep your pets and home free from fleas. Most flea infestations begin outdoors. Rats and other urban wildlife can bring flea eggs into your yard. Once they’ve matured, they jump onto your pet and make their way into your home.
Fleas are wingless insects that can jump great distances. They usually have reddish brown bodies that are covered with microscopic hairs. Fleas are a bit smaller than cats and dogs, measuring between two and three millimeters in length. Their abdomens are compressed and narrow, which helps them travel through animal fur more easily.
In order to eradicate a flea infestation, you must kill the flea eggs as well as the adult fleas. Flea eggs are much harder to kill than flea adults, so it’s best to kill the adult fleas before they lay eggs. Fleas lay eggs in areas like area rugs and clothing.
