Why Do Fleas Turn Red in Water?
WouterIf you’ve noticed a red fleck in your pet’s bath water, chances are your dog or cat has fleas. The red fleck is actually flea dirt, which has dried blood in it. The dirt appears brown to black on the surface, but turns red in water when it is wet.
Adult fleas are about an eighth of an inch long and are reddish brown. They are very skinny, and their back legs are large. Female fleas lay up to 50 eggs a day. After they have ingested blood, they will pass poop. This poop is easily visible on your pet’s fur, and turns red or brown when exposed to water. During the breeding season, female fleas lay eggs on your pet. The eggs look like specks of salt, and will be red or brown when rehydrated.
The most common spot to spot flea dirt is on your pet’s stomach. This area of your pet’s fur is the lightest and thinnest. You may also find it on your pet’s bedding. If you suspect your pet has fleas, you can perform an easy test to detect them. Take a piece of paper towel and soak it in water. The dirt will turn red when wet, and this is one of the best ways to determine if you have a flea infestation.
You can use flea treatments to kill fleas in your home. It’s recommended that you treat your pets with flea treatments regularly. In order to completely eliminate the fleas, it’s best to clean all your pets’ fabrics and bedding regularly. But keep in mind that removing the entire infestation of fleas from your house can take up to 3 months. That’s because fleas take between two and three months to complete their life cycle.
