Flea Eggs Unveiled: Essential Insights for Cat Owners

Fleas: What are they?

Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that are highly skilled jumpers. The most prevalent flea species in Australia that infests cats is Ctenocephalide felis. More than simply a bother, fleas can also lead to skin conditions and, in large enough populations, anemia in cats. They can spread infectious or parasitic illnesses, some of which are also contagious to humans. Flea eggs are explained below.

How can fleas infect cats?

Cats are susceptible to catching fleas from places where other animals with flea infestations have gone. It may be your backyard, house, or additional outdoor space. Adult fleas seldom jump straight from one animal to another. There are four phases in the life cycle of a flea: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Only the adults live with your cat; the others are in the environment where your cat sleeps and lives. Flies have a daily egg-laying capacity of up to 50.

Depending on humidity and temperature, they drop into the environment and hatch into larvae, pupae, and adult fleas three weeks to a year later. These just-emerged adult fleas might re-infest your cat. Regarding the environmental phases that lead to 95% of the problems, the adult fleas you could see on your cat are just the tip of the iceberg.

Eggs in the flea life cycle

Cat fleas, or Ctenocephalide felis, account for 90% of pet flea infestations. Canine flea, or Ctenocephalide canis, is a much rarer species. Both species may infect cats, dogs, and wild animals like foxes, raccoons, and opossums. They occasionally may also bite people’s feet, ankles, and lower limbs.

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Female fleas are very prolific. They can reproduce amazingly hastily and lay eggs, up to at least one or seven hundred in their lifetime[1].

Within minutes of touching down on its host, the adult cat flea begins to evolve, eating, and 24 hours later, the female starts producing eggs[2]. They may lay 24 eggs on average and up to 50 eggs daily [3].

When the eggs hatch, they remain wet and retain the animal’s hair. They separate from the hair and drop to the ground as they swiftly dry.

They may thus find anywhere animals congregate, whether to eat, sleep, relax, or skip a use. Unlike larvae, which tend to dig deep into the floor, eggs are inactive.

Flea eggs are acquired in your home and deposited into an ever-developing reservoir that fuels the persistent infestation of your pets.

Think briefly: each flea you come across for your puppy can generate about 1,000 new fleas.

That’s horrifying.

Fortunately, many flea eggs die:

They are consumed by predators such as flea larvae, spiders, and other insects; they do not hatch and exterminate when you relax.

Flea eggs lay eggs that develop into first-level larvae.

Dog or cat dandruff or flea eggs?

If you have good vision and examine thoroughly, you should be able to distinguish between flea eggs and dandruff.

Flea eggs are perfectly white, shaped like a regular oval in three dimensions, and have the same size (approximately 0.5 mm) while on the pet’s coat. They mostly remain on the animal’s coat for a few hours. They roll off and hit the ground as soon as they dry.

A white flakes of skin make up dandruff. They are both flat and have significant size differences. The coat has consistent dandruff dispersion and constant peeling.

The inflammatory skin disease, desquamation, characterized by excessive epidermal exfoliation, causes dandruff.

Cats rarely acquire dandruff because they take good care of themselves, but dogs do. It’s more noticeable in senior cats that don’t groom as much.

Irritation, allergies, or certain underlying metabolic disorders like hyperadrenocorticism or hypothyroidism can all lead to scaling. Cats with dandruff may have an infection with the fungus Malassezia.

Flea eggs on bed sheets

It is a question that some pet owners with flea infestations frequently ask.

It will become evident that there is little need for concern.

There are a few scenarios to think about:

Is it okay for your cat or dog to sit on your bed or go on walks? If not, there is no possibility that flea eggs 

will land on your linens since they will fall off your pet’s coat when it becomes afflicted with fleas.

Do you observe flea droppings? The locations of flea feces and eggs are precisely the same. These feces resemble black dust. Place the dust you have gathered on a wet piece of paper to see whether it is from fleas. If you see a crimson discharge (undigested blood after flea meals), you may have flea eggs in your bed.

 Do your legs and ankles have red, itching spots? It might also mean that fleas are overrunning your house.

The best way to prevent cat fleas in the house

It is a question that some pet owners with flea infestations frequently ask.

It will become evident that there is little need for concern.

There are a few scenarios to think about:

• Is it okay for your cat or dog to sit on your bed or go on walks? If not, there is no possibility that flea eggs will land on your linens since they will fall off your pet’s coat when it becomes afflicted with fleas.
•  Do you observe flea droppings? The locations of flea feces and eggs are precisely the same. These feces resemble black dust. Place the dust you have gathered on a wet piece of paper to see whether it is from fleas. If you see a crimson discharge (undigested blood after flea meals), you may have flea eggs in your bed.
•  Do your legs and ankles have red, itching spots? It might also mean that fleas are overrunning your house.

Felines are highly tenacious and hard to eradicate. Yes, all of the aforementioned preventative actions can assist you in managing a moderate flea problem. Still, they must be adequate to address your flea problems, especially if they become more serious.

It is central because most of the flea control methods mentioned above only target the adult stages of fleas, ignoring the larvae and eggs.

What do you do if you have fleas in your house?

You will speak with a Rentokil Indonesia technician regarding the fleas you have observed. We believe the infestation is due to fleas, not other typically misidentified pests like bed bugs. After that, we will inspect your house to find out their location and method of entry.

We inspect every space, including the furniture, beneath any carpets or rugs and in any small cracks or crevices that might serve as flea-hiding spots. Adult cat fleas may fit into even the smallest spaces in your house because of their small size, and we’ll check every one of them.

Next, depending on the details of your infestation, we will suggest a course of action and provide you with an estimate for its implementation. Our specialists will schedule a technician to come out and address your flea problem after you have approved the fee. Many visits might be required, depending on the course of therapy.

Safe and Easily Accessible Flea Control Products

Revolution (selamectin)

Revolution is a skin-applied topical parasiticide lasting 30 days. By assaulting the neurological system of the flea, selamectin kills adult fleas and their larvae and stops their eggs from developing. It also serves as a heartworm preventive and a treatment for roundworms and ear mites. Revolution complies with more stringent safety standards and has FDA approval.

 Revolution comes with formulas suitable for cats aged eight weeks and above and based on alcohol. It is a prescription drug. We heartily suggest this medication for cats that go outside since it guards against several internal and external parasite illnesses.

(Spinetoram)Cheristin

Spinetoram is a new chemical that attacks the neurological system of fleas, causing paralysis and quick death. At least 98.8% of live fleas will eliminated in 6–12 hours. Applying the medication all over the body, it works as a topical parasiticide and is unaffected by water or sunlight once dried. This product is over-the-counter, has an easy-to-use applicator tip, and is safe and effective. 

Conclusion 

Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that can infect cats, causing skin conditions and anemia and spreading infectious or parasitic illnesses. They may infest cats in backyards or outdoor settings where other animals have been present. 

Fleas have a daily egg-laying capacity of up to 50 and can hatch into larvae, pupae, and adult fleas three weeks to a year later. Female fleas are prolific and can lay up to one or seven hundred eggs in their lifetime. Pet owners are constantly battling a continuous infestation of fleas, which arrive in houses and deposit into an ever-growing pool.

Inflammatory skin diseases, desquamation, and underlying metabolic abnormalities can cause dandruff, a white flake on the skin. It is more noticeable in senior cats and results from irritation, allergies, or metabolic disorders. To prevent flea infestations, pet owners should consider allowing their pets to sit on their beds, observe flea droppings, and have red, itching spots on their legs and ankles. Rentokil Indonesia technicians can help identify and address flea infestations, providing an estimate for treatment and a technician to address the problem. Revolution and Spinetoram are topical parasiticides that target the neurological system of fleas, killing adult fleas, larvae, and eggs and providing heartworm prevention, roundworm treatment, and ear mite treatment.