The human flea is pulex irritans, the dog flea is c. canis and the cat flea is ctenocephalides felis. Although there are many types of fleas, these are the three most commonly found in the home. Fleas will attack humans and animals, infest pets, rooms, carpets, upholstered furniture and can also be found in the garden.
Fleas are very small and black.
Often you cannot see their eggs or their pupal cocoons, but will notice a small black insect on you or jumping off your pet after it has bitten. Bites may cause slight red dot-like welts from the flea s blood sucking feeding, and itching and usually appear in a series around the ankles on humans, or anywhere on the body. In addition to annoying bites, fleas can transmit several more dangerous diseases such as bubonic plague, tapeworms and murine typhus. Female fleas lay eggs shortly after feeding on animal blood and often lay them on the host s bed or body. Eggs fall of the body and bedding into floor crevices, carpets, and other areas in the home and hatch within 10 days.