Fleas lay eggs directly on a cat's skin, but the eggs aren't sticky, so they quickly fall off into the environment, accumulating in your cat's favorite resting spots like bedding, carpets, furniture, and even floor cracks, making these areas the primary source of infestation, not just the cat's fur. You'll often find adult fleas hiding on the cat around the neck, base of the tail, armpits, and groin where grooming is difficult, say Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and PetMD.
Fleas Need a Host to Lay Eggs
On dogs, you'll usually find the adult fleas around their hips or hindquarters. On cats, most fleas can be found near the neck. Because of their round shape and smooth exterior, the flea eggs slide off the host and become dispersed throughout the host's environment.
You can use a flea comb and a bowl of hot water with a bit of soap in it. Comb out the eggs and rinse the comb in the soapy water to make sure the eggs die.
Temperature and humidity have a lot to do with how quickly a flea egg will hatch. In humid and hot temperatures, about 50% of the flea eggs may hatch in about 36 hours. In cooler temperatures, flea eggs will take days to hatch.
According to Dr. Miller, cats tend to be bitten mostly on the back of the neck and the top of the tail head. "Cats are grooming animals," he points out, "and the fleas quickly figure out that a cat can't get at those areas.
Use a flea shampoo that is labeled for cats and recommended for your cat's particular life stage (adult or kitten). Active ingredients in medicated cat flea shampoos are designed to kill fleas instantly but won't prevent reinfestation later.
Fleas are so small that they often can get away with hiding deep into carpeting. Fleas also like to lay eggs in carpets and this is also where flea larvae is often discovered. Run your hands over the carpet and rug fibers and try to look for evidence of flea eggs or adult fleas themselves.
Flea season starts in May and runs all the way into the winter when temperatures begins to drop below freezing. The worst time of the year is during late summer to late fall, from September through November.
Apply a concentrated IGR insecticidal spray.
These types of products are designed to kill the eggs and the “youngins” of fleas and other pest insects, for this matter. It is also said that the main IGR ingredient affects adult fleas, as well. They become infertile and their eggs don't hatch.
To kill 100% of fleas, you need a multi-pronged approach: treat your pet with vet-approved products, thoroughly vacuum and wash all bedding, use effective indoor sprays with an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) to stop the life cycle, and consider professional pest control if the infestation is severe, as consistency in cleaning and treating for several weeks is key to breaking the cycle.
A bath alone won't solve the flea problem. It may remove some adult fleas, but it definitely won't address eggs, larvae, or pupae in your home.
Vacuuming can kill adult fleas instantly, but eggs and pupae may survive. Plan on vacuuming daily for at least 3 to 6 weeks to break the life cycle and stop new fleas from emerging. Always empty the bag outside after each use to prevent reinfestation.
A spot-on cat flea treatment will kill fleas on your cat within 24 hours. A home spray will instantly kill all eggs, larvae and adult fleas hiding in your home. However, there is no treatment that can kill a flea in its pupae stage.
There's no simple way to figure out when fleas are totally gone. If you invest in professional pest control then it's up to you to monitor the situation. Keep an eye out for classic symptoms such as pets scratching themselves, flea sightings, mysterious bites and flea eggs.
Yes, fleas will live on your furniture. This is the most common place for fleas to nestle. It's a horrid thought, but fleas will make home in your bedding. They can even get into your mattress, so clean that too!
To avoid such a nasty surprise, veterinary professional organizations recommend using an oral or spot-on flea product year-round, such as BRAVECTO® (fluralaner) to break the flea life cycle.
You can completely eliminate a flea infestation at a specific point in time, but fleas can always find their way back if your pet is unprotected. With consistent treatment, proper cleaning, and preventative care, you can keep your home flea-free and stop minor issues from turning into full-blown infestations.
The following tips may help to prevent, reduce or eliminate flea infestations:
Within 24 hours, you should start noticing dead fleas. It might even look like your cat has more fleas after treatment, but that is from the fleas dying and falling off with successful treatment. Ticks are most often killed after they bite a cat, so you might not notice the ticks fall off until they are dead.
Have you had friends visiting with a pet? They could have unsuspectingly brought fleas with them. Or perhaps you've moved into a new place? Flea infestations can lay dormant for up to nine months, depending on factors like heat and humidity.
Step 2: Shower
A good rinse with soap and shampoo will wash off any fleas that might have tried their luck. If you've got long hair, give it a proper scrub – Fleas can live in human hair!
– what smells do fleas absolutely hate? Due to their sensitive sensory systems, certain natural scents like lavender, eucalyptus, and citronella are extremely off-putting to fleas. These scents not only repel adult fleas but can also disrupt their ability to detect a host, effectively breaking the cycle of infestation.
White Sock Test
Walk around on the carpet throughout your home and shuffle your feet. Because fleas are attracted to heat, if they are there, you will discover black or brown specks on your socks when completed.
Rodent or Wildlife Carriers: Fleas are notorious for living on small mammals like rats, mice, squirrels, and raccoons. If these animals find their way into your attic, crawl spaces, or walls, they can bring fleas with them.
Another simple trick is the white sock test: wear clean white socks and walk around your home. Fleas, attracted to warmth and motion, may jump on your socks, revealing their presence through dark specks or tiny jumping insects.