Fleas are surprisingly hard to squish, so you’d better come up with a plan B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are the details on squishing fleas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Fleas have shells made of chitin that act like armor which makes them hard to squash.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They can jump up to 80x higher than their height, so they can easily jump<\/a> out of reach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fleas are tougher than they seem – chances are they will just hop away unscathed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Keep reading to find out more about squishing fleas and what you should do instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAre Fleas Hard to Squish?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/fleas-1-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFleas have a sturdy exoskeleton made of chitin, used to protect themselves from predators. Chitin is a protective exterior shell that acts like armor and makes fleas hard to squash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apart from these shells, fleas are very quick and have a powerful jump that lets them zip away.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the ability to jump up to 80x higher than their own height, they can easily spring right out of reach. The extra joints contained in their rear legs are what give them their ‘bounciness.’ <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fleas feed on blood to survive. However, what you don’t know is that they can live as long as two weeks without feeding once<\/a>. And their eggs will outlast them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you leave your flea-infested house for a few days, they’ll probably still be waiting for you when you get back, ready to feast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhy You Shouldn’t Even Try Squishing Fleas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Touching a flea, in general, is a risky move as they can carry numerous diseases. Fleas once carried the Black Plague, a deadly disease that killed millions of people. Although fleas are no longer considered a risk to humans, you should still be wary of the illnesses they can carry.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some of the more common human diseases found in fleas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Flea tapeworm <\/strong>– transmitted when ingested or by infected feces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Plague <\/strong>– transmitted in oriental rat fleas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flea-borne typhus<\/strong> – is transmitted in cat fleas by their infected feces or bites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tungiasis <\/strong>– transmitted in chigoe fleas when they bite\/burrow into the skin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bartonellosis <\/strong>– transmitted in oriental rat and cat fleas when they bite. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Here are some of the more common diseases that affect cats and dogs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Flea-borne typhus<\/strong> – transmitted in cat fleas by their infected feces or bites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cat scratch disease <\/strong>– transmitted in cat fleas. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Plague <\/strong>– transmitted when they eat a rodent infected by a flea. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flea tapeworm<\/strong> – transmitted when ingested. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Parasitic dermatitis<\/strong> – is caused when a dog\/cat is allergic to flea saliva. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Anemia\/iron deficiency<\/strong> – is caused when a pet is inflicted with a large population of fleas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Please keep these in mind if you or your pet are experiencing flea problems, no matter how minor they may be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow to Properly Get Rid of Fleas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So we’ve established that squishing or squashing won’t do it. So what will?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting Rid of Fleas on Your Pets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are several different flea treatment options when it comes to your pets. Your vet can prescribe you oral medication that works through the bloodstream and is most effective at killing them at different life stages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also put special collars on your pet to kill surface fleas and topical products that you apply directly to the skin. Whichever treatment you use, you will likely have to continue it over a few weeks, sometimes more.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get Out The Vacuum!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/7186642_businesswoman-cleaning-with-vacuum-cleaner-e1664213424215-678x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOne of the easiest ways to get rid of fleas in the home is by vacuuming. Then vacuuming some more. Then some more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did we mention vacuuming? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a few weeks, you should vacuum your home thoroughly daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be sure to get in all the nooks and crannies, as this is where flea larvae are usually found. And the larvae are what you want to look out for.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even after all the fleas are dead, their larvae can remain dormant and resistant to flea-killing products until they emerge from their cocoons. Flea bombs and similar treatments<\/a> are tempting, but they don’t kill the eggs. It’s best to stick with other options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fire Up The Washer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/laundry-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n - Cat scratch disease <\/strong>– transmitted in cat fleas. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Plague <\/strong>– transmitted in oriental rat fleas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fleas are tougher than they seem – chances are they will just hop away unscathed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n