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pests
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| Bed Bugs
Fleas
The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)
is the cause of over three-quarters of
all flea infestations. At 2-3mm long,
it is often found in host bedding and,
in instances of infestation in commercial
premises, can often be traced to a feral
cat problem. Human and dog fleas are less
common and the majority of human flea
bites come from cat fleas Adult fleas
live off the blood of a variety of warm
blooded-animals and birds. They are more
nest than host specific and will feed
on other animals in the absence of the
preferred host. Fleas are carriers of
both disease, such as typhus and bubonic
plague, and also parasitic worms. Rodent
fleas, in particular, are a prevalent
source of murine typhus. In the UK, fleas
are less of a concern from a disease perspective
but their bites - visible as small deep-red
spots within a reddened area - are painful
and irritating and carry a social stigma.
Flea larvae develop easily in typical
living room conditions with wall to wall
carpeting and central heating.
Pest information supplied by Sorex.
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