![]() Since flea dirt is feces left behind by these parasites, it generally only arises after the flea has fed on the dog’s blood. It appears as small, black, and flaky, and is commonly mistaken for regular dirt, or fleas themselves. Flea dirt is a flea’s excrement, which contains a dog’s digested blood. You’d find “flea dirt” on your dog’s belly and underside, and where the fur thins around their joints. ![]() The insects crawling on the dog’s fur (particularly on its neck and shoulder blades).If you notice your dog persistently itching, you’ll need to do some investigating to confirm whether they have fleas. However, these insects are sneaky and can be difficult to spot. Nobody wants to discover fleas on their dog. Since not as many ticks were culled during the winter, there could be more once temperature conditions are ideal for them to thrive. As records indicate warmer and warmer years, ticks also come out sooner. A study conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources found that tick populations start decreasing when temperatures dip to -2 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.ĭuring especially colder seasons, up to 20% of a local tick population could die off. Nature relies on frigid winters to cull the tick population - at least to some extent. Then, around springtime or any days when the weather gets warmer, they exit their dormant period and look for hosts. During the winter, they burrow for insulation, where they enter a period of low energy. They’re also common after periods of heavy rainfall. They’re typically found in wooded areas littered with dead leaves, or wood piles, especially in moist areas or near bodies of water. Ticks can survive months without feeding on a host’s blood. Ticks Can Survive Long Periods Without Hosts They can lay about 50 eggs per day, meaning it’s not long before one flea on your dog could turn into several. While fleas don’t live in colonies, female fleas can start laying eggs almost immediately after first feeding on a host. When environmental conditions aren’t ideal, such as temperatures dipping below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the pupa can stay in their cocoons and bide their time until temperatures increase. They have four life stages: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. That’s why these six-legged hoppers jump from dog to dog, and a flea can jump a distance of nearly 100 to 200 times its own size.Ī flea’s lifecycle also plays a critical role in when they become more of a threat to dogs. However, in the wild (and without a consistent food source), a flea will die within one to two weeks - a fraction of its 100-day lifespan. Fleas cause more than itching and skin irritation some carry tapeworm eggs, which can be transmitted to dogs when they groom themselves and ingest the insects.įleas thrive in humid areas, typically found among tall grasses and shrubs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CD C) notes that there are over 300 species of fleas in the U.S. One of the deadliest varieties is the black-legged tick, also known as the “deer tick.” In some parts of the country, up to 15% of these arachnids can transmit Lyme disease, which can lead to cardiac, neurological, and urinary complications in dogs. There are at least 90 species of ticks in the U.S. However, this is not a symbiotic relationship both can transmit life-threatening diseases if not promptly removed from the host. A host serves two purposes: a consistent food source and a temporary home. While there are key differences, fleas and ticks are both parasites that suck blood from both animals and people. Fleas and Ticks: Nuisances That Carry Disease Whether flea-or-tick season has started in your state or otherwise, you can keep your dog safe with some preventative measures. Regardless of the climate where you live, it’s important to learn when your pets are most at risk. As the climate is warming and seasons shift, these parasites are appearing even earlier than many dog owners had initially anticipated. Yet, many environmental factors can influence the intensity of fleas and ticks from year to year. ![]() Once temperatures drop, usually below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, these parasites become less active and less of a threat. Fleas and ticks thrive in warm weather, which, in many states, starts around springtime.
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