General
The Cat Flea is small at about 2mm long, reddish brown in colour and is flattened laterally which enables it to move amongst the hair of its vertebrate host. Distinctive features are the large jumping legs; the row of black non-sensory spines on the front margin of the head and on the rear of the first thoracic segment. These bristles or combs are a diagnostic of the Dog Flea. Eyes and antennae are apparent and the mouth parts, adapted for piercing and sucking, are seen projecting downwards from the head.

Significance
Eggs are laid in the cat’s fur, bedding, resting site and in areas where the cat is to be found. The cat and dog are the preferred host but cat fleas are capable of feeding on humans. It is an intermediate host for the cestode tape worm.

Control
Identify the host animal and treat it with a suitable veterinary product. Treatment should not be carried out by a pest control technician but by the owner of the animal or a veterinarian. A carbamate containing bendiocarb or a residual synthetic pyrethroid should be applied to areas frequented by the animal.