Sand Fleas Scourge In A Home
Sand fleas are difficult to get rid of. There are several types of sand fleas. The most abundant sand flea is the Chigoe. This flea is the smallest known flea, only about one millimeter long. It is sometimes called a jigger flea and lives in dry soil or sand — especially along beaches.
The Sand Flea
The sand flea is a parasitic arthropod found in tropical and subtropical climates. Breeding female sand fleas burrow into exposed warm-blooded animal skin and lay eggs, causing intense irritation. The resulting skin lesion is a five to ten mm white spot with a central black dot which is the flea's exposed hind legs. These look nothing like a bed bug rash, and should not be confused with it. If the flea is left in the skin, infection or other dangerous complications may arise.
The Sand Flea's Feeding
The sand flea feeds upon:
- Humans
- Cattle
- Sheep
- Cats
- Dogs
- Mice
- Rats
and most other warm-blooded animals unlike bed mites which feed on dead skin.
The Reproduction Of The Sand Flea
1. In order to reproduce, the female flea burrows head-first into the animals' skin, leaving the end of its stomach visible through the host's skin lesion.
2. This lesion allows the flea to breathe while feeding on blood. In the next two weeks, this sand flea releases about one-hundred eggs which fall to the ground.
3. When finished laying eggs, the sand flea dies and is sloughed off by the animal along with dead skin.
4. In about three to four days, the eggs hatch and grow into adult sand fleas within the next thirty days.
Most types of sand fleas are poor jumpers and can only reach a height of around an inch. The use of closed toe shoes is an effective way of preventing attack while on a beach or walking along a dusty trail.
Getting Rid Of Sand Fleas In Your Home
Sand fleas will sometimes invade your home during dry weather. In order to get rid of the flea infestation in selected areas of your home, one must buy a spray pesticide that is safe for your home. You must generously spray your mattresses and any furniture in which the sand fleas may be hiding. Do this every few days until you are sure they have departed or have been killed.
Seven Dust
One well known sand flea powder is Seven Dust. This is available in most hardware type of stores and at large discount retailers like Walmart. It is safe for use around gardens, animals, and humans. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), a group which reports to the Environmental Protection Agency, has approved the use of this sand flea pesticide.
1. Sprinkle Seven Dust over your dog and make sure you cover the entire animal. Do this daily until the sand fleas disappear.
2. Scatter Seven Dust generously over the entire area in the yard that your pets comes in contact with. Focus on any areas that consist of sand or dry dirt.
3. Shake Seven Dust over all carpeted areas. Let it stand for a minimum of six hours and then vacuum thoroughly.
The sand fleas lay their eggs in carpets, so it is very important to vacuum every day while using Seven Dust. Apply the dust again and again as necessary. This treatment usually takes care of the problem with the first application, but repeat it if you did not get rid of the sand flies. Sprinkle outside this area periodically to ensure that the fleas do not return.
