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Fleas and ticks are the most important external
parasites of pets, livestock and humans. Both fleas and
ticks are very abundant, have irritating bites and can
transmit disease. Fleas can transmit tapeworms. Ticks
can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted
fever and relapsing fever. Lyme disease is transmitted
in the Northern United States by the deer tick and in the
Southern United States by the black legged, Gulf coast,
American dog, lone star and relapsing fever tick. Lone
star and American dog ticks can cause tick paralysis.
Cat Flea, Ctenocephalides felis. The cat flea is the
most important flea species in the United States and
attacks both cats and dogs. Adults are 1/16'' long and are
usually found on the host. The flea inserts its mouth
parts in the skin, injects saliva and sucks blood. The
bite leaves a red spot on the skin. The saliva is irritating
to the host, causing dermatitis and hair loss in allergic
animals.
American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, This tick is one of the most
prevalent tick pests in the Eastern United States. Adults
are about 1/4'' long, and the shield has variable white
markings. The larvae and nymphs prefer to feed on
mice. Adults prefers dogs and other large animals. |
