Fleas are nasty little critters.

Their populations and grow rapidly if left unchecked. Adult female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day! That’s 600 eggs a month!

Adult fleas are slightly larger than a species of pepper, and one side of their body is flat. They are also fast. If you try to catch them, they will jump up quickly.

There are hundreds of species of fleas. The life cycle of fleas can vary from a few weeks to several months.

Fleas are parasites, adult fleas survive by feeding on the blood of other animals. In your home, dogs, cats, and other household pets will host fleas. Fleas will bite your pets, children, and even you and feed on your blood.

How do you know if your pet has fleas?

Fleas love warm environments. In my experience, fleas like to hang around the butt of dogs, right on the skin of the thighs of dogs and by the anus of dogs. If you see your dog licking and nibbling in this region, you should do an inspection. Look for fleas on the fur. Remember that fleas are very fast and will jump when they think you detect them. While conducting the inspection, if you come across what looks like black pepper, it is likely flea feces.

I have found that when I scratch my dog’s back, where it itches, to the point where my dog’s hind leg starts to move, the fleas will come out on their own.

Another thing you can do is bathe your dog. Shampoo starting at the dogs neck and work your way down. If your dog has fleas, you will see the fleas in the bath water.

A comprehensive test way to find out if your dog or cat has fleas is to use a flea comb. Several times a week take out the comb and use it on your dog or cat. The fine teeth of the flea comb will expose the fleas.