Cat Flea
Ctenocephalides felis
Tiny blood-feeding insect, 1-3mm long, dark reddish-brown, laterally compressed body (looks side-on). Powerful hind legs allow jumps of 30cm vertically — exceptional for its size. Adult females lay 20-30 eggs per day on the host, which drop off into carpets, bedding, and floor cracks. Eggs hatch in 2-14 days; larvae feed on adult flea faeces. The lifecycle can complete in 2 weeks or take 6 months depending on conditions. Bites cause intense itching and allergic dermatitis.
What to look for
Evidence around the property
Risk assessment
Plan a controlled response. These pests usually need targeted treatment before they spread.
Flea allergy dermatitis in pets (severe itching and self-trauma). Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) transmission to pets and occasionally children. Cat-scratch disease vector. In rare cases, murine typhus. Bites can become secondarily infected from scratching. Anaemia in puppies and kittens with heavy infestations.
Practical steps before treatment
Surface Disinfection & Sanitisation
Hospital-grade ULV fogging for move-in, post-illness, or outbreak response. 99.9% pathogen kill.
Need help with cat flea activity?
Book a professional inspection and get a fixed treatment recommendation from a certified Siva technician.