Floh

Floh is the German term for flea, a small, flightless insect that parasitizes mammals and birds. Fleas are ectoparasites with laterally flattened bodies, powerful hind legs for jumping, and mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and drawing blood.

Fleas belong to the order Siphonaptera and comprise thousands of species in several families, including Pulicidae. Common examples in domestic settings are the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) and the dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis), while the human flea (Pulex irritans) and the rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) are also widespread. Some fleas are notable as disease vectors, such as Xenopsylla cheopis, which transmits Yersinia pestis, the agent of plague, and can also carry rickettsial pathogens like Rickettsia typhi.

Life cycle and ecology: Fleas undergo complete metamorphosis, with egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Eggs are laid on the host or in the host’s environment; larvae feed on organic debris, including flea feces. Pupae develop in cocoons and can remain dormant for weeks to months, emerging as adults when a host is nearby. Development is influenced by temperature, humidity, and host density. Adults feed on blood and can survive several weeks to months off the host if conditions permit.

Impact and control: Fleas can cause itching and allergic dermatitis in animals and nuisance bites in humans. They can also transmit tapeworms to pets. Integrated control combines regular environmental cleaning, vacuuming, and veterinary-approved treatments for pets with targeted indoor residual sprays or growth regulators to disrupt the flea life cycle.