puces

Puces, also known as fleas, are small wingless insects that parasitize mammals and birds. They belong to the order Siphonaptera and are obligate ectoparasites, feeding solely on blood. Fleas are adept jumpers and are found worldwide, often in nests or bedding when not on a host. They can transmit pathogens and cause disease in animals and humans.

Fleas have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs are laid on hosts or in the environment; larvae feed on organic debris, including flea feces. Pupae develop in cocoons and can persist for weeks or months until heat, carbon dioxide, or vibrations signal a host. Adults emerge, seek blood, and reproduce.

Adults are small, laterally flattened, wingless insects with strong hind legs for jumping and piercing-sucking mouthparts. Colors range from light brown to dark. Some genera have comb-like structures used for identification, notably Ctenocephalides felis, the common domestic flea on cats and dogs.

Fleas can cause itching and dermatitis and are vectors for pathogens and parasites. Notable diseases include plague (Yersinia pestis) and murine typhus (Rickettsia typhi); they also transmit Dipylidium caninum when dogs or cats ingest infected fleas. Heavy infestations can cause anemia; flea allergy dermatitis is common in pets.

Control relies on integrated management: treat pets with veterinary products and reduce environmental reservoirs through cleaning, washing bedding, and vacuuming. On-pet products such as fipronil, imidacloprid, or selamectin help reduce fleas, often with periodic reapplication to prevent reinfestation.