How a flea jumps

Flea - A small bloodsucking insect that lives in animal hair. Despite the size of the pest, in fact it is very dangerous to humans and animals, as it is a carrier of many diseases (encephalitis, hepatitis, typhoid or plague). The parasite is probably one of the most bouncing creatures in the world. Particularly striking is the flea jump technique, due to which, the pest is able to jump up to a height a distance several times larger than its size.

Special features

The parasite has a distinctive appearance, with the result that it can be easily distinguished from other insects. Its narrow side of the oblate body, covered with chitinous shell of black and brown hue. The pest has three pairs of limbs, the rear ones being the longest. It is thanks to these greatly increased and having strong muscles of the legs, the flea jumps very high.

Fleas

Parasite jump characteristics

It is also surprising how much a flea jumps. After all, the average size of the parasite is only 2-3 mm. However, a flea jump in height can reach up to 0.3 m, while the length of a bloodsucker can jump 0.18 m - a distance greater than its size by more than 100 times. The velocity of a flea at the beginning of a jump is no less impressive, and it is about 1.9 m / s.

Parasites especially use this method of moving in danger, making jumps so quickly that a person sometimes cannot even understand: fleas jump or crawl. This unique ability is also necessary for insects to search for prey.

Adult individuals living in open space, lay eggs not only in animal hair, but also on the ground itself.The offspring that has appeared over time is forced to make jumps, setting off in search of a warm-blooded host, the source of food. Since fleas jump very high and at high speed, they very quickly find a suitable object for themselves in the form of a human or animal.

Interesting!

According to American scientists, who studied the flea jump technique for quite a long time, at the moment of a push, an insect compresses its body identical to a spring. It allows you to do this elastic shield in the insect's chest. The role of the lever is performed by the legs of the parasite, with the help of which a sharp jump is made.

Flea jump

What to do if there are parasites in the house

Now, to the question of whether fleas jump, it is safe to say that they jump high enough. That is why flea control should start as soon as possible.

First of all, you need to establish the source of infection. Then process the room and animal living in the house. It is important to take into account how high the fleas jump, so the treatment of the walls should be done at the "to the waist" level.

Not only carpets or carpets, but also sofas, beds, and even soft toys are at risk.It is necessary to carry out wet cleaning regularly, using a wormwood decoction to clean the surfaces. Bed linen, blankets and bedspreads should be washed regularly and, if possible, heat treated.

Prevention is the main guarantor of protection against bloodsuckers. It is important not to allow your four-legged pets to communicate with stray animals, after visiting the street they should be carefully combed out and use collars for cats and dogs.