Feizabadi, Mansoureh asked 8 years ago
Hello. First of all thank you for very useful information on your site.
I have a problem with fleas and really need your advices.
The story… about a week ago, during three consecutive night one or two places of my skin was bitted. since we live in an apartment and don’t have any pets, birds or etc i was really confused till i found a insect on my arm by chance. unfortunatly it was a flea. we are a family of three person but only i have been bited and it was for only three days and with only three or four times(about 10 bit sign on my body)
since three days ago i have washed all blankets with hot water(90C), vacuumed rooms carpets and furnitures, used steam cleaner. also i used Cypermethrin powder against walls and corner round the house.
i have not been bited more but im really anxious, what can i do more? is there eggs at home or not? is it nessassary to spray special chemicals all over the house?
Regards,
Feizabadi
Adam Retzer Staff answered 8 years ago
It’s strange you had fleas in your home without pets. A flea infestation can’t continue in the home without animals. Are you sure it was a flea and not a bed bug? Do you have a picture?
It sounds like you’ve taken all the correct steps (if it’s fleas). It would be advisable to continue vacuuming regularly. It’s probably not necessary to spray chemicals all over the house. Wait a few weeks and see if the problem is resolved. If not, it may be time to take more drastic measures.
M.Feizabadi
replied 8 years ago thank you for your answer.
unfortunately i do’nt have a picture, because we get it to a vet clinic and the lab answer was as follow:
“parasitic exam: ectoparasite sample was received and keratin cleard with KOH. according to the feature of the flea, pulex irritans was diagnosed. this flea has named human flee.
diagnosis: pulex irritants(female)”
i think it is good to mention this note that i put the insect in a plastic bag and fastened it tightly, during the time some very small things was created in the bag, they was red at the first snd then turn to brown or black. as i read maybe they were its dirt.
im vacuuming every day, spread salt on carpets and furniture, use flea trap(water and dish soap and lamp).
i have not bitted during last 6 days, but i steel reaaly worry about eggs and what will happen…
Adam RetzerAh, it was Pulex irritans. This website is focused on C. felis (the cat flea), which is the predominant species found on pets and in homes. Unfortunately, I don’t know as much about the human flea, because it is fairly rare.
You may want to do further research on P. irritans elsewhere, as there isn’t much information on FleaScience. However, I do know that vacuuming is going to be an important part of control, regardless of species. Also, washing your bedding a couple times a week is probably a good idea.
I’m not sure if human fleas can survive and reproduce on human blood. I think they may. And I am not sure about all the areas where this species lives and breeds within the home. I know carpeting is the most common place where immature stages live. However, I think they’re also found in bedding and clothes more frequently than other species (dog and cat fleas).
Sorry, I couldn’t help more. I hope the problem gets resolved.
