Flea poop is commonly called flea dirt. It appears as small, dark, pepper-like specks in a pet's fur, which are actually composed of dry, undigested blood. When moistened, this debris turns a reddish-brown or orange color, a key indicator used to confirm an active flea infestation.
Good news - we'll give you a full run down on how to get rid of them, and keep them away for good! These little black specks in your pet's fur are most likely flea dirt! Which is a not-so-lovely combination of flea droppings and leftovers from a blood meal.
You can completely eliminate a flea infestation at a specific point in time, but fleas can always find their way back if your pet is unprotected. With consistent treatment, proper cleaning, and preventative care, you can keep your home flea-free and stop minor issues from turning into full-blown infestations.
Flea dirt won't magically disappear on its own, nor will the fleas that cause it. So, it's important to take action if you find fleas or their feces on your pet.
Use flea sprays to kill fleas at all life stages, like the Itch Flea House Spray for Homes which kills all fleas in your environment for up to 2 months, after just one blast. Treat your garden. If your pet spends time outdoors, fleas could be lurking there too.
Next up, hop in the shower. Fleas can bite humans, but they don't tend to “live” on us like they do on animals. Click here to see a flea bite picture on human. A good rinse with soap and shampoo will wash off any fleas that might have tried their luck.
The tough body is able to withstand great pressure, likely an adaptation to survive attempts to eliminate them by mashing or scratching. Even hard squeezing between the fingers is normally insufficient to kill a flea.
While fleas and ticks can survive in various conditions, they thrive in warm and humid weather. For most regions, late spring through early fall is their prime season. During these months, pets spending time outdoors are more likely to encounter these pests in grass, wooded areas, or even your backyard.
They can wait patiently for weeks, even months, especially in cooler temperatures, for the right triggers (like vibrations from footsteps or warmth) to emerge as mature fleas. Given these stages and environmental conditions, fleas can survive in your carpet anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months.
What is the white stuff that comes out of fleas when you pop them?
Flea eggs are tiny, white, and oval-shaped—often resembling grains of rice. In contrast, flea dirt (which is flea faeces) is darker, crumbly, and made up of digested blood.
