Rat Typhus And Other Disease Spread by Fleas
The Texas Health and Human Service web page goes into detail about Murine Typhus, which is a fleaborne version of Typhus that is spread by flea on rats.
Typhus has an amazing history. It is what stopped both of Napoleon’s armies. That version of typhus was caused by body lice and it killed off more soldiers than the wars did. The typhus around Texas was thought to be rare, but is making an appearance again. It comes from flea bites and the disease is similar in many ways to rickets.
Pathogens use another creature (vector) to find a host. Malaria uses mosquitoes, and rat typhus uses rats and fleas. While rat typhus is rare, fleas are known to spread other diseases such as bubonic plague, cat scratch disease, and other illnesses. Flea bites are also prone to secondary infections because they itch.
How to Control Flea Borne Disease
The best thing to do is to control rodent populations. However, rodents are only the primary source of flea infestations. In the spring, fleas emerge from underground where they have bred all winter long. That huge explosion of fleas poses a danger.
We See Only Five Percent of the Total Flea Population
Flea outbreaks in your home are only part of the problem. We see the adult fleas, but we do not see the eggs, larvae, or pupa. When you notice adult fleas, you only see a very small percentage of the fleas in your home. The adult population of fleas represents only five percent of all the fleas in your home or around your yard. The rest are eggs, larvae, and pupa. Pupa will soon hatch into adult fleas and feed. Larvae will pupate and then become adults. Eggs hatch into larvae. That is the flea life cycle.
To control flea populations, you need a long-term strategy, and that has to include control of fleas outdoors. That strategy starts with good rodent control. It should include flea control for your pets and a treatment program that helps to rid your yard of fleas as they overwinter.
If you have a flea problem or you want to address fleas in your yard, give us a call. We specialize in pest removal throughout the Brazos Valley.
