What does a flea look like to the Human eye? Well, let’s keep this question aside for a while. First, you should clarify your senses that there are various kinds of insects, and you should not welcome them unless you have kept any of these fellas as pets. They transport their existence to various places; therefore, they are prone to carrying and spreading germs. Remember how our elders discourage the entrance of any of these crawling or flying creeps, including a house fly.
Insects associate themselves with the cause of a number of diseases or health problems, including eye infections, dengue fever, asthma, and skin irritation. Besides, insects provoke some advantageous scenarios as well, particularly for crops and controlling pests. Some folks out there purposefully keep insects.
However, now is the time to limit this discussion and move to our chief topic, which is the appearance of fleas to the human eye. We are briefing here about the introduction to fleas, their body parts, how they are different from bed bugs, and a few of the harms that they are capable of bringing.
You will also learn what happens when they come into sight under a microscope.
What Are Fleas in Actuality?
Simply put, fleas are very small insects that, according to a source, are parasites. This means they require hosts to live on or in. Usually, they are the external parasites of birds and mammals but not the humans. If you refer to its images online, they are reddish brown in color with an entirely oval-shaped body and multiple parts. Moreover, when you dig deeper into the scientific classification, then they lie in the Insecta class and Siphonaptera order.
Flea is a commonly known name for this order which also comprises 2500 flightless insects that are small in size. Furthermore, if you own pets, there is a possibility of fleas in your house. These insects survive by ingesting the blood of their hosts and comprise body structures that aid them in moving through the fur
and feathers of their hosts. The shapes of their mouthparts make it convenient for these insects to suck blood via piercing skin.
Also, the hind legs of fleas make their jumping process efficient. They also have historic significance, leading back to the Middle Jurassic and Cenozoic eras. Besides, they originated firstly on mammals and then moved to birds. Some of the flea species are also specific about their hosts, for instance, considering only one host for breeding on. However, there are various fleas that are not very selective in choosing the host.
Let us state a few examples, the fleas for armadillos are Malacopsyllidae, and the ones for elephant shrews are Chimaeropsyllidae.
How Can You Differentiate Fleas from Bed Bugs?
Fleas vs bed bugs is a matter of gigantic confusion, at least it was for us. Before proceeding, you should make this clear that both these insects are different, and more particularly, you need an answer to the question, ‘What does a flea look like to the human eye?’ They comprise different shapes and, somehow, different lifestyles. Bed bugs look more like seeds and seem more expanded in shape than fleas. The latter, however, is thinner and slightly smaller in size than the bed bugs.
These bugs range from 0.5 mm to 5 mm; nevertheless, the fleas have sizes from 0.5 mm to 3.3 mm. Bed bugs stay in cracks, box springs or bed frames and survive on your mattress’s piping, most probably. Fleas, as we said earlier, are parasites to your pets and also stay in the animals’ sleeping places. They can wander around your carpets and look for opportunities to jump on your animal in order to feed themselves.
Additionally, both these insects can bite humans; therefore, always look for signs on your skin. How do bites from a flea look like to the human eye? Well, for comparison, the bites of fleas will resemble the ones from mosquitoes; however, they will be in a cluster. The bites from bed bugs will seem like welts, i.e., red raised marks.
Now the Question Appears, ‘What Does a Flea Look Like to the Human Eye?
We already gave a few clues to your question, ‘What does a flea look like to the human eye?’ However, let’s elaborate on a little more. They will look significantly small, or we would like to say, unnoticeable. You might never know how many fleas are crawling on your floor, particularly when you are not giving a good look at them. Their size is in millimeters; therefore, you can guess how much value your eyes will give to this tiny length.
Maybe if your floor or the targeted surface is white or lighter in color, you might sense something creeping around, specifically, if they are more in number. Furthermore, their sighting is helpful if you look closely. Maybe then you can identify that they are not actually bed bugs or any other insects. Also, they will just appear dark; it is not effortless to determine whether they are reddish brown or not. If you carefully look at their shape, they will look quite skinny.
Although they are wingless, this aspect is hard to verify merely with human eyes. If you like to determine, ‘How does a flea look like to the human eye under a microscope?’, then keep reading.
How Does a Flea Look Like to the Human Eye Under a Microscope?
The color and size of fleas make it easier for them to hide in the fur or feathers of animals. However, in case you spot one, grab to settle on ‘how will a flea look like to the human eye’ under a microscope. Interestingly, its body parts will become more visible to you. You will perceive a small head along a big oval-shaped abdomen. Moreover, you will observe six legs, the back ones being longer than the rest. Some of you will also find its resemblance with shrimps or other deep ocean creatures because of the dangling of its legs.
However, this formation is for aiding fleas to propel through the air. Furthermore, these legs also help them to jump on the animals. You will relish the thinness of their body structure as well, which further saves them from entangling. Another fascinating fact that you will most probably discover under the microscope is the straw-shaped beak. This specific shape makes it convenient for fleas to sip the blood of the animals.
Also, when not in use, these insects keep their beaks between their legs and under their belly.
No Matter, ‘How Does a Flea Look Like to the Human Eye?’, It Is
Dangerous!
The most common issue that your pet will face because of fleas is flea bite dermatitis. This is an allergy type triggered by flea saliva. Moreover, it results in intense scratching. Your pet will find it hard to sit still and will continuously itch, breaking their skin and forming scabs. This will make it convenient for the infection to do its job. Moreover, any part of the pet’s body can become a victim of this sort of health
issue.
However, you should first examine your pet’s tail and back. You can also consult a veterinarian for the removal of these insects and effective medications. If your beloved pet ingests a flea or fleas, this can result in tapeworms. This is due to the presence of the latter inside fleas. The tapeworms then grow in the body of your pet and can extend to as long as 12 inches in length.
This further leads to weight loss and an irritated rear end. Most of the younger animals can suffer from flea bite anemia if their bodies have become the base for severe flea infestation. This can decrease the red blood cells in these innocent pets, requiring medical emergencies. Hence, it is highly essential for you to understand ‘what does a flea look like to the human eye?’.
Are Fleas Harmful to Humans?
Fleas do not consider humans as their hosts. However, the presence of animals in your house can lead to various human health issues. For instance, there is a possibility of cat scratch fever, typhus, and plague. Also, if flea bites have infected a person, they can experience extreme pain or redness. This requires serious attention from a doctor. Moreover, even if you do not keep any pets, the wandering of other animals, like rats, can also trigger the existence of fleas and the transmission of diseases at your place.
In order to rush towards a cure, you should comprehend beforehand the sort of disease you are suffering. For instance, in the case of flea-borne (murine) typhus, there are certain symptoms to look for, such as loss of appetite, cough, fever, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Another disease is Tungiasis, which causes painful and inflammatory skin conditions.
However, you should understand that sand fleas are the cause of Tungiasis, which are different types of fleas than what we are discussing in this topic. Also, there is cat scratch fever, which occurs because of cat bites or scratches. This is an infection by bacteria called Bartonella henselae.
What If a Flea Gets into Your Eye?
You should not get this close to the flea in order to lure it to jump into your eye. Just kidding! In case something like this happens, this means your eyeball is safe from flea penetration. These balls comprise a mucous membrane that acts like a firm case. However, you will surely feel some sort of irritation. Oftentimes, a flea remains stuck between your eyelid and eyeball or can lead to abrasion.
Anyhow, you should immediately hunt for a solution in order to avoid further complications, including infection. For the first 5 to 10 minutes, you should use clean water or saline solution to flush your eyes. You should base your prime mission at this point on the removal of the flea from your eye. Because you require their safety in order to learn ‘how does a flea look like to the human eye’.
Moreover, it will most probably work and soothe your eyes. Still, if you notice some kind of discharge from your eyes, particularly within the first 48 hours, it is time to consult a doctor, as this is a sign of a bacterial infection. Doctors usually prescribe eye drops.
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How Will You Know That Your Pets Have Fleas?
You cater to your pets with significant love, something that you do not offer to other animals or even human beings. Therefore, their well-being gradually becomes your priority. You keep an eye on their habits or lifestyle and instantly spot if something wrong is going on. If you desire to know whether any sort of pests are crawling on your pets or not, you need to start looking for them. Until now, you already know the answer to ‘How does a flea look like to the human eye’. Therefore, recognize if any of the
insects resemble aforementioned features.
You can run your fingers through your pet’s fur. Initiate from its belly and then move to the other parts. You will feel a slight texture or bumps if your pet has become a host to the fleas. Moreover, you can look for flea feces which are in the form of small black spots. Fleas usually poop the dried blood; therefore, the dark substance can become visible to you.
In order to make sure if it is actually the flea dirt or not, you can get help from a white piece of paper. Moreover, if you are not comfortable running your fingers, you can use a comb instead. As you are already familiar with ‘how does a flea look like to the human eye’, check your pet’s bedding. You will most likely find pupae, larvae, and eggs.
To protect your pets from fleas, you should check their bedding on a routine basis. Also, if it is possible, wash and dry their bedding with high heat. Also, make sure to regularly examine your pet’s body for flea bites. Notice any small red spots and observe your lovely pet’s scratching frequency.
Conclusion
Fleas are most likely visible in houses where there are pets. This is because fleas are parasites and demand hosts, like birds and mammals other than humans, to survive. They pierce the host’s skin via their beaks, sip blood, and even produce feces that comprise dried blood. What does a flea look like to the human eye? Well, very small, so to speak, not even easily visible. Maybe you are unaware of the fact that your house has become a crawling space for these tiny beings. However, in terms of ‘what actually does a flea look like to the human eye under a microscope’, you will notice its body parts like its head and abdomen.
In its entirety, it has an oval shape with a beak and back legs longer than the others. Furthermore, it is different than bed bugs, and a species of fleas hardly changes its host; making it very selective, perhaps. These insects are dangerous to both pets and human beings. The most commonly found issues are bites and irritation. However, pets can face anemia, too. In the case of humans, there are chances of fever and typhus.
You should immediately contact a doctor if fleas have caused any sort of health issues in your household. Take instant steps for the removal of these insects as well.