Fleas, ticks and mites.

Abstract This book chapter discusses fleas, ticks, and mites. Fleas are insects with six legs, three body regions, and antennae on the head; whereas ticks and mites are arachnids with eight legs in the adult stage, two body regions, and lack antennae. All three groups are important transmitters of disease and are difficult to control. Flea control is most commonly accomplished with oral or topical applications of drugs or insecticides to pets as prescribed by veterinarians. These applications control fleas by either contact with the host or ingestion of blood containing a toxicant. Pest control technicians often control fleas with residual sprays containing a mixture of insecticides and insect growth regulators. Pest control technicians usually treat the insides of houses and yards around houses focusing on the edges of woods, lawns, and borders adjacent to known tick habitats. Ticks are prevented with protective clothing, personal repellents, and acaricides applied to infested habitats. Most mites in urban areas are parasites associated with rodents, birds, or humans: chiggers, stored food mites and house dust mites. The complete life cycle can occur in as little as 2 to 3 weeks, and huge populations can occur rapidly.