Flea ‘plague’ may be on the way

Break out the flea powder: New Zealand looks set to have a plague this summer.

Bayer New Zealand vet Dr Kirstie Inglis has warned a mild winter and a forecast long hot summer will create perfect conditions for a massive flea outbreak this year.

If left unchecked, flea infestations could harm people, as well as pets, she said.

In rare cases there may be more serious repercussions such as bacterial infections or transmission of flea tapeworm.

Excessive scratching, nibbling or grooming could lead to bald spots.

Heavy infestations can produce life threatening anaemia in small kittens and puppies.

Flea saliva can also trigger severe allergic reactions in some animals.

Females lay up to 50 eggs per day, which then hatch into larvae that crawl into dark spaces, where they develop in cocoons.

New adult fleas can take up to six months to leave their cocoons, so can spend a winter cycle indoors.

Inglis said flea populations boom when the weather favours a shortening of this life cycle. Temperatures of between 21 degrees Celsius and 30C, and 70 per cent humidity can see the cycle shorten to just 12 days – rapidly building up an infestation thirsty for blood.