The sticktight flea is an occasional pest of dogs and cats, as well as of chickens and other birds.
The sticktight flea is an occasional pest of dogs and cats, as well as of chickens and other birds. Poultry sometimes have clusters of these fleas around the eyes, comb, wattles, and other bare spots (Figure 1). These dark-brown fleas have their heads embedded in the host's flesh and cannot be brushed off. Sticktight fleas are commonly a problem on dogs, which have contact with barnyard fowl The sticktight fleas or the echidnophaga gallinacean are popularly known as hen fleas. However, they do not just infest poultry; they are also seen on cats, dogs, people, horses, rodents, rabbits etc. Recently, a sticktight flea was found embedded in the cheek of a 2 year old kid from western part of USA. Echidnophaga gallinacean bites and effects. Worldwide, the sticktight fleas are known to affect mainly the poultry. However, it is not uncommon to see dogs infested by it. The fleas attach themselves to the hairless parts of the animal’s body such as areas around the eyes, anus, etc. Vacuums remove eggs, larvae, adults, and flea dirt, but not pupae, which stick to the carpet fibers. Steam cleaners are usually more effective. Borax and boric acid can be used on carpet, but may eventually cause damage to carpet fabric or upholstery.  The Stick Tight Flea (Echidnophaga gallinacean), also known as the ‘stickfast’ flea, is normally found infesting a range of poultry species. They are not too fussy about who their hosts are and will happily attach to the fleecy skin areas of dogs, cats, people, horses and various other animals. Dead stick tight fleas need to be scraped from the skin of the host to remove them. The Stick Tight Flea found on Pork at a local Butchery. The stick tight fleas remaining on their host after its death is precisely what happened in the case of the local butchery who reported the infestation. Dr. Nichol: Ah, the dreaded Echidnophaga gallinacea-the stick tight flea. These nasty little creatures burrow into the skin (usually facial area) where they lay their eggs, which drop into the environment. They are a nuisance to Demetrious, so I say we kill them all. They look similar to the other species, but like any self-respecting flea, they’re really not that fussy. A chicken, a cat, a dog, a person-hey a blood meal is a blood meal-like fast food. Presumably, pets get stick tight fleas by hanging out with fowl, but I am personally acquainted with some who have never met a bird. Question: My cat, Demetrious, has had a flea problem. I’m told these are “stick tights”. They are very tiny and cluster around the sides of his mouth and on his ears, and around the corners of his eyes, (sometimes his nose too). They look similar to the other species, but like any self-respecting flea, they’re really not that fussy. A chicken, a cat, a dog, a person-hey a blood meal is a blood meal-like fast food. Presumably, pets get stick tight fleas by hanging out with fowl, but I am personally acquainted with some who have never met a bird. By: rayday61. Posted 2/17/12 • Last updated 9/24/13 • 20,114 views • 18 comments. Poultry fleas, also known as stick tight fleas due to their ability to attach themselves to a host and not let go, can be a danger to your flock as well as your domestic pets. At this point you have already had the problem for a while. The hatch time for these fleas is a couple weeks, so you will not be able to rid the coop of them with one treatment. There are some sites that recommend destroying the entire flock and sterilizing the coop area.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg236 http://www.fleabites.net/sticktight-fleas-echidnophaga-gallinacea-bites/ http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/families_and_consumers/getting_rid_of_fleas.shtml http://www.rentokil.co.za/blog/stick-tight-flea/ http://www.drjeffnichol.com/?p=2686 http://www.drjeffnichol.com/?p=2686 http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/a-cure-for-stick-tight-fleas
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