Latin: Ceratophyllus gallinae
Hen fleas (Ceratophyllus gallinae) are a special type of flea that attack birds and suck their blood. The hen flea is often confused with the cat flea, as they carry many of the same characteristics. However, hen fleas only feed on birds, but in some cases can attack humans if there are no bird hosts to live on. But the pleasure is short-lived. The hen flea can neither live nor multiply on humans or in their homes.
Appearance
An adult hen flea grows to about 3 millimeters long. Its body shape is flattened, and the color is dark brown. The hen flea has three pairs of legs. The rear set of legs has a special function as they are spring legs. And with the help of them, the hen flea can make a jump of up to 30 centimeters in one jump.
Biology and behavior
It is not only the bird that lays its eggs in its nest. The hen flea also lays its eggs in the bird’s nesting material, where they are laid loosely around. The larva can live alone and develop in bird nests. When the larva hatches, it feeds on the materials found in the nest, such as the excrement of the adult fleas, which consists of undigested blood from birds.
Once the larva has undergone its development, it spins a cocoon. In the cocoon, the larva undergoes its full transformation into a full-grown and sexually mature hen flea. A single bird’s nest can accommodate hundreds of cocoons with future generations of hen fleas.
Under normal circumstances, the fleas break out of their cocoon in the month of April when the warmer temperatures occur. The appearance of hen fleas can also be stimulated by vibrations that occur, when the bird lands or moves around in the nest.
If the birds leave the nest, no more than a few days pass before the hen fleas follows. Usually they move upwards, where they settle down facing the light, where they sit ready to jump on a new host. When the flea sees a bird try to fly past, the jump is triggered. If the flea is lucky, it lands on the bird. If not, it falls to the ground. Here it will instead look for another host, such as a passing human or animal. This way you can bring the hen fleas into the house. They can also enter on their own through windows and ventilation ducts. However, the dry air that we have indoors means that they will die after 1-2 weeks.
Damage
The hen fleas are first and foremost a nuisance to the birds. But sometimes, as described, they can also attack humans and pets. If you move near nesting boxes or abandoned bird nests, the risk of plundering the fleas is greatest. And it can be an itchy and annoying acquaintance to make.
Prevention and pest control
It is easy for the flea to jump from or bird’s nest to a human. Therefore, you should also be careful when cleaning bird boxes, as these can abound with small bird fleas. It is recommended that you only clean the nest boxes outdoors and otherwise only do this during the winter months, when the animals are not active. In addition, discarded nesting material should be buried or burned.
Hen fleas can penetrate the habitat in several different ways. Among other things, through bird nests that sit under the roof, through draft ducts and similar areas. Household pets can also be the cause of an outbreak of hen fleas. Therefore, you must be careful if you keep chickens in the garden, and where you may inadvertently bring the fleas into the house. It may be difficult to find the hearth of the outbreak. Therefore, one should arm oneself with patience. The reason can also be as simple as that you pass the same abandoned nest on your way every day, and that the fleas jump on you on this occasion.
"Pests in House and Home"
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"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
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