
Fleas are wingless insects whose mouthparts are adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood. Fleas are external parasites, living by hematophagy off the blood of mammals and birds. Fleas have become an increasing problem in domestic premises because of the increasing number of pets allowed to reside indoors. Additionally wall to wall carpeting, large items of furniture and central heating can provide a relatively undisturbed warm environment for flea larvae to develop.