Billions of super-fleas are about to invade UK homes, experts have warned.
The recent hot and humid weather, with lots of thunderstorms, has created ideal breeding conditions for the insects.
The males, known as ‘super-fleas’, have penises 2.5 times the length of their body.
They are becoming increasingly resistant to insecticides and are causing havoc for humans, as well as pets.
Pet owners across the UK are being warned that a huge infestation of fleas could soon be heading their way. The influx is being caused by rising temperatures that provide the ideal breeding ground for fleas
Ged Cranny, store manager at Pets at Home in Weymouth, Dorset, said there could be a mass flea invasion this summer unless people take precautions.
Pet owners should check their home, as well as their dog or cat, for a flea infestation.
He said fleas can live within bedding as well as soft furnishings used by the whole family.
He advised all pet owners to wash pet bedding regularly at 60 degrees, clean furniture, hoover carpet and throw away the vacuum cleaner dustbag after each clean.
He also says people should check their pet’s coat for ‘flea dirt’, which appears as brown or black spots.
Nigel Binns, a pest control expert from Basis Prompt, said: ‘The activity and behaviour of fleas is often very much dependent on the climate.
‘Mild temperatures during the winter means that fewer than usual will have been killed off and, as they thrive in a warm and humid environment, they’re likely to be present in greater numbers than usual during the next few weeks.
‘The population of fleas seems to have grown rapidly in recent years, but the risk of an infestation could be bigger than ever this summer.’
Fleas are known for their painful and itchy bites, and are usually carried into homes by cats and dogs, who can catch the pests from wildlife rodents, such as rats and foxes.
Nigel Binns, a pest control expert from Basis Prompt, says that the key thing to look out for is your pet itching. He said: ‘That can be confirmed, in cats or dogs with light-coloured coats, by brushing back their hair and finding either fleas or droppings’ (stock image)
Once in the home, the creatures can easily hop around on furniture, carpets and rugs, where the females can lay up to 50 eggs every day.
And in warm and humid conditions, these eggs take just a few days to hatch.
Mr Binns says that the key thing to look out for is your pet itching.
He said: ‘That can be confirmed, in cats or dogs with light-coloured coats, by brushing back their hair and finding either fleas or droppings.
‘In dark-coated breeds, it may be better to comb the animal over a light coloured bed-sheet or towel to highlight any fleas or their droppings as they fall.
‘The identity of the black specks may be confirmed by adding a few drops of water. If they turn red, your pet has fleas.
‘Bite marks on you or members of the family, usually around ankles or legs, often leave small red spots which are itchy.
‘And, if you do have fleas in your home, you may even see them jumping on your carpet or furniture.’
If your home does become infested with fleas, Mr Binns recommends thoroughly cleaning all bedding and furniture, as well as floors and skirting boards.
Over the years, fleas have become resistant to many older insecticides.
However, modern chemical treatments should still be very effective, experts say.
Binns added: ‘Fleas found on pets are usually only a small part of a bigger issue, as the vast majority of any flea infestation is probably living in the house.
‘Anyone treating their pet must be sure to treat their home thoroughly at the same time or the problem is highly likely to return.’
Fleas are known for their extraordinarily generous manhoods.
The small arthropods are in possession of a 3.3mm (0.12 inches) penis, which may not sound like much, but is almost 2.5 times the length of their entire body.
On an average human, that would result in a four-metre (13ft) member.
Fleas hold the record for the biggest penis of any insect, but are not the record-holders for the entire animal kingdom.
That honour goes to the barnacle, which has a penis that measures eight times its own body length, which would work out at 14 metres (45ft) on an average human.
Fleas keep their lengthy genitals coiled up inside their abdomen.
The penis itself is so thin and wispy that it requires a series of extra structures, dubbed penis rods, to support it during mating.