Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug science, "experiments," etc.
Flea droppings table top science.....
(10 posts)-
spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,614
Posted 7 months ago
Tue Aug 4 2009 22:39:37
#
Login to Send PM
The next post will be full of pic links and may get caught in the spam filter.
Testing definite flea droppings to demo ID.
Jim
-
spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,614
Posted 7 months ago
Tue Aug 4 2009 23:03:04
#
Login to Send PM
Took a flea comb and got some fleas and flea dirt off the neighborhood feral cats. Boiled the bag to kill everything.
Note the size of the objects embedded in the cat fur.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas003.jpg
Close up the left blob is definite flea dirt.....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas011.jpg
Tossed the fur clump on a paper towel and wet it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas013.jpg
It didn't take but a few minutes for the dirt to run semi reddish.....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas015.jpg
This is mostly flea dirt and appears like "black pepper"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas017.jpg
Running more.....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas020.jpg
Best close up shot of a big blood ball....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas022.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas023.jpg
Big blood ball melting on a Q-tip.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas025.jpg
More of the paper towel dissolved blood.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas028.jpg
As you can see the "pepper flakes" could very well be flea droppings and easily can be tested to confirm if they are flea processed blood.
The cat flea is the most common flea but there are many more ranging in size up to 3 mm and would leave a significantly larger dropping than these from some 1.5 mm cat fleas.
Read up on the human flea.... Interesting observation....
Fleas most often bite people about the legs and ankles, and there are usually 2 or 3 bites in a row.
Sound familiar?http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th5a.htm
It would be nice if someone with real good gear and a stray cat could recreate this in better detail.
Jim
-
Adele
senior member
Joined: May '08
Posts: 634
Posted 7 months ago
Tue Aug 4 2009 23:44:43
#
Login to Send PM
Jim - lovely delightful pictures - but you are such a good sport
we are lucky to have you here
and I must say - you are probably quite the conversationalist at a party!
-
spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,614
Posted 7 months ago
Wed Aug 5 2009 1:21:47
#
Login to Send PM
Adele - 1 hour ago »
Jim - lovely delightful pictures - but you are such a good sport
we are lucky to have you here
and I must say - you are probably quite the conversationalist at a party!I'm a wannabe mad scientist. Muahahahahahaah!
Jim
-
paulaw0919
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,034
Posted 7 months ago
Wed Aug 5 2009 9:33:19
#
Login to Send PM
Wow Jim. This is Fantastic info for people searching and finding "Lord knows what" during their infestations. I wish I had this info two years ago. It is great that you have taken the time to do this. Fantastic work Jim. :-)
-
junior member
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 74
Posted 6 months ago
Sun Sep 13 2009 1:54:30
#
Login to Send PM
Oh, I would so much rather have fleas than bb's.
-
MyWorstFear
member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 324
Posted 6 months ago
Sun Sep 13 2009 16:36:32
#
Login to Send PM
Jim, I think we should put those pictures in the FAQ's so they don't get lost in all the posts.
Thank you for the in depth study. Only negative thing is that now I'm pretty sure I do not
want the dog I've been wanting for the past few months anymore! <gg> -
your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 6,173
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Sep 14 2009 12:21:41
#
Login to Send PM
Jim,
Can we make these into a FAQ?
-
spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,614
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Sep 14 2009 12:37:23
#
Login to Send PM
Go right ahead. It would be nice if one of our resident entomologist or other real expert can review the stuff and review the commentary for accuracy.
Didn't test the feces with peroxide but the cats are still around so someday.
Jim
-
your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 6,173
Posted 6 months ago
Mon Sep 14 2009 13:20:48
#
Login to Send PM
Good idea. Entos?
Reply
You must log in to post.
