Cat fleas are 3mm long wingless ticks, flattened from side to side with long legs enabling them to jump. They have both genal and pronotal combs (ctenidia), differentiating them from most other fleas of domestic animals.

Cat fleas are often unable to determine whether a host is suitable until it has been bitten. If it is deemed unsuitable, the flea soon drops off.

Cat fleas nest where the host is in its usual resting place, for example the cat basket. This is where the young often drop to mature.

Cat fleas pass through four stages of development: eggs, larva, pupa, adult. The eggs are small and white. These stages combined vary from two weeks to eight months. The adult flea is awakened by the detection of vibration of pet or human movement, pressure, heat, noise, or carbon dioxide for potential blood meals. A cat flea cannot complete its life–cycle feeding only on human blood.

Adult dog fleas are 1 to 4 mm long. The legless larva is off–white and measures up to 5 mm long, The adult dog flea is brownish black in colour, but appear reddish–black after a blood meal.

Adult Dog fleas feed on the blood of dogs and cats, and they occasionally bite humans. It is a carrier of the Dog Tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum, which can also affect humans.

The body is laterally flattened, which allows it to move easily through an animal’s fur. Spines project backwards from the body of the flea, which help it to hold onto the host animal during grooming. As they can jump approximately 6 inches, they can move from host to host. They can also infest garden lawns.

The fleas go through a four–stage life cycle: eggs, larvae, pupae, adult. The larvae are longer than the adults and feed on particles of dry blood, excrement, and organic substances

Adult bird fleas are generally brownish in colour, and 1/32"-5/16" long. The eyes as well as the antennae are apparent. Their mouth-parts are well adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood and project downwards from the head.

Adult bird fleas live in bird nests. When the birds move from the nest, the adult fleas must find a new host. If the nest is reused, the pupae will hatch, mate and continue the breeding cycle. Bird fleas can multiply enormously in hen houses, breeders, batteries etc.

Bird fleas can only live for a short time indoors and only in nests. They breed during the nesting period when the host and/or young are available for regular blood meals.

Bird mites feed on birds blood. They prefer warm, moist conditions. Bird mites are commmon in birds nests and poultry houses.

Bird mites are capable of reducing bird egg–laying efficiency. In severe cases it may kill young, sick or old birds.

In homes, bird mites may bite people in search of food.

Egg to adult in 7 days (under favourable conditions). Adult lives approximately 90 days.

It is found on dogs, in kennels and houses, and occasionally on wildlife, but rarely on humans. In warm areas several generations of tick can be expected per year. The most common places for attachment on dogs are those areas the animal is unable to groom easily.

The dog tick is a 3–host tick, so must change host between the 3 stages of growth (larva, nymph and adult). They require only three blood meals to complete development; once at each growth stage.

The pigeon ticks feed at night and hide by day. They are commonly found in attics and rooms adjacent to areas where pigeons roost. Heavy infestations of these ticks can cause the death of the host pigeon.

The females feed at intervals, increasing their body weight by up to three times, then laying globular, dark brown shiny eggs in batches of 20 – 50. The larvae feed on the hosts for six to eleven days although the nymphs and adults only feed for up to 12 hours. Pigeons are the principal host but other bird species may also be fed upon. Humans may also be bitten.

Mites feed in the upper epidermis of skin. The mite is conveyed by contact and from infected clothing.

The Scabies Mite only lives for around 4-6 weeks. The mite goes through the following phases: egg, larva, nymph and adult. The female lays her eggs close to the skin and the young bore into the skin.