Can You Really Catch Plague from Fleas?

Yes, fleas transmit plague – and that’s not all!

Plague might seem like a word you’ll only hear about in history books, but we have a potentially shocking truth. Plague is not just something you read about once. It’s not a thing of the past. Plague still happens – and yep, fleas can transmit it to humans.

The Flea-Plague Connection: How Do Fleas Contract Plague?

The bacterium Yersinia pestis, which causes plague, is primarily flea-borne. Fleas are ectoparasites, feeding on the blood of wild animals, pets, livestock, and humans. When they feed on rodents, it is possible for them to pick up plague bacteria and pass it on to their next target – be that another wild animal, your pet, or a human family member.

Plague cases are extremely rare in the United States but make no mistake – they do occur. Rural areas are typically where infections happen, due to the potential for bigger rodent populations. While Missouri isn’t considered a plague hot spot, travelers or pets coming from affected regions could unwittingly bring the risk closer to home.

What kinds of plague still exist today?

• Bubonic plague – the most common form, usually affects the lymph nodes.
• Septicemic plague – can occur without lymph node involvement and affects the bloodstream with the potential to cause organ damage. This form of plague can be fatal.
• Pneumonic plague – the most fatal form of plague; not only affects the lungs and must be treated quickly, but it can also be passed from person to person.

What Else Can Fleas Spread?

Unfortunately, plague is only one of the diseases that fleas can transmit. These teeny-tiny terrors can transmit several other illnesses that put both people and their beloved pets at risk.

• Murine typhus – can cause fever, chills, body aches, and rash. It’s contracted when flea feces gets into broken skin, usually caused by scratching itchy flea bites.
• Cat scratch fever – spread by fleas to humans from infected cats.
• Flea-borne spotted fever – can cause fever, muscle pain, and rash in humans.
• Tapeworms – can happen when pets accidentally swallow an infected flea (or infected fleas) while grooming.

We Offer Flea Control that Really Works!

Preventing flea-borne illness starts with controlling and deterring fleas. At Mosquito Squad of Greater St. Louis, we offer professional flea pest control solutions, targeting fleas where they live and breed – and at every life stage from egg to adult.

Through our Battier Treatment Plus outdoor pest control service, our highly trained technicians apply barrier treatment to help reduce flea populations around your property. They will home in specifically on potential flea habitats like shaded areas, tall grass, mulch beds, and pet hangouts to eliminate the threat at its source.

Search for flea pest control and call Mosquito Squad!

Don’t suffer fleas or other outdoor pests in your yard . Mosquito Squad offers highly effective mosquito, tick, and flea pest control near me in the Greater St. Louis area. To schedule a free pest assessment and quote, get in touch with Mosquito Squad of Greater St. Louis by calling (314) 582-3980 or filling out our form here .

Also read: Looking for Kid Friendly Mosquito Control ?