Fleas Survive 140 Gs?

[SFB]

Spurred by a FC thread on fleas, I remembered a National Geographic article but don't think fleas were mentioned being exposed to quite 140 g's, which sounds really high.

I find this quite amazing ....... and wonder if anyone cares to further comment.


http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/fleas/cat/anatomy.html:

"The [flea's] exoskeleton is waterproof, shock resistant and able to survive high pressure at a 140 g's (gravity=10m/sec/sec)."

http://www.mahahounds.org/flea.htm:

"More than 2,000 flea species are currently recognized. The majority of these board their host by hopping about and hooking on when contact is made. These species are champion vaulters. For a tiny flea with short little hairy legs to jump upon a passing animal the size of a dog or cat requires incredible acceleration. These fleas lift off at 140 times the force of gravity, which is amazing when you consider that we humans experience discomfort when we exceed 6 G’s. Furthermore, if the flea fails to land its tumbling flight by hooking unto its victim, it will continue to jump, up to 600 times an hour, for up to three consecutive days if necessary."

No wonder they're such buggers to kill!

 

[Rolfe]

Plenty effective chemical warfare available. On prescription. You know, cos we allopaths are just out for all the money we can squeeze out of the punters you know. Bwahaha!

Rolfe.

 

[fishbob]

These fleas lift off at 140 times the force of gravity, which is amazing when you consider that we humans experience discomfort when we exceed 6 G’s.

Many of us humans experience discomfort when we exceed 1 G. We are G force wimps.

 

[LucyR]

"These fleas lift off at 140 times the force of gravity, which is amazing when you consider that we humans experience discomfort when we exceed 6 G’s."

[/B]

On the other hand, a flea with a mass comparable to our own would not only not be able to move, but would probably die almost immediately.

I think these sort of comparisons are inappropriate and not particularly useful.

 

[RSLancastr]

140 g's? Wow.

Good thing they aren't very organized. Seems like if they all got together and jumped at the same time, the world would tilt on its axis.

 

[TillEulenspiegel]

Actually............................

Go to your local pool store and purchase a 50Lb. bag of DE "Diatomatious Earth". Costs me about $8 US spread it on your lawn and after a few days V-ola! no fleas. It is natural, non-toxic, and effective. The method of action is that the skeletal remains of Diatoms are so small they block pores in fleas ( and other small vermin ) so they die from dehydration.......no BS, no kidding . I live in Florida US and it works.

 

[LucyR]

diatomaceous.

 

[TheFeds]

It is natural, non-toxic, and effective.

Probably effective, but be careful--it's not totally harmless.

MSDS #1
MSDS #2

They indicate probable carcinogenicity, and the potential to cause silicosis (due to crystalline silica). So don't inhale it, don't ingest it, try to keep it off of you, and don't let the pets play with it.

Fortunately, it likely won't be a significant health issue unless you work with the stuff on a daily basis. (So while it isn't going to reduce you to a pile of steaming goo, it isn't health food either.)

 

[anor277]

I've never heard of the diatomaceous earth trick to control fleas - it sounds like a good method (diatomaceous earth is also known as silica gel or kieselgur or Celite or Filter aid and is used in labs for chromatography - on your garden lawn it will probably improve drainage).

Another effective "old fashioned" control for inside the house is to take a very shallow biscuit tray and fill it with water with a few drops of detergent to reduce the surface tension. A lit candle is placed in the middle of the tray and the fleas jump toward the light or heat of the flickering candle during the night and land in the water. In heavy infestations you get a tray of "drownded" fleas the next morning. Repeat until the infestation is ended (careful you might burn your house down!).

 

[TillEulenspiegel]

Probably effective, but be careful--it's not totally harmless.

MSDS #1
MSDS #2

They indicate probable carcinogenicity, and the potential to cause silicosis (due to crystalline silica). So don't inhale it, don't ingest it, try to keep it off of you, and don't let the pets play with it.

Fortunately, it likely won't be a significant health issue unless you work with the stuff on a daily basis. (So while it isn't going to reduce you to a pile of steaming goo, it isn't health food either.)

True even GRAS products can make you ill if utilized incorrectly. Funny too, the vet after me telling her about it said that some of her clients even mix small amounts in their pet's food , for heart worms or something. I'M not going to try that , I like my dog just the way she is... breathing.