Expert Montreal Pest Solutions

Montreal Pest Directory

Rodent Flea (Rat Flea)

Scientific Name:

• Nosopsyllus fasciatus

• Xenopsylla cheopis

Also known as:

• Northern rat flea, oriental rat flea

What Are Rodent Fleas?

Rodent fleas are parasitic insects that primarily infest rats, mice, and other wild rodents. These fleas are notorious for their role in historical disease outbreaks, including the plague. While small and easily overlooked, rodent fleas are resilient, mobile, and capable of jumping long distances to locate hosts.

Global Context

Xenopsylla cheopis (oriental rat flea) is infamous for transmitting Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for bubonic plague. It originated in tropical climates and spread globally via ship rats. Nosopsyllus fasciatus (northern rat flea) is more common in temperate regions and has adapted well to urban rodent populations.

Quebec Context

In Montreal and surrounding urban areas, rodent fleas are typically found in older infrastructure, near waste disposal zones, warehouses, and locations with rat or mouse infestations. Their presence often goes unnoticed until bites appear on humans or pets and an infestation has already taken hold.

How Rodent Fleas Infest Homes

• Hitch rides on rats, mice, or wildlife entering structures

• Lay eggs in rodent nests, insulation, or floor cracks

• Pupae can remain dormant for months in low-activity zones

• Adults leap onto new hosts, including humans, when rodents are eliminated or displaced

Why Rodent Fleas Are a Problem

• Bite humans and pets when primary host is unavailable

• Can transmit serious diseases like plague and murine typhus

• Bites may cause allergic reactions, itching, and skin infections

• Persistent infestations can occur if rodent nests are not removed

Reproduction Rate

• 1 Day:6-8 eggs laid per female (begin reproducing witin 24 to 48 hours of their first blood-meal)

• 1 Week: 40–50 eggs Eggs/larvae/pupae/adults at different stages

• 1 Month: 1000 to + Adults and 1.2 million eggs. Rule: For every detecte Flea, there are 1000 eggs.

Parasites & Cross-Infestation Risks

• Flea → Human: Bite reactions, potential zoonotic disease exposure

• Flea → Pet: Fleas may transfer to cats or dogs from rodent carriers

• Flea → Bacteria: Yersinia pestis, Rickettsia typhi, Bartonella spp.

• Flea → Worms: Hymenolepis diminuta (Rat Tapeworm), Hymenolepis nana (Dwarf Tapeworm), Strongyloides spp. (Indirect association)

Why Hire a Professional

Rodent fleas often go unnoticed until after rodents are removed, leading to unexpected outbreaks. DIY solutions rarely reach hidden nests or dormant pupae. A professional exterminator will: Inspect for active flea presence and rodent entry points. Eliminate fleas at all life stages using targeted insecticides. Safely remove nests and sanitize affected zones. Prevent reinfestation by sealing rodent pathways and advising follow-up flea prevention.

Montreal Pest News:

• https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/a-case-of-bubonic-plague-has-been-diagnosed-in-the-us-heres-what-canadians-should-know/

• https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2015/03/disease-carrying-fleas-abound-new-york-citys-rats

• https://entomologytoday.org/2015/03/02/fleas-that-could-potentially-carry-plague-found-on-new-york-city-rats/

Scientific Research:

• Emerging rodent-associated Bartonella: a threat for human health?

https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-022-05162-5

• About Murine Typhus

https://www.cdc.gov/typhus/about/murine.html

• New York rats could harbour the PLAGUE: City rodents carry fleas that can spread the Black Death to humans

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2978562/New-York-rats-harbour-PLAGUE-City-rodents-carry-fleas-spread-Black-Death-humans.html

Mouse

Cockroach

Bed Bug

Cat Flea

Rat

Blattella germanica

Mus musculus

Ctenocephalides Felis

Rattus Rattus

Cimex Lectularius