Pulex Irritans is a scientific term used to describe the common flea. Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that are blood-sucking parasites. They are a major nuisance to humans and animals worldwide. There are various synonyms used for Pulex Irritans including the dog flea, cat flea, rat flea, human flea, and oriental rat flea. Each of these synonyms describes a particular species of flea that infests different types of animals. The dog flea, for example, infests dogs and cats while human fleas mainly target humans. Although there are different species of fleas, they all have the same irritating, itchy bite that can cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals.