Are Fleas Always in Groups?
WouterFleas live in groups of three or four and sometimes in lines. They are multijointed and have long claws on their legs. Their adaptations help them navigate between hair shafts. This adaptation enables them to survive intense scratching and blood feeding. In addition, they are able to jump a great distance.
Fleas usually live on animals, but they will also live on humans. Infestations of fleas occur in communal rooms and places where pets sleep. They also live in soft furnishings, such as carpets and furniture. Flea bites typically occur on the legs and arms of humans, but can also appear on the face. Flea dirt has tiny black dots and is made of the blood of the host. This dirt can consist of 10 or more drops of blood each time fleas feed.
Adult fleas live for about a month. Fleas typically live in warm, moist environments. They need a host blood meal to complete their life cycle. They are about an eighth of an inch long and have long, fat back legs. In order to survive, they must feed on the blood of a host animal in order to lay their eggs. The eggs take seven to 15 days to develop.
Once a flea egg hatches, the adult flea lives for about three to five weeks. Once the pupa emerges, it will feed on the host’s blood and produce a red spot. Fleas usually appear around the legs, feet, and ankles, but can appear on any part of the body. They prefer areas with thick hair.
