Are Fleas More Active When Dying?

Fleas are very small insects that live for a short period of time. During their life cycle, they lay thousands of eggs. Fleas usually live for a few months, but under ideal conditions, they can live for up to 18 months. They are most active at night, when the temperature drops and the animals are sleeping. If you notice that your cat has been scratching frequently, fleas may be breeding in the bedding.

Fleas can live for many months without feeding on your pet, especially in cooler temperatures. This is called their dormancy stage. In order to survive, fleas lay eggs and then pupae. Adult fleas emerge from the pupae stage when the temperatures rise. They feed on the blood of the host animal to sustain their existence.

In addition to causing itchiness and red bumps, fleas can transmit deadly diseases like murine typhus and bubonic plague. They are also known to transmit tapeworms and anemia to humans. The bites from fleas are often painful and can make pets very sick.

Fleas can survive in temperatures as low as 46 degrees. However, when temperatures drop below freezing for five consecutive days, they will die. The most common time of year for fleas to remain active is during the spring and summer seasons.