Do Fleas Have a Purpose?
WouterFleas are beneficial to humans and animals in many ways. For example, fleas help rot dead things, and their larvae feed on vegetable matter and animal feces. Fleas also help regulate the breeding cycle of some mammals. They are also vectors for pathogens.
Humans have been associated with fleas for thousands of years. In the 14th century, fleas were the source of the black plague, which killed up to 25 million people in Europe. This disease was also spread by fleas in other countries, before antibiotics were discovered. Fleas were the major cause of the plague because they spread the disease through rodents. Because plague outbreaks kill off large numbers of rodents, the fleas are forced to seek other food sources.
A recent Los Angeles Herald article reveals that fleas prefer humans over animals. Interestingly, they prefer animals with thin skin. Fleas are also attracted to blood and warm moist areas. Many people think that fleas feed on the blood of pets, while others believe that they feed on human skin and pet hair. While fleas don’t necessarily eat humans, their larvae can live on clothes.
Fleas also have a purpose. Their larvae need high humidity to develop. That’s why arid regions are less likely to be infested by fleas. The dry air also stretches out the flea life cycle, making it harder for fleas to survive. This makes them more vulnerable to diseases. Fortunately, we can use these strategies to keep fleas away from our pets and families.
