Do Fleas Have Natural Predators?
WouterFleas are pests that live on animals, such as cats and dogs. They are small, flightless insects that belong to the Siphonaptera order. They are often harmless, but can cause problems if they bite humans. Fleas feed on the blood of their hosts and can infect people or animals. Fortunately, there are many natural predators for fleas that can prevent infestations.
Insects like ants are natural flea predators. These critters are very effective at feeding on flea larvae, so they are good at controlling the flea population. They also live in colonies and sting fleas when they come near them. They are not common in the household, but they are found around roadsides and grasslands.
Some species of fish are known to eat fleas, including the spiny water flea. These animals were introduced to North America in the early 1990s through ballast water on ships from Eurasia. In 1998, they were discovered in Lake Ontario. These species are not considered to be a danger to humans, but they do pose a threat to wildlife.
The wood rat is another natural flea predator. These rodents bring fresh bay leaves into their homes and destroy flea larvae. Their natural predators are not very numerous and are unlikely to consume an entire flea infestation. However, certain species of nematodes can be very effective at killing fleas.
