Do Fleas Kill Each Other?
WouterFleas are parasitic on humans and animals. Adult female fleas lay up to 2,000 eggs during their lifetime. The eggs are white and smooth and are usually deposited on the fur or on the carpet. They develop into worm-like larvae and remain hidden in places where they can find shelter and food. In one to four weeks, fleas will emerge from the eggs and begin to feed on human or animal feces.
You can kill adult fleas by using a flea control insecticide. However, be aware that some flea products are only effective on adult fleas and not on eggs and larvae. To kill a full infestation of fleas, you must treat your entire home, including your carpets, rugs, and walls. It is advisable to treat all pet beds and mattresses. Additionally, you should treat all pet food and water, including your fish tank.
Adult fleas spend most of their time on pets. Once they find a host, female fleas will begin laying eggs. Within a few days, female fleas will hatch. The eggs are one eighth inch long and black or brown in color. The flea larvae live for three weeks during peak season and can live for more than 100 days on a host.
Fleas are important vectors of disease. These critters can transmit Yersinia pestis to humans. In the past, they were the cause of the black plague, which killed twenty-five million people worldwide. Thankfully, antibiotics have helped us avoid this deadly disease.
