Do Fleas Need a Host to Live?
WouterWhen fleas are mature, they jump off their host and look for a new one. After feeding on the blood of a host, adult fleas start laying eggs. This is their way of reproducing and providing energy for their future generations. Normally, fleas bite people around the ankles. During the first 24 hours after hatching, adult fleas are active in the hunt for blood.
Fleas develop a blood dependency on the blood of a host and need a source of fresh blood to survive. They need a blood meal every 12 hours to survive. Once they emerge from the cocoon, their metabolism speeds up. If they do not get immediate blood feeds, they will starve. However, if the blood is available, fleas can survive for as long as a week.
A flea’s life cycle begins with the eggs laid by the female flea. The eggs hatch into larvae, which remain in the host’s fur for a period of time. After a while, the larvae shed their eggs, forming a cocoon. After a couple of days, they emerge from the cocoon and jump onto a new host. It is important to remember that fleas need a host to reproduce, so they cannot survive without a host.
Another way to prevent a flea infestation is to wash your pet often. Fleas tend to breed in bedding areas, shrubbery, and the ground beneath decks. If you are concerned that your yard may contain fleas, consider enlisting the services of a professional pest control company to perform a thorough inspection and apply flea prevention methods.
