Do Fleas Need Oxygen For Survival?

If fleas require oxygen for survival, how do they manage to survive in the human environment? One possible explanation is the way that they have evolved to live in burrows. In these environments, they must deal with high levels of CO2. This causes them to have higher respiration rates, which results in faster drying. Consequently, they become less active and have fewer resources to lay eggs.

If fleas cannot get out of water, they may drown, but they can survive for up to 24 hours without a host. If you suck them out before the 24-hour period, you will likely be able to revive them. Fleas also live for up to two weeks without a host. The longer they stay in water, the less likely they are to survive.

If your pet has an infestation, you may notice that the gums are pale. This can be caused by anemia. Fleas feed on blood, which makes it difficult for the body to create red blood cells. As a result, anemia results in pale gums, fatigue, and weakness. The best way to eliminate fleas is to have your pet treated by a professional veterinarian.

Another alternative is to drown the fleas in washing up liquid. As washing up liquid contains surfactants that reduce the surface tension of water, it will drown the fleas.