How Can Fleas Get in Your Clothes?
WouterThere are many ways to avoid fleas getting on your clothes. First of all, keep your clothes clean. You want to keep fleas from getting into your home. You also want to keep them out of your clothes while you’re outside. Fleas can latch onto skintight fabrics and can bite through them. However, they are not as good hitchhikers as bed bugs. If you find them on your clothing, make sure to wash it as soon as you can.
Most types of clothes are not a flea’s first choice. Thin, skintight fabrics are the easiest for fleas to get through. However, loose-woven clothing can also be a flea’s first choice. This is because fleas find it easier to cling to fabric than to bare skin. They can jump on your clothing and latch onto the stitching or seams, which allows them to reach your exposed skin.
Fleas will only bite into the skin of a human if it is exposed. They will not bite through your clothes unless you disturb them, but if you do, they may hide in the seams. They will remain in your clothing for up to 24 hours before jumping to another host.
Fleas can also lay their eggs on your clothes or other items that are stored in your home. Female fleas can lay up to 20 eggs at a time and are able to feed on several different types of fabrics. They can jump up to eight inches onto their prey, but they are not able to fly. If you find fleas on your clothing, you’ll want to treat the carpets, furniture, and floors so that you don’t attract any more fleas.
