How Fleas Attach to Humans
WouterFleas are small, wingless insects that live on animals. They are reddish or black in color. Their hind legs are shortened to enable them to jump and run through a host’s hair and fur. Their thin bodies have spines on them to help them move through the host’s hair and prevent them from being pulled out during grooming.
Fleas bite humans and cause inflammation and redness on the skin. Some people may experience a tingling sensation or swollen skin around the bite. It’s important to get medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms. Fleas can also cause secondary infections.
Fleas feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including humans. They can attach to the skin of a human or an animal and can travel from one animal to another. Adult fleas do not want to leave their host, but they can be dislodged by pet grooming and insect repellents. Although fleas will feed on humans and other warm-blooded mammals, they prefer to live on cats and dogs.
A flea’s life cycle consists of four stages. The adult female flea lays up to forty eggs daily. The eggs hatch in two to three days. The adult flea lives on the host animal and drops the eggs as it walks or plays. When the eggs hatch, they land on various places in the house. Once the eggs hatch, the flea larvae live on the host’s body for up to 5 days. Then they develop into a pupa.
