How Fleas Get in Food
WouterFleas are tiny, reddish-brown, wingless insects that feed on blood. They use their needle-like mouthparts to puncture the skin to reach blood vessels. After sucking blood, fleas inject an anticoagulant into the blood to keep it flowing.
Fleas are also known as ‘disease vectors’. Fleas can enter your home through your pets and can be transferred from animals to humans. They are flat and have long claws on their legs and mouth. This makes it easy for them to travel between hair shafts and people.
Adult fleas can live up to one year and can live on a single host. Their eggs hatch, feed on organic debris for a couple of weeks and then move to the larva stage. After this, they remain dormant in your carpet and furniture. Until you intervene, your infestation is largely on hold.
Fleas are known to cause allergic reactions in people and animals. Some people can even contract tapeworms from their pets. They can also be fatal to animals. Fleas also carry bacteria that can make you sick. Children are especially at risk of accidentally ingesting them.
Fleas feed on dead skin cells and decaying plant matter. Their larvae are not shy when it comes to eating. In fact, they eat almost as much as an adult flea. Their blood meal is required before the larvae can lay their eggs.
