How Long Do Fleas Live Without Food?

If the environment is conducive to the flea life cycle, they can survive for up to 17 days without food. Without a host, fleas can survive up to one week without feeding. Once they leave their host, their metabolism accelerates and they need to feed right away. Otherwise, they will starve and die.

Adult fleas can live up to 30 days without a host, but their life cycle is shorter without a host. Fleas go through four stages during their life cycle, each with its own characteristics. Depending on their stage, they can survive for a few days, a week, or even months without a host.

Fleas lay their eggs in the fur of their host, where they develop. These eggs are pearl-like in appearance, and fall out of the animal’s coat as the animal walks. The flea lays its eggs in that location until it hatches and transfers them from host to host. While they prefer animal hosts, they will also attach themselves to humans, where they can live for months.

A flea’s life cycle begins when a female flea lays her eggs. The eggs then dry and fall off. In warm climates, female fleas will gather. The adult flea then emerges and jumps onto a suitable host from a carpet.