How Long Fleas Hatch?
WouterThe life cycle of a flea consists of four different stages, including egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The duration of each stage varies depending on temperature and humidity. Depending on the environmental conditions, flea development may take as little as two days, or as long as eight months. During the first stage, the flea will lay between four and eight eggs, which are not sticky. These eggs will hatch in four to 12 days, depending on the conditions.
During this stage, the flea needs a warm, moist environment. Temperatures between 30degC and 80% humidity are ideal. However, if these conditions are not met, the incubation period of flea eggs may take up to two weeks. In some cases, the eggs may lay dormant for several weeks, so it is important to monitor the environment during the incubation period.
In addition to moist and warm climates, flea eggs need a protected environment where they can develop. They are attracted to dark, moist places and avoid sunlight. They usually develop in baseboards, deep carpet pile, and floor cracks. If the temperature is too cold, the larvae can drown.
Adult fleas feed on the blood of a host animal during the first two days of their life cycle. They lay between four and 40 eggs per day, with the highest number occurring during their last two days of life. Flea eggs are oval in shape, 0.5 mm long, and rounded at the ends. Once laid, the eggs hatch in one to 10 days. Fleas can survive in the wild for more than six months.
