How Long Fleas Live Off Host
WouterThere are several factors that determine how long fleas can live off a host. Fleas prefer to live on a host rather than on their own. One of these factors is the time it takes for the fleas to lay eggs, which means that they can’t live off a host for a very long time. If a flea doesn’t have a blood meal right away, it won’t lay eggs for several days or even weeks. That’s why understanding the life cycle of a flea is crucial.
The flea’s life cycle involves three distinct stages. The first is the cocoon stage, during which the flea feeds on organic matter. Once it emerges from the cocoon, it starts its countdown to its first blood meal. Without an immediate blood meal, fleas will starve. Depending on the environment, they may survive up to a week without feeding.
The second stage of flea life cycle is the pupae stage. Unlike the adults, pupae survive up to six months without heat or pressure. This means that a flea can live off its host for up to two weeks, and occasionally for as long as a month. However, fleas will die after they have left their host if they cannot find a new host.
When the fleas die off their host, their life cycle ends. Adult fleas will go through four stages of life. The first stage, larva, lasts about five days. The third stage, adult fleas, die of starvation within a week.
