How Much Blood Do Fleas Drink?
WouterIf you’ve ever wondered how much blood fleas drink, you’re not alone. In fact, researchers have found that fleas can consume as much as 0.110 milliliters of blood per female per three-hour period. The amount of blood fleas consume depends on a number of factors. One of the most important is the presence of a host. Fleas prefer to feed on thin-skinned individuals, such as women or children. While fleas prefer to feed on human blood, they will feed on anything that is available to them. In addition, they are extremely sensitive to vibrations in the floor and carbon dioxide exhalation, which allows them to jump to a potential blood host.
Fleas need to feed on a host animal in order to reproduce. Adult fleas spend most of their life on animals like cats and dogs. Once they have a blood meal, they lay eggs on your pet, which they then use as food. These eggs are not sticky, so they’re often deposited in your pet’s bedding or other areas of the home.
Fleas are parasitic on humans and other mammals. The adult flea grows to about three millimetres (eighth of an inch) long, without wings or claws. Their mouthparts are adapted for piercing the skin, and they have a specialized sucking mechanism called a proboscis that allows them to siphon blood from their host. During non-feeding periods, their proboscis remains hidden under their belly or between their legs.
