How Small Do Fleas Get?
WouterFleas are small, wingless insects. They are about an eighth of an inch long and are reddish brown in color. Their hind legs are long and are designed to jump. They can cover a distance of 30 cm in a single leap. An adult flea may be as small as 1.5mm, while the larvae may be as small as a pinhead. These insects live most of their lives on their host animals.
Fleas have small mouth parts called proboscises that help them feed. They also pump saliva onto their host’s skin before feeding. Their saliva contains a protein that can cause an allergic reaction in humans. In addition to being extremely tiny, fleas can survive for up to six months on a warm-blooded animal.
Fleas reproduce by laying eggs on hosts. The eggs of fleas are 0.4 millimeters in diameter and are translucent in appearance. If you see flea eggs, you will know your pet has fleas. Fleas also deposit brown “fecal matter” on pets and their bedding. Those who have a pet must wash bedding regularly to remove the flea eggs and lingering fleas.
When fleas reach adulthood, they lose their wings and migrate from their host to the next host. They are only an eighth of an inch long and are reddish-brown or black in color. They have no wings, and instead use long back legs to jump from host to host.
