What Are the Different Types of Fleas?
WouterFleas are small, flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals. They survive by sucking the blood of their host. There are over 2,500 species of fleas. In humans, fleas can be a serious health concern. However, there are ways to prevent fleas from infecting you.
There are three major types of fleas: dog flea, cat flea, and human flea. Each is very different from the other, and each has their own characteristics. Dog fleas are wingless and measure up to two millimeters in length. They are reddish brown in color and have more teeth on their legs.
Sticktight fleas are most common in poultry, but they can also infest humans. These types of fleas are difficult to remove, as they attach themselves to the host’s skin. They can also cause severe health complications, especially for young animals. These are the most dangerous types of fleas.
Cat fleas are the most common house fleas. They can be found worldwide and prefer to live on cats, dogs, and foxes. However, they will also bite humans out of necessity. Adult cat fleas are brownish-black bugs with a small head. Females lay four to eight eggs after feeding and lay them in bedding or crevices of the floor. Adult fleas feed on the blood of their host and the dried blood in feces.
Flea eggs hatch into tiny, whitish larvae. Adult fleas can lay up to 800 eggs during their lifetime. During the larval stage, fleas live on the host’s skin and hair. Their eggs are usually shed off during daily activities. They can be difficult to see as they are small and blind.
