What Can Fleas Live on?
Fleas do not live on humans, but they do live in your pet’s bedding. Fleas prefer warm, moist environments, such as sand, and places with high grass. They also like places that are under trees and shrubs, as these provide them with the necessary moisture and shade. In the summer, animals will prefer a place in the shade to stay cool. Similarly, newly hatched adult fleas will find a place in the shade as well.
Fleas can survive for up to 5 months in a cocooned state. In this state, they remain quiescent and wait for their host to come into contact with them again. However, this condition can lead to re-infestations and control problems. Adult fleas emerge from their cocoons when they feel heat or physical pressure from their host. Therefore, it is important to keep your pets’ bedding and furniture clean in order to avoid flea infestation.
Fleas can live up to five months without a host, but without a pet, their numbers will decrease significantly. After a few weeks, they will reach the adult stage and eventually starve to death. Fortunately, there are methods of flea control that will help you speed up the process.
The female flea will lay 25-30 eggs every day, and the eggs will fall off the animal within a day or two. The eggs will incubate for two days in their environment, and will hatch into larvae after about a week. During this period, fleas feed off of your cat’s fur and dirt, which is why keeping your cat’s bedding clean is so important.