Where Are Fleas Found?

Fleas are parasitic insects that live in an animal’s fur. Fleas can be indoors or outdoors, but they are most likely to infest areas where animals congregate. Indoor fleas are most likely to live in carpets, upholstered furniture, and pet bedding. Outdoor fleas prefer moist, shaded areas. During the summer months, their numbers tend to increase.

Fleas have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Fleas live for about a month in each stage. They are attracted to warm environments by carbon dioxide or movement. Once attached to a new host, they begin feeding on the host’s blood. These parasites can infest homes, outdoor areas, and buildings.

In addition to pets, fleas also live on humans and livestock. In fact, 90 percent of the world’s flea species are found on humans and animals. Cats, dogs, and livestock are the most common hosts for these parasites, but they are also known to infest human skin.

Adult fleas are reddish-brown insects that are about an eighth of an inch long. Their long hind legs allow them to jump. Fleas have small spines on their bodies that enable them to attach to their host and avoid being brushed off. They also have a hard outer body, which makes them difficult to kill.