Which Animal Eats Fleas?
WouterFortunately, there are many ways to control flea populations. Fleas are small insects with wingless bodies, short antennae and sucking mouth parts. They lack compound eyes, but their powerful hind legs are enough to allow them to jump onto a host and attach themselves. Once attached, they feed and breed. Once they die, the eggs fall off the host and land on rugs, blankets and other surfaces.
A female flea will lay up to fifty eggs a day. In about three weeks, the flea completes its life cycle. During this time, it feeds off the partially digested blood and organic matter from its host. The pupa stage lasts about a week and is influenced by ambient temperature and the presence of a host. The adult flea emerges from the cocoon after the host has released CO2.
Ants are another animal that feeds on fleas. These critters are small and jumpy, and they feed on both insects and plant parts. But ants can be quite dangerous, so they should never be encouraged. Those allergic to stings should avoid coming in contact with ants because the sting can be very painful.
Luckily, birds can be a great source of flea control. Their pecking ability helps them kill a variety of pests, including fleas. Birds like starlings, robins and grackles are especially helpful when it comes to flea control. If you want to attract more birds to your yard, you can install a bird feeder. But don’t forget that seeds are only about 10 percent of a bird’s diet!
