Why Are Fleas So Hard to Squish?
WouterFleas are notoriously difficult to get rid of, but there are several ways to kill them. These parasites have flat bodies and strong exoskeletons, which enable them to move through a host’s fur without being caught. They can also jump out of harm’s way quickly. Despite being small, fleas can be extremely itchy and dangerous. They can also transmit diseases like plague, typhus, and bartonellosis. In one case, fleas carrying plague closed down a Denver suburb in summer 2019. A teenager contracted plague after coming in contact with fleas infected with the plague.
Fleas are incredibly difficult to catch with your bare hands. This is because fleas are adapted to resist their weight. They rely on the friction of the surface they’re feeding on to stay alive. The flat body, slippery exoskeleton, and hard outer shell make catching a flea a challenging task. Therefore, the best way to catch a flea is to spin and squeeze it until it collapses.
Fleas have sharp teeth. They have specialized mouthparts that bite the skin and blood vessels. They also have specialized tongues that help them move through a host’s hair and feathers. Their body can also withstand enormous pressure. A female flea can lay up to 20 eggs in an oval-shaped egg in the host’s skin. The eggs develop into pupae and develop in a host’s sleeping area. When these fleas emerge from their pupae stage, they live for about two to three months.
