Why Can’t Fleas Survive on Humans?
WouterFleas are small, wingless insects that live in the fur and feathers of animals. They cannot fly but can leap on their host’s body. They are usually brown in color and have 6 legs. They can jump up to 30 cm. They are between 1.5 and 4 millimeters in length. The female flea is 2.5 millimeters long, while the male flea is less than one millimeter long.
Fleas feed on blood. They will bite a human if they find a blood vessel. This is possible because fleas have mouthparts that can pierce the skin. The flea’s mouthparts are highly specialized for this task.
Fleas can survive without a host for up to 100 days. During that time, they are not able to lay eggs. Their population would decline if they had no host to feed on. However, once they find a host, they can lay their eggs within a few days.
Fleas have a complex life cycle. Their eggs hatch into legless embryos, and they feed on the blood of the host. The adult flea then leaves the protective cocoon and burrows into the fur of the host. The adult flea lives in the host’s fur for weeks.
While fleas cannot live on humans, their eggs and larvae can live on clothing and other items. In winter, they can live in household pets’ coats. In other cases, they can live on household items, such as pillows and couches. The best way to prevent fleas from infesting clothing is to wash it frequently.
