Why Do Fleas Go on Humans?
WouterFleas are blood-sucking insects that live on humans and animals. They’re reddish brown and about an eighth of an inch long, with flattened bodies and long claws on their legs. Their unique adaptations allow them to hop between hair shafts. They also have spines on their mouth, legs, and back.
Fleas can infest people through contact with infected pets. In less than a month, your home can be infested with the little creatures. Human fleas also come from farms and pigs. These areas are known to be prime breeding grounds for them.
While fleas are not common on humans, they can bite humans. The most common flea in the United States is the cat flea. Dog fleas, however, are rare. Besides cats, fleas can also live on mice, birds, and livestock. If you have pets, you’ve probably had to deal with fleas. To prevent their presence, it’s important to keep the house clean.
The most common areas where fleas bite humans are the legs and feet. This can cause scratching and secondary infections. Some people even become hypersensitive to the bites. Fleas live on humans and animals, and their presence in the environment helps them co-exist. Fleas’ mouthparts are adapted to puncture an animal’s skin, and they can suck blood from humans. The bites, which usually look like little red bumps, are often mistaken for different bug bites. While fleas most commonly attack the legs and feet, they can also bite people from the upper body.
Adult fleas spend the majority of their lives on cats and dogs. They are capable of lasting for months without feeding. They feed by biting, and they also secrete saliva containing anticoagulants and encourage the blood flow. After feeding, the female flea lays her eggs. The eggs are light-coloured, oval-shaped, and have an almost 100-percent chance of hatching within the first few weeks. After hatching, the larvae will build a cocoon. After about 24 hours, the adult flea will emerge from its cocoon.
