Why Do Fleas Need a Host?
WouterUnlike other insects, fleas only have a short life cycle. They develop from egg to larva to pupa, and then emerge as an adult. This can take from two to three weeks to several months, depending on the environment. In ideal conditions, adult fleas in cats and dogs can live for up to a year. However, if there is no host, the flea can live for only a few weeks.
Fleas spend 90 percent of their lives on surfaces. They do not make leaps that are more than 13 inches high, and are only able to jump about 200 times their body length. They live in places that are warm and moist, which is why they are commonly found in carpets, upholstered furniture, and pet bedding. In addition, the temperature of the environment is important for flea larvae to grow and develop. If temperatures are above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the larvae will die.
Fleas do not live on lightbulbs, but they prefer to be near their host, as they cannot feed on light. They will therefore prefer host pets that go into the sunlight regularly. The life cycle of fleas without a host is a very complicated concept, with many variables.
Once the adult flea has a blood meal, she will need a host. Once the female flea finds a host, she will start feeding and lay eggs. Each feeding provides her with energy to develop eggs. If she waits until she finds a host, she will not lay eggs, as she is too busy searching for food and will lack the energy to develop new life.
