How do fleas appear due to dampness? - briefly
Moist conditions raise humidity, accelerating flea egg hatching and larval survival. Elevated moisture also encourages mold growth, supplying larvae with food and driving rapid population increase.
How do fleas appear due to dampness? - in detail
Moist environments create conditions that favor each stage of the flea life cycle. High relative humidity (above 70 %) prevents desiccation of eggs, allowing them to remain viable for several days. Moisture also accelerates the development of larvae, which require a damp substrate rich in organic debris to feed on. When the surrounding material retains water, bacterial and fungal growth increases, providing a more abundant food source for the immature stages.
Key factors influencing flea emergence in damp conditions include:
- Egg survival: Moisture reduces water loss, extending the period before hatching.
- Larval growth: Wet organic matter supplies nutrients and maintains the humidity needed for respiration.
- Pupal protection: A moist cocoon resists cracking and supports successful adult emergence.
- Adult activity: High humidity enhances the ability of adult fleas to locate hosts by preserving the integrity of their sensory structures.
Temperature interacts with humidity; optimal development occurs when temperatures range between 20 °C and 30 °C combined with sufficient moisture. In indoor settings, leaks, poor ventilation, and accumulated pet waste create microhabitats where humidity remains elevated, promoting rapid population expansion. Outdoors, damp leaf litter, compost piles, and shaded soil provide similar niches.
Effective control therefore targets moisture reduction: repairing leaks, improving airflow, and removing saturated organic material. By lowering relative humidity below the threshold required for egg viability and larval development, the environmental support for flea proliferation is removed, interrupting the cycle and preventing infestation.