How do fleas breed? - briefly
Female fleas deposit 20–50 eggs on the host or in surrounding debris; the eggs hatch into larvae that feed on organic matter, then pupate and emerge as adult fleas, continuing the reproductive cycle.
How do fleas breed? - in detail
Flea reproduction begins when a mature female locates a suitable host, typically a mammal or bird, and feeds on blood to acquire the nutrients required for egg development. After a blood meal, the female can produce up to several hundred eggs within 24 hours; the exact number depends on species, temperature, and host availability. Eggs are deposited on the host’s fur but soon fall off into the surrounding environment, where they adhere to bedding, carpets, or soil.
- Egg stage – Eggs are smooth, oval, and non‑motile. At temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C and relative humidity above 70 %, embryogenesis completes within 2–4 days. In cooler, drier conditions, development slows or ceases, and eggs may remain viable for several months.
- Larval stage – Newly hatched larvae are blind, legless, and actively seek organic debris. They feed on microscopic organic matter, including adult flea feces (which contain partially digested blood), skin flakes, and mold. Larvae undergo three instars over 5–11 days, molting after each stage. High humidity (≥ 80 %) and temperatures of 25 °C–27 °C accelerate growth.
- Pupal stage – Mature larvae spin silken cocoons and enter pupation. Within the cocoon, metamorphosis lasts 5–10 days under optimal conditions but can be delayed for weeks or months if environmental cues are unfavorable. The pupa remains quiescent until vibrations, carbon dioxide, or heat signal the presence of a potential host.
- Adult stage – Emerging adults are wingless, laterally compressed insects equipped with powerful hind legs for jumping. Males locate females through pheromonal cues and engage in brief copulation, which may occur on the host or in the environment. After mating, females require a blood meal to initiate oviposition. Adults live 2–3 months on a host, feeding repeatedly and producing successive batches of eggs.
Key factors influencing the reproductive cycle include:
- Temperature – Accelerates or decelerates each developmental phase; optimal range 20 °C–30 °C.
- Humidity – Essential for egg viability and larval activity; low humidity leads to desiccation.
- Host availability – Provides blood for adult nutrition and a substrate for egg deposition; absence of a host halts reproduction.
- Photoperiod – Shorter daylight periods can extend pupal dormancy, aligning emergence with favorable seasonal conditions.
Understanding each stage and its environmental dependencies enables effective control measures, such as regular cleaning of bedding to remove eggs and larvae, maintaining low indoor humidity, and using insecticidal treatments that target adults before they reproduce.