How do fleas reproduce on the head? - briefly
Adult fleas lay eggs on scalp hair and skin, the eggs drop onto clothing or bedding where they hatch into larvae that feed on organic debris before pupating and emerging as new adults.
How do fleas reproduce on the head? - in detail
Fleas complete their life cycle on a host’s scalp when conditions allow the adult female to feed, mate, and lay eggs directly onto hair shafts or nearby skin. After a blood meal, a fertilized female produces 20‑50 eggs per day, depositing them in the dense hair and in the surrounding environment. Eggs are lightweight, non‑adhesive, and fall onto the skin surface; they hatch within 2‑5 days, releasing larvae that remain hidden in the hair or in the immediate surroundings.
Larvae are blind, legless, and feed on organic debris, adult flea feces (which contain partially digested blood), and any skin flakes present in the hair. They construct silken cocoons within the hair mat or on nearby fabrics, where they undergo pupation. The pupal stage can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on temperature, humidity, and the presence of host cues such as carbon dioxide and heat. When a suitable host approaches, the emerging adult is stimulated to exit the cocoon and seek a blood meal.
Adult fleas are wingless, laterally compressed insects capable of rapid jumping. Upon reaching the scalp, they attach to the skin using mouthparts designed for piercing and sucking blood. Feeding triggers the female to begin another reproductive cycle, continuing the infestation. Successful reproduction on the head requires:
- Warm, humid microclimate provided by the scalp.
- Sufficient blood supply from the host.
- Availability of organic debris for larval nutrition.
- Access to sheltered locations for cocoon formation (e.g., hair tufts, bedding, hats).
Control measures must target each stage: regular hair washing and combing to remove eggs and larvae, environmental cleaning to eliminate cocoons, and topical or systemic insecticides to kill adult fleas and interrupt egg production.