How long do cat fleas live in a house? - briefly
Adult cat fleas survive 2–3 weeks without a blood meal and up to about one month when they feed regularly; eggs hatch in 2–5 days, and immature stages develop within 1–2 weeks, allowing the entire cycle to persist in a home for several weeks.
How long do cat fleas live in a house? - in detail
Cat fleas can remain active inside a residence for several weeks to a few months, depending on temperature, humidity, and host availability. The complete life cycle comprises egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages, each with distinct time frames.
- Eggs: Female fleas deposit 20–50 eggs per day on the host. Eggs fall off into the environment and hatch within 1–10 days when conditions are warm (21–29 °C) and humid (≥50 % RH).
- Larvae: After hatching, larvae feed on organic debris and adult flea feces. Development to the pupal stage takes 5–11 days under optimal conditions; slower progress occurs at lower temperatures or reduced moisture.
- Pupae: Enclosed in protective cocoons, pupae can remain dormant for weeks to months. A sudden increase in temperature, carbon dioxide, or host vibrations triggers emergence of the adult.
- Adults: Once emerged, adult fleas seek a blood meal within hours. After feeding, an adult can survive 2–3 weeks without a host, extending up to 4–6 weeks if it continues to feed regularly. In a well‑maintained home with limited hosts and low humidity, adult survival may be shortened to 5–10 days.
Environmental factors that accelerate the cycle include indoor heating that maintains temperatures above 24 °C and high humidity levels. Conversely, cooler, drier rooms can delay development and reduce adult longevity.
Typical indoor infestations progress through two to three generations within a month under favorable conditions. In colder climates or during winter, the cycle may extend, allowing the population to persist for several months before collapsing when hosts become scarce or environmental conditions become hostile.
Effective control requires interrupting each stage: regular vacuuming to remove eggs and larvae, washing bedding at high temperatures to kill pupae, and applying appropriate adulticide treatments to eliminate feeding fleas. Without such measures, the indoor flea population can sustain itself for the full duration of its life cycle, potentially lasting up to three months before natural attrition reduces numbers.