How long do fleas live and where do they inhabit? - briefly
«Adult fleas survive roughly two to three weeks, while eggs, larvae, and pupae may persist for several months under favorable conditions». They inhabit warm‑blooded mammals—primarily in fur and skin folds—and the surrounding environment such as bedding, carpets, and cracks where the life cycle continues.
How long do fleas live and where do they inhabit? - in detail
Fleas complete their life cycle within a few weeks to several months, depending on species, temperature, and humidity. Adult females lay 20–50 eggs per day, which fall off the host onto the surrounding environment. Under optimal conditions (25–30 °C, 70–80 % relative humidity), eggs hatch within 1–3 days, larvae develop for 5–11 days, and pupae emerge as adults after 5–14 days. In cooler or drier settings, each stage can be prolonged, extending the total cycle to 2–3 months. Adult fleas survive 2–3 weeks on a host, feeding intermittently; without a blood meal, they may live up to 2 months in the pupal cocoon.
Typical habitats include:
- Bedding, carpets, and upholstery where hosts rest.
- Cracks, crevices, and under floorboards that retain moisture.
- Outdoor environments such as rodent burrows, bird nests, and shaded, humid areas of lawns or gardens.
- Animal shelters, kennels, and veterinary clinics where multiple hosts congregate.
Fleas thrive in micro‑environments offering warmth, high humidity, and access to blood. Control measures focus on disrupting the cycle by reducing humidity, vacuuming to remove eggs and larvae, and applying insecticidal treatments to both hosts and their surroundings. Regular cleaning of bedding, washing pet linens at ≥ 60 °C, and maintaining indoor humidity below 50 % limit population growth.