How long do fleas live off an animal? - briefly
Adult fleas can survive without a host for roughly two to three weeks, with lifespan extending up to a month under ideal temperature and humidity. If they cannot obtain a blood meal, they typically die within a few days.
How long do fleas live off an animal? - in detail
Fleas can persist for several weeks when separated from a host, but their exact survival period depends on temperature, humidity, and life‑stage.
Adult fleas require a blood meal to reproduce. In a warm, humid environment (≈25 °C, 70–80 % RH) an adult can live 5–10 days without feeding before its energy reserves are exhausted. In cooler, drier conditions the same stage may survive up to 14 days, though activity and reproductive capacity decline sharply.
Eggs deposited on the floor or bedding hatch within 1–5 days if moisture is sufficient. Once hatched, larvae feed on organic debris and adult flea feces. Under optimal conditions (≈27 °C, 80 % RH) larvae develop to the pupal stage in 5–10 days. Pupae can remain dormant for months, entering a protective cocoon that shields them from desiccation. When stimulated by vibrations, carbon dioxide, or increased temperature—signals of a nearby host—pupae emerge as adults.
Key survival intervals:
- Adult without blood: 5–14 days, varying with climate.
- Egg: 1–5 days to hatch; viability declines after 2 weeks if dry.
- Larva: 5–14 days to reach pupation; mortality rises sharply below 15 °C or humidity under 50 %.
- Pupal cocoon: dormant for weeks to several months; can survive up to a year in cool, dry storage.
Overall, a flea population can persist in a household for months, primarily because the pupal stage endures long periods without a host. Effective control therefore targets all stages—regular cleaning to remove eggs and larvae, and environmental treatments that disrupt pupal cocoons.