How long does a flea live in an apartment? - briefly
Adult fleas typically survive 2–3 weeks in a home, while eggs, larvae, and pupae can persist for several months if temperature and humidity remain suitable. Consequently, an infestation can last up to three months without intervention.
How long does a flea live in an apartment? - in detail
A flea can complete its entire life cycle inside a dwelling within several weeks, but the exact timeline depends on environmental conditions.
The developmental stages are:
- Egg: 1–10 days before hatching; laid on the host or in carpet fibers.
- Larva: 5–20 days; feeds on organic debris, requires high humidity.
- Pupa: 5–30 days; remains in a protective cocoon, may delay emergence if conditions are unfavorable.
- Adult: 2–3 weeks of active feeding; can survive up to 2 months without a blood meal, extending to 3 months under optimal humidity and temperature.
Adult fleas typically live 2–3 weeks when regularly feeding on a host. If a host is unavailable, they may persist for up to 60 days, drawing on stored reserves. Survival beyond this period is unlikely.
Key variables that modify the timeline:
- Temperature: 75–85 °F (24–29 °C) accelerates development; lower temperatures prolong each stage.
- Relative humidity: 70 % or higher supports larval growth; dry environments slow or halt progress.
- Host availability: Frequent blood meals shorten the adult stage but increase reproductive output.
- Sanitation: Accumulated dust, hair, and skin cells provide food for larvae, extending the pupal period.
Control measures must target the entire cycle. Treating only adult fleas leaves eggs and larvae untouched, allowing the population to rebound within the 2‑month window. Comprehensive intervention—vacuuming, washing bedding, applying insect growth regulators, and maintaining low humidity—reduces the chance of re‑infestation before the lifecycle concludes.