How often do fleas reproduce? - briefly
Female fleas start laying eggs within 24–48 hours after a blood meal and can produce 20–50 eggs each day for several weeks; the full life cycle from egg to adult typically repeats every 2–3 weeks under favorable conditions. Consequently, populations can increase rapidly, with new generations emerging roughly every two weeks.
How often do fleas reproduce? - in detail
Fleas complete a full reproductive cycle in roughly two to three weeks under optimal conditions. Adult females lay 20–50 eggs per day after a blood meal, and a single female can deposit several hundred eggs during her lifespan of about one to two months. Eggs hatch within 1–5 days, depending on temperature and humidity; warmer, moist environments accelerate development. Larvae feed on organic debris for 5–11 days before spinning cocoons, where pupation lasts from a few days to several weeks. The length of the pupal stage is highly variable, extending up to several months when conditions are unfavorable, allowing the insect to emerge when a host becomes available. Consequently, a thriving flea population can double every 2–3 weeks during the warm season, while colder or dry periods markedly slow the cycle.