Сколько живут кошачьи блохи без животного? - briefly
Cat fleas can persist without a host for roughly two to three weeks if temperature and humidity are optimal, though survival usually drops to under ten days under typical indoor conditions. Their lifespan shortens dramatically when deprived of blood meals.
Сколько живут кошачьи блохи без животного? - in detail
Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) can persist for several weeks without a mammalian host, but survival depends on temperature, humidity, and life‑stage.
Adult fleas require blood to reproduce, yet they can remain alive while awaiting a new host. Under optimal indoor conditions (21‑25 °C, 70‑80 % relative humidity) an unfed adult may survive 2–3 weeks. Lower humidity (≤50 %) shortens this period to 4–7 days, while cooler temperatures (≤10 °C) can extend survival to 4–5 weeks, though metabolic activity slows dramatically.
Larval and pupal stages are more tolerant of harsh environments because they are concealed in the environment (carpets, bedding). Larvae, which feed on organic debris and adult flea feces, can live 5–11 days before spinning cocoons. Pupae remain dormant within cocoons for weeks to months; favorable conditions (warmth, increased carbon dioxide) trigger emergence, but in a stable, cool, dry setting they may stay viable for up to 6 months.
A concise summary of survival times:
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Adult, unfed:
• 21‑25 °C, 70‑80 % RH – 14‑21 days
• ≤10 °C – up to 35 days (reduced activity)
• ≤50 % RH – 4‑7 days -
Larva: 5‑11 days (depends on food availability)
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Pupa (cocoon): 2‑4 weeks under normal indoor conditions; up to 6 months if environmental triggers are absent.
Thus, without a host, adult cat fleas survive only a few weeks at best, while immature stages can endure considerably longer, especially the pupal form, which acts as a long‑term reservoir in the environment. Effective control requires eliminating both adult insects and their developmental habitats to prevent re‑infestation.