What are fleas and where do they live? - briefly
Fleas are tiny, wingless, blood‑sucking insects of the order Siphonaptera. They live on the skin or fur of mammals and birds and are commonly found in the hosts’ nests, bedding, carpets, and other warm, humid environments.
What are fleas and where do they live? - in detail
Fleas are small, wing‑less insects belonging to the order Siphonaptera. Their bodies are laterally compressed, enabling movement through the fur or feathers of vertebrate hosts. Adults measure 1–4 mm, possess powerful hind legs for jumping up to 200 times their length, and feed on blood through a piercing‑sucking mouthpart. The digestive system is adapted to rapid processing of blood meals, and the exoskeleton is hardened to resist host grooming.
The life cycle comprises egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Females lay 20–50 eggs on the host or in the surrounding environment; eggs fall off and hatch within 2–5 days. Larvae are blind, C‑shaped, and feed on organic debris, including adult flea feces rich in blood. After several molts, larvae spin cocoons in protected microhabitats and undergo pupation. Emergence of the adult is triggered by vibrations, carbon dioxide, or heat from a potential host.
Fleas inhabit a range of settings linked to their hosts:
- Domestic animals: dogs, cats, rabbits, and livestock, where they reside in bedding, carpets, and crevices.
- Wild mammals: rodents, squirrels, foxes, and deer, with infestations occurring in nests, burrows, and dens.
- Avian species: birds host specialized flea species in nests and roosting sites.
- Human dwellings: indoor infestations arise from pet fleas that migrate to carpets, upholstery, and floorboards.
Geographically, fleas are found on every continent except Antarctica, thriving in temperate, tropical, and arid regions. Their distribution follows the presence of suitable hosts and environments that provide humidity (typically 70 % or higher) and moderate temperatures (15–30 °C) necessary for larval development.
Control measures focus on interrupting the life cycle: regular grooming of pets, use of insecticidal collars or topical treatments, thorough cleaning of bedding and carpets, and application of environmental insecticides to cracks and crevices where larvae and pupae develop. Integrated approaches combining host treatment and habitat sanitation achieve the most reliable reduction of flea populations.