What do bed fleas feed on? - briefly
Bed fleas are hematophagous parasites that feed exclusively on the blood of humans and other warm‑blooded mammals, typically during nighttime when the host is at rest.
What do bed fleas feed on? - in detail
Bed fleas are obligate hematophages; their survival depends on the ingestion of vertebrate blood. Adult females require a blood meal to develop eggs, while males also feed but primarily for nourishment. The insects locate hosts by detecting body heat, carbon‑dioxide, and movement, then pierce the skin with specialized mouthparts to draw blood.
Typical hosts include:
- Humans sleeping in infested bedding
- Domestic dogs and cats that share the sleeping area
- Small mammals such as rodents that may occupy the same environment
Feeding occurs primarily at night when hosts are immobile, allowing the flea to remain undetected. A single blood meal can provide enough protein for a female to produce several hundred eggs. After engorgement, the flea retreats to cracks, seams, or the mattress surface to digest the blood and lay eggs.
In the absence of a suitable host, bed fleas can survive for several days to weeks by reducing metabolic activity. However, prolonged starvation leads to mortality, and no alternative food sources (e.g., plant material) support development.
Key aspects of the diet:
- Whole blood, rich in proteins and lipids, is the exclusive nutrient source.
- Blood must be fresh; coagulated or digested blood is unsuitable.
- Nutrient intake directly influences reproductive output and lifespan.
Understanding these feeding requirements is essential for effective control measures, which focus on eliminating host exposure and removing infested bedding materials.