What do fleas not tolerate? - briefly
Fleas cannot survive high temperatures, low humidity, or direct exposure to insecticidal agents such as pyrethrins.
What do fleas not tolerate? - in detail
Fleas are highly sensitive to several environmental and chemical conditions that can kill or repel them. Their survival depends on maintaining a narrow range of factors; deviation quickly leads to mortality or forced migration.
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Extreme temperatures – Temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) cause rapid freezing, while sustained exposure to heat above 95 °F (35 °C) results in dehydration and protein denaturation. Both extremes disrupt metabolic processes and impair locomotion.
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Low humidity – Air moisture under 30 % relative humidity accelerates water loss through the cuticle, leading to desiccation. Fleas compensate by seeking moist hosts or environments; prolonged dryness is lethal.
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Inadequate host blood – Fleas require regular blood meals to complete their life cycle. Absence of a suitable host for more than 48 hours triggers starvation, reducing reproductive capacity and eventually causing death.
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Chemical insecticides – Organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, and newer neonicotinoids interfere with nerve transmission, causing paralysis and mortality. Resistance can develop, but proper dosage remains fatal.
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Physical disturbance – Vibrations, frequent grooming, or mechanical removal (e.g., combing, vacuuming) dislodge fleas from the host or habitat, leading to loss of shelter and increased exposure to hostile conditions.
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Unsuitable substrates – Fleas lay eggs in organic debris rich in moisture and warmth. Dry, sterile surfaces lacking organic matter prevent egg development and larval growth, halting population expansion.
Understanding these intolerances enables effective control strategies: maintaining low indoor humidity, applying approved insecticides, regular vacuuming, and ensuring temperatures outside the optimal range for flea development.