What do indoor fleas look like? - briefly
Indoor fleas are tiny, dark‑brown insects about 1–3 mm long, with a laterally compressed, wingless body and strong hind legs that enable rapid jumping. Their heads are small, eyes are simple, and they lack visible wings or antennae segments.
What do indoor fleas look like? - in detail
Indoor fleas are tiny, wingless insects measuring roughly 1 – 3 mm in length. Their bodies are laterally compressed, giving them a narrow, “jumping” silhouette that aids movement through fabric and carpet fibers. The exoskeleton is a glossy, reddish‑brown hue; after a blood meal, the abdomen darkens to a deep reddish or blackish color, making the insect appear almost black.
Key visual traits include:
- Head: small, equipped with large, compound eyes and short antennae that bend backward.
- Mouthparts: piercing‑sucking proboscis designed for penetrating skin, often invisible unless examined under magnification.
- Thorax: bears six long, powerful legs; the hind legs end in a specialized “spring” mechanism that launches the flea up to 150 mm vertically.
- Abdomen: segmented, slightly convex, and capable of expanding after feeding; the dorsal surface is smooth, while the ventral side bears tiny bristles that help cling to host hair or upholstery.
- Leg joints: visible as tiny nodules; the femur of the hind leg is markedly larger than the others, indicating its role in jumping.
In a domestic setting, fleas are most often spotted on pet bedding, rugs, and upholstered furniture. They move in quick, erratic hops, leaving a faint, dark trail of excrement (small black specks) on fabrics. Larval stages differ markedly: they are cream‑colored, C‑shaped, and lack legs, residing in the debris layer rather than on surfaces visible to the eye. Recognizing these characteristics enables accurate identification and timely control measures.