When did the flea bite? - briefly
The flea bites immediately upon contacting the host’s skin, usually within a few seconds of landing. This rapid action allows it to feed before the animal detects the intrusion.
When did the flea bite? - in detail
Fleas initiate feeding as soon as they locate a suitable host, typically within seconds after contact. The process begins when the insect detects heat, carbon‑dioxide, and movement, then jumps onto the skin or fur. Upon landing, the flea probes the surface with its hind legs, searching for a thin area of skin. Once a viable spot is found, the flea inserts its mouthparts and begins to draw blood; the actual bite can be felt within 1–3 seconds of attachment.
Key factors influencing the exact timing include:
- Host temperature: Higher skin temperature accelerates detection and engagement.
- Carbon‑dioxide concentration: Elevated exhaled CO₂ levels shorten the search phase.
- Movement: Active hosts generate more cues, prompting quicker attachment.
- Environmental humidity: Moist conditions facilitate faster mouthpart penetration.
- Flea hunger level: Starved individuals bite sooner than those recently fed.
The feeding episode lasts approximately 5–10 minutes, during which the flea ingests several microliters of blood. Saliva containing anticoagulants is released at the start of the bite, causing the characteristic itchy welts that appear shortly after the insect detaches. Detection of the bite often lags behind the actual event because the host’s skin reaction develops over minutes to hours.