Where do fleas from a collar go? - briefly
Fleas that cling to a pet’s collar typically fall onto the animal’s coat or the floor, where they either die or migrate to other parts of the host. Consequently, they do not remain on the collar for long.
Where do fleas from a collar go? - in detail
Flea collars contain active ingredients that spread across the animal’s skin through contact and sweat. The chemicals dissolve into the oil layer of the coat, creating a protective zone that extends a few inches from the collar. Fleas that land on the collar are exposed to the insecticide, become immobilized, and die in situ. Their bodies remain on the fur or fall to the ground as the animal moves.
The subsequent locations of the dead insects include:
- The animal’s hair and skin, where they decompose or are removed during grooming.
- The immediate environment (floor, bedding, carpet) where the pet walks, because fleas drop off when the collar’s toxic zone is exhausted.
- Human hands or clothing after handling the pet, especially during brushing or petting.
The insecticide also migrates outward from the collar, forming a “halo” of protection that reaches the surrounding skin and hair. Fleas attempting to crawl past this area encounter lethal concentrations and perish before they can migrate to other parts of the body or to other hosts. Consequently, the majority of fleas are eliminated on the pet itself, with a smaller proportion ending up in the surrounding environment as the animal traverses indoor surfaces.