Why do fleas appear in rooms? - briefly
Fleas enter indoor areas mainly via pets, rodents, or humans that carry them, attracted by warmth, humidity, and available blood meals. Effective control requires treating host animals, thorough cleaning, and preventing re‑infestation.
Why do fleas appear in rooms? - in detail
Fleas are wingless insects whose life cycle includes egg, larva, pupa and adult stages. Eggs are laid on the host or in the surrounding environment; larvae feed on organic debris, especially adult flea feces, before forming cocoons that develop into adults capable of jumping long distances.
Primary sources of indoor infestation are domestic animals such as dogs and cats, which carry adult fleas and deposit eggs in bedding, carpets and cracks. Wild rodents or birds entering homes can also introduce fleas. Transportation of infested animals, luggage or second‑hand furniture moves parasites between locations.
Survival inside a room depends on temperature, humidity and host availability. Temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C and relative humidity of 70 %–80 % accelerate development from egg to adult. Presence of a suitable blood‑feeding host sustains the adult population and stimulates egg production.
Spread occurs through several mechanisms:
- Jumping allows adults to reach hosts within a few meters.
- Fleas attach to clothing, shoes or pet accessories, enabling relocation to new rooms.
- Movement of infested items (bedding, rugs) transports cocoons and larvae.
Control measures focus on interrupting the life cycle:
- Regular treatment of pets with veterinary‑approved insecticides.
- Thorough cleaning of carpets, upholstery and cracks to remove eggs and larvae.
- Use of environmental insecticides or steam cleaning to kill pupae.
- Maintaining humidity below 50 % reduces larval survival.
Eliminating the infestation requires simultaneous treatment of hosts and environment, followed by continuous monitoring to prevent re‑establishment.