BIOLOGY

The female flea deposits her small, white eggs loosely on the host's hairs, feathers, or surrounding habitat. These eggs easily detach from the host and can be found on the ground, floors, bedding, or furniture. In the span of several months, some fleas can lay up to 500 eggs by laying batches of three to 18 eggs at a time. The tiny eggs hatch within one to 12 days after being laid. The hatched larvae, resembling white worms  prefer darkness and primarily feed on dried adult feces. However, they may also consume deceased animal remains and other organic matter. In approximately seven to 14 days, assuming food has been abundant, the larvae complete their third stage of development and proceed to spin a small cocoon (as shown in Figure 4) where they enter the pupal stage. After about a week, the adult flea emerges from the cocoon and embarks on its quest for a blood meal.

Fleas can remain in the pupal stage anywhere from five days to five weeks when hosts are absent. They emerge as adults when vibrations from pets or humans signal the presence of a potential host. This explains why people returning to an unoccupied home may suddenly find themselves under attack by a swarm of fleas.

For reproduction, adult fleas rely on blood meals, but they can survive extended periods without feeding. Fleas tend to thrive and reproduce where pets typically rest, and individuals near these areas are also susceptible to flea bites. When fleas infest a home, they will feed on both humans and pets, often targeting the ankles and lower legs.

The so-called "sand-flea" is essentially a regular flea that breeds outdoors in the soil. Contrary to popular belief, fleas cannot go through multiple generations without consuming blood.



The complete life cycle of a flea can range from two weeks to two years. Egg laying is favored during hot and humid summer months, while hot and dry periods promote maximum adult production. Consequently, the highest populations of adult fleas typically occur in August to September.