Usually, fleas are not considered as a serious threat to humans. However, there are many diseases that are transmitted by fleas. These diseases can cause serious health problems and even lead to death. A person can get a severe allergic reaction to flea bites.
A flea is a small, wingless insect that lives off of its host. They feed on the blood of warm-blooded mammals, including humans. Adult fleas are about 1/8-inch long and have legs that are modified for jumping. They also have a protective cocoon that they leave behind when they find their target. Their hind legs can jump up to eight inches vertically.
Usually, fleas do not stay on humans for long periods of time. They live for about two to three weeks. However, if the flea bites a person for longer than three days, the skin may become infected and the bite will become more painful. Fleas also can bite humans if they latch onto their skin, so it is important to prevent them from getting on your skin. If you think you have a flea infestation, contact a pest control specialist.
A flea will feed on a human for about 12 hours before it lays eggs. The eggs are ovular and smooth. They are deposited on the host’s skin or hair. The eggs hatch in about two weeks, if the conditions are right.
Fleas are usually carried into your home by pets or other animals. However, they are also sometimes brought into your home on clothing or bags. Flea eggs usually fall off of pets when they move around. It is important to get rid of fleas from your home by vacuuming. You can also apply insecticides to kill the larvae and pupae.
The lifespan of the common flea depends on the conditions. Fleas that feed on blood tend to live longer than those that do not. It can take up to eight weeks for an adult flea to die. A flea that does not feed on blood can survive for just a few days.
The adult flea has a body that is thin and covered with spines. It is dark reddish brown to black in color. It has three molts or stages. The larvae are a few millimeters long and have bristles to move around. Fleas can live in carpeting, wood flooring, cracks and crevices, and dark areas of the home. The perfect flea environment includes high humidity, low temperatures, and dark, moist areas.
The female flea can lay up to forty eggs a day. They lay about 500 to 2,000 eggs in their lifetime. If the conditions are right, the eggs will hatch into larvae in about two weeks. The larvae will then transform into pupae, which are more resilient. The pupae are then protected by a sticky cocoon. The cocoon will stay in place until the environment is right for the flea to re-emerge.
Fleas are small insects that are found on most animals, including humans. However, there are thousands of different flea species that live on different types of animals.
