If your pet is constantly scratch and their skin is peppered with teensy black dose , they likely have flea — plaguey parasites that can live for a couple weeks or even several months .
For both dog and cats , flea can be a nuisance and even a wellness hazard . And once your positron emission tomography is infested with fleas , it can be tricky to get rid of them . So it pays to know a matter or two about these tiny , blood - fellate louse , and how to forestall them from latching on to your pets — and infiltrate your home — in the first place .
“ sympathise the flea sprightliness cycle is all important for efficaciously dealing with an infestation , ” tell Dr. Lisa Lippman , conductor of practical medicinal drug atBondVet . “ know each level helps in targeting treatments and preventing future outbreak . ”
4 Stages of the Flea Life Cycle
Flea Egg
After feast on a host ’s blood — that is , your pet ’s blood — adult female fleas will mate and set out layingeggs . These tiny , white - ish eggs are small , rarely growing more than 0.5 mm ( 1/50 - inch ) . That ’s about the size of it of a speck of sand .
Fleas reproduce rapidly . It ’s estimated that a distaff flea can place about 40 nut each day . This help explain how a few fleas can apace stimulate an plague . These eggs can train anywhere from 2 - 12 days , depending on environmental conditions , Dr. Lippman explains . Flea bollock lean to hatch more rapidly when it ’s warm and more humid .
Flea nut represent about 50 percent of the entire flea population in an infested home — and they can be found just about any space where your favourite lead in the house . “ Flea eggs are typically found in pet bedding , carpet , and furniture , ” Dr. Lippman says .
To get free of flea ball amply , favorite parents involve to treat their darling for fleas , and also thoroughly clear their home by vacuuming , and put linens , upholstery , and bonk into the laundry .
Flea Larvae
Once flea eggs break , they become larvae . These worm - like organisms appraise about ¼ of an column inch . The larval stage is the 2nd part of the flea life story cycle . These larvae develop over several weeks after consuming a rightfully gross mixture : digested roue that grownup fleas poop out , known asflea dirt .
Flea larva make up about 35 pct of the flea universe living in an infested house .
Flea Pupae
After think of from eggs , flea larvae commence spinning cocoon around themselves in about 5 - 20 days . This is the third part of the flea living cycle cognize as the pupal stage .
“ get flea can remain in a cocoon ( pupal stagecoach ) for several days to hebdomad , and up to several month if conditions are unfavourable , ” Dr. Lippman says . “ Cocoons are found in rug , under furniture , and in crevices . ”
What entices an adult flea to finally egress ? According to Dr. Lippman , “ vibration , carbon copy dioxide , and body heat from a potential host ” will entice adult flea to emerge from their cocoons .
Flea pupae comprise about 10 percent of the entire flea population in an infested home .
Adult Fleas
The last part of the flea life bicycle is the grownup stage . Adult fleas are pocket-size , sinister brown and flat - bodied , and they have anamazing ability to jumpfrom the ground onto moving targets .
Once flea pupae issue from their cocoons as adult fleas , they almost directly begin to feed , teammate , and consist eggs .
“ full-grown flea begin to feed within minutes of finding a host and can start lay eggs within 24 - 48 hour , ” Dr. Lippman suppose .
fully grown fleas can live on their hosts for several weeks . Amazingly , they only represent about 5 percent of the flea population in an infested home .
How to Break the Flea Life Cycle
Wondering how to dampen the flea spirit cycle and get rid of fleas once and for all ?
“ Breaking the flea cycle involves consistent treatment of pets with flea preventatives , thorough cleanup of the home , and maybe professional pest control , ” Dr. Lippman say . “ It can take several weeks to month to fully eradicate flea . confer with with a pest pro can be good for severe infestations . ”
There are many dissimilar flea treatments for positron emission tomography , including topical treatments , oral medicinal drug , and even flea dog collar . Some of these treatments also target other parasites like ticks . accord to Dr. Lippman , it ’s “ important to apply products recommended by veterinarians to ensure base hit and effectuality . ” If in doubt , consult your veterinarian .
Besides treatment , pet parent can follow skillful exercise to help keep their pets — and by extension , their home — flea - spare . “ Regular grooming and washup of darling , frequent lavation of pet bedding , hoover rug and article of furniture , and maintaining a clean environment can help oneself keep darling flea - free , ” Dr. Lippman says . “ Additionally , plow the railyard and outdoor expanse where pets play can forestall fleas from enter the plate . ”
