Where and how long do fleas live, how do they reproduce and what do they eat?

Today, approximately 500 specific species of fleas live in the Russian Federation. The most common of them are those insects that live on pets (cats, dogs - Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis, etc.), as well as on rats or humans (for example, Pulex irritans).

About 30 species of these small pests live in private households or apartments. The size of 1 insect is 1–5 mm.

Most people do not know how the different types of fleas reproduce. This and other nuances are discussed in detail below in this article.

Types and size

There are about 2,500 species of fleas in the world that live on animals and birds.

Types of fleas that are more common:

• feline;
• canine;
• human;
• bird;
• rat.

The most common cat flea in the city can also bite people and dogs. The human flea is less common, which is associated with an improved quality of life for people.

The average size of a flea is between 1 and 6 mm. Some types of females after saturation can increase to 1 cm. A fertilized female has a length of up to 15 mm.

The size of the parasite depends on the species. The length of the largest flea reaches 13 mm. This species can be found in North America and only in the habitats of the mountain beaver.

Flea lifestyle

The flea belongs to the order of blood-sucking arthropods. The insect moves by jumping, which can reach 30 cm in height and 50 cm in length. The body of the parasite is flattened laterally and covered with bristles; this structure allows it to move quickly in the animal’s fur. There is a sensory organ on the abdomen that signals the approach of a potential food source and a change in temperature.

Where live

Most often, fleas can be found on dogs and cats, so it may seem that the animals harbor parasites. In reality, warm-blooded animals and humans serve only as a source of food for fleas.

After feeding on blood, the insect jumps off the cat or dog to find a place to breed. In the apartment, parasites live in animal bedding, long-pile carpeting, and the floor. In nature, fleas choose places close to animal habitats. These could be holes, bird nests, garbage dumps, basements.

Flea life cycle, reproduction and development

Stages of flea development.
The life cycle of an insect consists of the following stages:

1. Egg.
2. Larva.
3. Doll.
4. An adult, or imago.

The female, after being saturated with blood, which is necessary to reproduce, mates with the male. After fertilization, she lays 4-10 eggs. The eggs are fired over a long distance - this method of laying allows future larvae not to compete for food sources and increases the likelihood of survival.

2 weeks after laying, larvae emerge from the eggs and eat the feces of adult insects, blood residues, and organic matter. At favorable temperature and humidity, the larva can emerge from the egg in 2 days. Before the formation of the pupa, the larva goes through 3 stages of molting. The time it takes for an adult to emerge from a pupa depends on environmental conditions and ranges from 1-2 weeks to 1 year.

Reproduction rate

With good nutrition, fleas multiply quickly: a female can make 2-3 clutches per day, that is, lay up to 30 eggs per day. But more often she has enough strength to make one clutch of eggs. During her life, the female lays up to 500 eggs, after which she dies.

How fleas are fertilized and reproduce

How are fleas fertilized and reproduce? They have a specific reproductive system.

Mating of similar insects Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis or Xenopsylla cheopis lasts a maximum of 10 hours. They almost always copulate with each other after they have drunk a large amount of blood from a particular host.

What is the reproduction rate of various flea species (Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides canis, Xenopsylla cheopis, etc.)? After mating with the male, the female flea begins to lay eggs. Then she puts away up to 10 pieces at a time.

The total number of flea eggs from 1 female is more than 500 pieces per 1 life cycle. Such small pests copulate with each other in comfortable conditions.

Females breed in dust, on various rags, certain woolen products, genital crevices, dog kennels, clothes or other places hidden from prying eyes.

Flea eggs are covered with a white shell and also have an oval shape. They are similar to grains of rice, but are significantly smaller in size.

How long do they live?

The lifespan of fleas depends on environmental conditions. Under favorable conditions, some species live up to 18 months. The average life expectancy is about 2-3 months. When the temperature rises to +35 °C, adults and larvae in the cocoon die, their life expectancy does not exceed two weeks.

When the temperature drops to 0 °C, adult individuals die after 5 days. Eggs and larvae will not develop at air temperatures below +13 °C.

Eggs are less sensitive to low temperatures, at which they do not die, but go into suspended animation. The egg can remain in this state for a long period, since the cocoon protects it from dehydration and exposure to low temperatures.

In the laboratory

In laboratory conditions, subject to temperature conditions, humidity and regular provision of a food source to insects, the lifespan of a flea is 5-6 months.

On an animal

The lifespan of a parasite on an animal depends on its self-care skills. The likelihood of lingering on the fur of a young animal is higher than on an adult animal. This is due to good immunity, structural features of the skin and hair, and better hygiene skills in an older animal. After a week, the cat or dog destroys half of the insects that have fallen on the animal’s body. After 3 weeks, 90% of the parasites are destroyed.

Life expectancy without food

In the absence of a regular food source, an adult can live 2-3 months. The parasite needs food for reproduction; while maintaining their activity, they cannot increase their offspring.

Features of reproduction

Fleas are small in size. The length of their flattened body can reach only 3–5 mm. The length of the female during gestation reaches 10 mm . Already on her first birthday she is ready to reproduce. To do this, she just needs to be full.

The genital organs of fleas are complex. During mating, the female climbs onto the male's back, retracts his genitals and sucks the seed into herself. Mating of parasites can last from several minutes to several hours. Sexual intercourse occurs where the female finds a male.

Mating and reproduction of fleas in cats occurs on the litter, near their resting area or toilet. Sometimes fleas even lay eggs on a cat's fur.

In order for the eggs to mature, the female must eat well. After each feeding, up to five eggs mature. She puts them anywhere so that they fly away from each other at a considerable distance. This is a kind of guarantee that the hatched larvae will not compete with each other when searching for food.

Long-lived fleas

The longest life expectancy is that of the Tien Shan flea, which parasitizes wild animals living in the northern regions. The average lifespan of this species is about 1 year. During the cold season, the flea's vital processes slow down; in this state, it can live up to 14-16 months. When comfortable conditions arise, the insect returns to active life.

Developmental cycle of the human flea.

Stages of transformation of a flea into an adult insect

The offspring produced by the female will go through several stages of development before they become sexually mature and ready for reproduction. Ectoparasites that live in the fur of domestic animals go through the following cycle of several stages:

1. egg stage;
2. larval stage;
3. pupal stage;
4. imago.

From a biological point of view, the most difficult stage is the transformation from an egg into a viable larva. For the development of an insect, appropriate conditions are required. They can be called ideal if parasites develop in the fur of warm-blooded mammals.

What diseases do fleas carry?

All types of fleas can be carriers of infectious diseases.

The most common infections include:

• plague;
• yersinosis;
• pseudotuberculosis;
• typhus;
• salmonellosis;
• tularemia.

Pathogens enter the human bloodstream through saliva when bitten. The rat flea is the most common carrier of infection, as it parasitizes rats, which spread diseases.

What is a flea?

A flea is an insect that can parasitize and suck blood not only from animals, but also from people, which is why they pose a great danger. The parasite is quite small in size, not reaching more than 5 mm. Fleas are dark brown in color, but there are also individuals painted bright black.

Attention! If you notice at least one flea in your apartment, then immediately begin taking measures to destroy the insects. Otherwise, you will lose time during which the parasites will be able to create huge colonies.

The insect's body has many identical bristles, with the help of which it can easily catch on the hair or fibers that are on the carpet or human clothing. The flea has a very flattened body, so it is very difficult to notice with the naked eye. The insect has several legs, which allow it to jump very far and high. And also, thanks to its bristles, the flea will not fall from the human body, even if it takes a very strong tilt.

The image shows how a flea works.

How they bite

Flea bites.
When a flea comes into contact with the skin, it makes a puncture on it. Since it does not have a proboscis, in order to get to the blood vessel, the insect spreads the skin and penetrates deep into the skin.

After a bite, saliva enters the wound, which contains substances that prevent blood clotting. At the moment of a bite, an animal or person feels a sharp pain, after which a small wound appears on the skin with redness around it.

How bloodsuckers get into an apartment

Will fleas live in the apartment in winter or not? Most likely not, because they are more likely to start in residential areas in the summer or autumn. At the same time, they often inhabit the lower floors of apartment buildings or private households.

Ground-like insects inhabit very dusty rooms or abandoned various buildings.

The fleas Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides felis or Ctenocephalides canis enter an apartment or private house in this way:

• from the entrance of an apartment building;
• enter the home from neighbors;
• they are brought in by domestic animals;
• They infect a certain home with various rodents.

If the basement is always damp, then flea breeding often begins in this place. After all, the most common human flea, Pulex irritans, loves dampness. Also, these small pests multiply quickly inside well-heated living spaces.

If a person does not ventilate his apartment for a long time, and there is always a lot of garbage in it and sunlight does not enter inside, then the bloodsuckers Pulex irritans quickly infest and multiply in this home.

Due to their small size, these parasites enter the home through small cracks in the apartment.

In addition, various species of fleas (for example, Ctenocephalides canis, etc.) do not always live on their host. They live comfortably on baseboards, floor crevices, linoleum, carpet, as well as on pieces of furniture, clothing or a variety of soft toys.

Video

Flea infestations of your pet and home

Ways to fight

First you need to find the source of the parasites. If these are pets, then the wool should be treated. If insects have entered from the basement, then it is necessary to seal all visible cracks in the floor and walls and treat the room with insecticidal agents.

Chemicals

The chemicals that make up flea products act on their nervous system, blocking the transmission of nerve impulses, after which paralysis and death of the parasite occurs.

For home disinfestation, products in the form of an aerosol, powder or chalk are suitable . During treatment, it is necessary to evacuate people and animals living in the premises. After measures to destroy parasites, ventilation and wet cleaning are carried out.

Flea remedy “Kombat Super Spray”.

Room treatment products:

1. “Combat Super Spray”. The product is available in the form of a spray that contains imiprotrin and cefenothrin as active ingredients. The spray has a low level of toxicity, but can cause poisoning in animals and children. The aromatic additives included in the composition eliminate the unpleasant odor of insecticides.
2. "Clean house". The insecticide is available in spray and powder form and contains tetramethrin and cypermethrin. The spray is sprayed in areas where fleas are expected to live; it has a toxic effect only on adult fleas, but does not destroy their eggs. The powder should be diluted with water before use. Using a spray bottle, treat surfaces in the house with the resulting solution.
3. "Executioner". An insecticidal agent whose action is due to the substance fenthion. Fenthion, when sprayed, enters the respiratory tract of the parasite and kills it.

Animal treatment products:

1. Entomozan. Antiparasitic agent containing cypermethrin 10%. The product is suitable for treating the hair of domestic and farm animals.
2. Stronghold. The product is used to kill fleas and prevent re-infection. The active substance selamectin blocks the activity of nerve cells of parasites and leads to their death. The drug is applied topically to the animal’s skin in the withers area.
3. Comfortis. Available in the form of tablets for oral administration. The active substance spinosad, entering the parasite's body with food, causes paralysis of its nervous system and death.

Comfortis flea repellent for animals.

Traditional methods

Folk remedies for killing fleas are not as effective as preparations based on chemical compounds, but in situations where it is not possible to use chemicals, you can use folk methods of getting rid of parasites:

1. Impact of temperatures. In winter, you can leave your apartment with the windows open for a day to create a negative temperature in the room. In summer, bedding and items with long pile can be hung in the open sun for 2 days.
2. The smell of wormwood or tansy. In places where insects are expected to be located, you can lay out herbs, the pungent odor of which is unpleasant for fleas.
3. Treating carpets with salt. When salt comes into contact with the integumentary membrane of the parasite, it becomes dehydrated and dies. Salt must be sprinkled onto the carpet, rubbing it to the base of the pile. Leave the carpet in this form for 3 days and then vacuum it.

Signs of the presence of fleas in the apartment

Parasites do not live permanently on their “hosts”. Having eaten, they jump off the pet and settle in the house. In an apartment, fleas can be found behind old furniture, under carpets, in cluttered corners or rooms, and in cracks in the floor.

The fact that parasites have settled in the house can be recognized by bites, which are characterized by the following symptoms:

To prevent the bite from itching and inflammation in its place, it is recommended to treat the wound with an antiseptic, cool it with ice or vinegar and lubricate it with anti-itch ointment.

You can tell if your pet has fleas by its behavior:

At the early stage of infection of an animal, parasites live on the tailbone, stomach and head. They also like to live in the intermaxillary space and neck.

Preventive measures

Home remedy for fleas.
Following simple recommendations will help prevent fleas from appearing in your home:

• wash domestic dogs and cats with a special shampoo and use preventive means to combat parasites;
• when visiting the forest, wear clothes that cover exposed areas of the body as much as possible;
• avoid contact with street animals;
• regularly clean the room with a vacuum cleaner of soft surfaces;
• wash clothes in hot water and store them only after they are completely dry;

It is also recommended to regularly remove debris from basements.

Routes of infection

Fleas are brought indoors either by pets or by rats and mice, where they fall from dirt and leaves lying on the ground. Once indoors, they will settle on carpets, furniture, house plants, and draperies. A warm and humid habitat is ideal for them. Cold temperatures slow down their life cycle, so summer is the ideal time for them to reproduce and develop.

Fleas can also migrate from neighboring infested premises, from building basements and entrances.

How quickly does a family of parasites replenish?

During her entire life - 2 years, the female lays 500 eggs. The entire development cycle takes on average 1 month. Under unfavorable conditions, this takes 6–12 months. We can say that flea reproduction is a very fast process. Because cats are surrounded by all the necessary conditions: temperature, humidity, lack of bright light. At temperatures of 20–30 degrees Celsius, they feel great, but temperatures above 35 degrees frighten them. At 45 degrees, insects die. They tolerate low temperatures much better if unfavorable conditions overtake them in the pupal stage. In this situation, development slows down and can take up to 1 year.

Another interesting fact is that an adult insect can go without food for a year, but will not lay eggs.

Other varieties

In this case, only those creatures that may appear in the apartment are of interest. These include rat, dog, basement or earthen, chicken. How do these fleas reproduce? Simply put, there is nothing unusual. The whole process is repeated and there are no differences. Only the speed of transformation may be different. Since the optimal temperature is 20–23 degrees Celsius and 60% humidity. Any deviation from this norm speeds up or slows down evolution. But the whole danger for cats is that in the absence of true victims, for example, rats, dogs, chickens, they will definitely move on to them.

Where do fleas live on the street?

Fallen leaves, grass in the shade under bushes and trees are ideal places to attack animals

Outdoors, fleas live in tall grass, sand, garbage and other places where they can find shelter and where there is sufficient moisture. Therefore, tall grass in the bush area is ideal for them to go through all three stages of development. In addition, animals often like to hide in the shade on hot days - exactly in those places where fleas live.