The Flea Life Cycle — Understanding the Stages from Egg to Adult

Fleas are tiny insects that can infest homes in large numbers. They are known to attach themselves to their host body and feed on their blood. In Merriam, coming across them is standard, as is the case with many other pests. 

There are different stages that a flea goes through, including egg, larva, then a cocoon called pupa, and finally the last stage, an adult. Their lifecycle can be short or long depending upon the kind of environment they receive or grow in. In a favorable climate, their lifecycle can be completed really fast. 

You need to get them out if they infest your place. Your pets are not safe from them either. Fleas can attach themselves to your pet’s body and even lay eggs there. The eggs will even hatch if they receive proper humidity. Those larvae can also feed on blood. 

There are various things that one can do to prevent their infestation. You need to have a basic idea of what kind of pest you are dealing with. To keep your home pest free in Merriam, you will have to contact a professional. 

What does the lifecycle of a flea look like?

There are various stages that are included in the lifecycle of a flea; we will look at them below:

Laying eggs on the host body

Once fleas find a host, they will start feeding on their body. They will have their blood meal and will also lay eggs in the fur. It can be a dog, a cat, or some other animal. The eggs will hatch anywhere from 1-10 days after laying them. The temperature and humidity have to be correct.

Freely moving and entering the larval stage

Once they come out of the egg, they are going to enter the larval stage. They are free-moving, and they can feed on the blood. They might also feed on the feces of fleas so that they can keep their development going.

Turning into a cocoon

After this, in five to twenty days, those larvae will start making cocoons. The stage after this is the pupa stage. This cocoon keeps the pupa protected from any harsh conditions outside. 

Even if a repellent or insecticide is used, they will still remain protected. They stay in this stage for several weeks, and then, finally, adult fleas emerge.

Finding the host 

The fleas that are now adults will not come out of the cocoon until they have a host in the nearby areas. They can sense body heat and can even detect movement. This will let them know that they have a blood meal in a nearby location. 

Feeding off the host 

It only takes a few hours when female fleas finally start to feed from the host they have. After this, the females will begin mating with the male fleas. Then, the females will start producing eggs again. In this way, the cycle will keep on continuing. 

What are some tips to prevent flea infestation?

There are various things that can be done to fight flea infestation. You should know that these pests usually infect dogs and cats. To keep your pets free from fleas, you can do different things:

• You need to put a limit on how much time your pet spends time outside. 
• Please keep your pets clean and bathe them regularly. 
• Do not let your pets come in contact with wild animals or else they can get fleas.
• If you think your pet has fleas, do not make assumptions and take your pet to the vet.

How can pest control provide help?

Pest control services can do many things to keep your pets and your home safe from pests. They can eliminate pests and reduce the likelihood of them infesting your place again. Thus, consider contacting them on time and getting those pests out. They have the tools and experience needed to deal with the infestation.