Flea

Scientific Name: Siphonaptera (order) - typically Ctenocephalides felis (Cat Flea) or Ctenocephalides canis (Dog Flea)

Order & Family: Order: Siphonaptera, Family: Pulicidae

Size: 1.5 to 3.3 mm (roughly 1/16 to 1/8 inch) long.

Flea

Natural Habitat

Fleas live on the bodies of mammals and birds. They thrive in warm, humid environments. In homes, eggs and larvae are often found in carpets, pet bedding, upholstery, and floor cracks.

Diet & Feeding

Adult fleas feed exclusively on the blood of their hosts (mammals and birds). The larvae feed on organic debris, particularly the feces of adult fleas (dried blood).

Behavior Patterns

Fleas are excellent jumpers due to powerful hind legs, capable of leaping vertically up to 7 inches. They are wingless parasites that move swiftly through hair or feathers. Their life cycle includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Flea bites cause itching, irritation, and allergic dermatitis in humans and pets. They can transmit diseases such as typhus, plague, and cat scratch disease, as well as tapeworms. Benefits: None known for humans or pets; they are purely parasitic.

Identified on: 2/17/2026