Flea

Scientific Name: Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea, common indoors), Ctenocephalides canis (dog flea), Pulex irritans (human flea)

Order & Family: Siphonaptera (order), Pulicidae (family)

Size: 1.5 to 3.3 millimeters (0.06 to 0.13 inches)

Flea

Natural Habitat

Found on warm-blooded animals (pets, wildlife) and in their environments, such as carpets, bedding, and cracks in floors.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on the blood of mammals and birds.

Behavior Patterns

Highly mobile, able to jump relatively large distances. Females lay eggs in suitable host environments. They are often found on hosts or pet bedding.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include being a vector for diseases (e.g., murine typhus, plague, Bartonellosis) and causing skin irritation, itching, and allergic reactions (flea allergy dermatitis) in humans and pets. Can cause anemia in severe infestations, especially in young animals. No known significant benefits to humans.

Identified on: 9/3/2025