Flea

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments with pets, carpets, bedding, and outdoor shaded areas with sand or tall grass.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; adults feed exclusively on the blood of mammals and birds.

Behavior Patterns

Flightless but capable of jumping long distances; often bite humans around the ankles and lower legs in 'breakfast, lunch, and dinner' clusters.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include intense itching, allergic dermatitis, and potential transmission of diseases like murine typhus or tapeworms. No known ecosystem benefits.

Identified on: 3/6/2026