Flea

Natural Habitat

Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments. They are typically found on hosts (mammals and birds) and in their bedding, carpets, cracks in floors, and other sheltered areas within homes or outdoors where hosts frequent.

Diet & Feeding

Adult fleas are obligate hematophagous parasites, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of their warm-blooded hosts (mammals and birds). Larval fleas feed on organic debris, including adult flea feces ('flea dirt') which contains digested blood.

Behavior Patterns

Fleas are highly agile, known for their exceptional jumping ability (up to 150 times their own height). They are wingless and rely on jumping to find new hosts. Their life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs are laid on the host but often fall off into the environment. Larvae develop in protected areas. Pupae can remain dormant for extended periods, emerging as adults when they detect vibrations, warmth, or carbon dioxide indicating a potential host. They are active year-round indoors.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include discomfort and itchy bites for humans and pets, leading to allergic reactions (flea allergy dermatitis), skin irritation, and secondary infections from scratching. Fleas can also transmit diseases such as murine typhus (via Rickettsia typhi), tungiasis, and serve as intermediate hosts for parasites like dog and cat tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum). There are no known benefits to humans or the ecosystem, as they are primarily considered pests and vectors of disease.

Identified on: 11/3/2025