Flea Larva
Scientific Name: Ctenocephalides felis (most likely common household species, Cat Flea)
Order & Family: Order: Siphonaptera, Family: Pulicidae
Size: 2 to 5 mm (approx. 1/8 to 1/4 inch) in length
Natural Habitat
Dark, protected areas such as carpet fibers, bedding, floor cracks, and upholstery where organic debris accumulates. They shun light.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on organic matter, primarily 'flea dirt' (dried blood from the feces of adult fleas), dead skin cells, and other organic debris found in carpets or bedding.
Behavior Patterns
Flea larvae are negatively phototactic (they actively move away from light). They crawl deep into carpets or cracks to spin cocoons and pupate. They do not bite humans or pets.
Risks & Benefits
Risk: They signal an active flea infestation that requires treatment. While larvae do not bite, they mature into blood-sucking adults that cause itching, allergic reactions, and can transmit tapeworms.
Identified on: 3/2/2026