Flea Larva

Natural Habitat

Found in dark, protected areas where pets sleep or frequent, such as deep in carpet fibers, crevices in hardwood floors, pet bedding, and upholstered furniture. They avoid light.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on organic debris, particularly 'flea dirt' (dried blood excreted by adult fleas), dead skin cells, and other organic matter found in dust.

Behavior Patterns

They are negatively phototactic (avoid light) and actively burrow deep into substrates like carpets or bedding. They spin a cocoon to pupate before emerging as adults.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They are a precursor to an adult flea infestation which causes itchy bites, allergic dermatitis in pets and humans, and can transmit tapeworms or diseases like Bartonella (cat scratch disease). Benefits: None for humans or domestic environments.

Identified on: 3/10/2026