Flea

Natural Habitat

Fleas prefer warm, humid environments. They are commonly found on mammals and birds, and in bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture, and cracks in floors within homes and other structures.

Diet & Feeding

Adult fleas are obligate blood-feeding parasites of warm-blooded animals, including humans, pets (cats, dogs), and wildlife. Larvae feed on organic debris, including adult flea feces ('flea dirt').

Behavior Patterns

Fleas are wingless insects known for their exceptional jumping ability, allowing them to quickly move between hosts. They have a complete metamorphosis life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Adults spend most of their lives on a host, feeding regularly. Females lay eggs (up to 50 per day) that fall off the host into the environment. Larvae hatch and feed, then pupate in a cocoon. Adults emerge from cocoons when stimulated by warmth, vibrations, or carbon dioxide, indicating a potential host is nearby.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Fleas cause itchy bites, leading to discomfort, skin irritation, and allergic reactions (flea allergy dermatitis) in sensitive individuals and pets. They can transmit diseases such as murine typhus and plague (though rare in developed countries) and act as intermediate hosts for parasites like tapeworms (e.g., Dipylidium caninum). Benefits: In some ecosystems, they contribute to the natural population control of their host animals, but from a human perspective, they are primarily considered pests due to their parasitic nature and disease transmission potential.

Identified on: 11/29/2025