Flea

Natural Habitat

Fleas typically live on warm-blooded animals (e.g., pets like cats and dogs, wildlife) and in their bedding, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and cracks in floors. They thrive in warm and humid conditions.

Diet & Feeding

Adult fleas feed on the blood of their hosts (hematophagy). Larval fleas feed on flea feces (digested blood) and organic debris.

Behavior Patterns

Fleas are wingless insects known for their exceptional jumping ability, allowing them to move quickly between hosts. They have a complete metamorphosis life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adults are attracted to warmth, movement, and exhaled CO2 to locate a host. They tend to be more active in warmer months.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Flea bites can cause itchy red bumps, skin irritation, and allergic reactions (flea allergic dermatitis) in humans and pets. They can transmit diseases such as murine typhus and tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) to pets and, less commonly, to humans. Severe infestations can lead to anemia, particularly in young or small animals. Benefits: Fleas offer no direct benefits to humans or the ecosystem, generally considered pests.

Identified on: 11/3/2025