How Long Can a Flea Live Without Feeding
Without access to blood from a host, adult fleas may survive anywhere from a few days to two weeks. Fleas require a significant supply of blood to survive.
Fleas Draw Blood for Food
A flea's diet involves ingesting a tremendous amount of blood, often many times the flea's body mass. People are most familiar with flea infestations in common household animals, such as dogs and cats. These insects will feast on other hairy creatures, including rats, possums, and other wild animals.
Fleas may infest a home and find themselves drawn to a cat or dog's fur. They "make a home" in the pet's fur and then utilize the pet as a host. Fleas won't look at humans as a preferred host since humans lack the necessary fur that accommodates the insects.
A home with pets needs to be careful about flea infestations, as fleas will come through windows or any other entranceway when a host lives inside the property. Of course, when cats and dogs run around in the yard outside, the chance exists that fleas will jump on them.
Humans aren't preferred hosts, but that doesn't mean hungry fleas won't feed on humans. After all, fleas don't want to starve to death. Fleas may find a safe haven in carpet fibers and then jump on human ankles and elsewhere to feed.
Getting rid of carpets and rugs seems like a plan when fleas end up inside a house. Please don't think fleas won't live on wooden floors, though. Once they get into a house, they won't go away until killed, live out their lifespan, or starve to death. Fleas, of course, reproduce. As older ones die off, new ones take their place.
Over the Counter Solutions
Various products promote the ability to kill fleas, such as flea powders or sprays. Some may opt to use these solutions while also relying on a flea comb. Combing off the fleas and dipping the comb into a glass of water with dish soap may prove cumbersome, but it helps get rid of fleas.
Stronger over-the-counter medicines may kill fleas, such as liquids absorbed through the skin. Pet owners need to follow directions closely.
A veterinarian could inject a pet with a treatment that makes a dog or cat inhospitable. A veterinarian may provide the strongest treatment.
Poisoning Fleas
Sprays and foggers could kill fleas, but these products are poisons and come with dangers. Foggers come with fire hazards, for example. Follow directions closely.
How Long Can a Flea Live Without Feeding
Without access to blood from a host, adult fleas may survive anywhere from a few days to two weeks. Fleas require a significant supply of blood to survive.
Fleas Draw Blood for Food
A flea's diet involves ingesting a tremendous amount of blood, often many times the flea's body mass. People are most familiar with flea infestations in common household animals, such as dogs and cats. These insects will feast on other hairy creatures, including rats, possums, and other wild animals.
Fleas may infest a home and find themselves drawn to a cat or dog's fur. They "make a home" in the pet's fur and then utilize the pet as a host. Fleas won't look at humans as a preferred host since humans lack the necessary fur that accommodates the insects.
A home with pets needs to be careful about flea infestations, as fleas will come through windows or any other entranceway when a host lives inside the property. Of course, when cats and dogs run around in the yard outside, the chance exists that fleas will jump on them.
Humans aren't preferred hosts, but that doesn't mean hungry fleas won't feed on humans. After all, fleas don't want to starve to death. Fleas may find a safe haven in carpet fibers and then jump on human ankles and elsewhere to feed.
Getting rid of carpets and rugs seems like a plan when fleas end up inside a house. Please don't think fleas won't live on wooden floors, though. Once they get into a house, they won't go away until killed, live out their lifespan, or starve to death. Fleas, of course, reproduce. As older ones die off, new ones take their place.
Over the Counter Solutions
Various products promote the ability to kill fleas, such as flea powders or sprays. Some may opt to use these solutions while also relying on a flea comb. Combing off the fleas and dipping the comb into a glass of water with dish soap may prove cumbersome, but it helps get rid of fleas.
Stronger over-the-counter medicines may kill fleas, such as liquids absorbed through the skin. Pet owners need to follow directions closely.
A veterinarian could inject a pet with a treatment that makes a dog or cat inhospitable. A veterinarian may provide the strongest treatment.
Poisoning Fleas
Sprays and foggers could kill fleas, but these products are poisons and come with dangers. Foggers come with fire hazards, for example. Follow directions closely.