How Are Fleas Produced? Analyzing the Origin of Fleas
Fleas are holometabolous arthropods of the order Siphonaptera, with short, thick antennae and sharp mouthparts used for sucking, a broad abdomen, and well-developed, sturdy hind legs; both males and females feed on blood. The larvae are legless and cylindrical, living freely, with chewing mouthparts, feeding on the blood feces of adult fleas or organic matter. Let's take a look below at how fleas are produced!
How Are Fleas Produced?
Fleas are small, wingless, jump-capable parasitic insects. Adults usually live on mammals, and a few on birds. Adults can go 12 months without eating anything, and whenever there is an opportunity they obtain nutrients by sucking blood. They can lay eggs under the fur of animals, and will also lay eggs on fabric and carpets. Fleas outside the animal's body will starve to death if they cannot suck blood, but the eggs have an eggshell for protection and can survive the winter, hatching when spring comes and the flowers bloom, then returning to parasitize animals. So when there are pets such as cats and dogs at home, it is best not to use carpets; carpets hide dirt and grime and are also a hotbed for fleas. In addition, outdoor lawns are also a hotbed for fleas to lay eggs, because dogs and cats both move around on the grass.
How Long Is the Lifespan of a Flea?
The lifespan of a flea is about 50 days. Fleas have very strong adaptability and survival ability. After a female flea lays eggs on a dog's body, those eggs will fall to the ground, sofa, carpet, or even the bed, and within 1 to 10 days the eggs can hatch into larvae. Flea larvae mainly feed on some organic debris, and under suitable temperature and humidity they will form pupae within one to two weeks. In spring, the flea life cycle takes about 35 to 40 days, in summer 17 to 21 days, and in late summer it extends to two months or longer. From November to March, because the weather is colder, flea larvae will reside inside the pupae for up to ten months, only metamorphosing into adults in spring.
What Should You Do If There Are Fleas at Home?
1. Thoroughly clean the home environment with a vacuum cleaner, especially the places where pets often sleep. After vacuuming, wrap the garbage in the vacuum cleaner's garbage bag with a plastic bag and throw it out of the house. Usually a vacuum cleaner can remove 50% of flea eggs.
2. Use adulticides such as carpet powder, sprays, etc. to kill fleas remaining in the environment. Note that spray should also be used to clear invisible dead corners such as under furniture. When choosing products, take other conditions in the home into consideration.
3. To prevent flea eggs and larvae from growing into adults, it is necessary to use flea sprays containing ingredients that control larval growth. Many products have both functions: they can kill remaining adults and also stop larvae from growing.
4. The bedding in pets' nests at home should be cleaned once a week, and the area near the pet nest should also be sprayed with a spray used for environmental treatment. At the same time, do not forget to treat the car, the carriers used when pets go out, or other places pets often go.