If you’ve ever had to deal with fleas, you know that they are notorious for two things – their itchy bites and their persistence! Once they’ve entered your backyard or chosen your pet as their host, it can be incredibly hard to get rid of them. Understanding the flea life cycle can help you develop a solid plan to protect your pets and rid your backyard oasis of these annoying little biters once and for all!
Understanding the Four Stages of the Flea Life Cycle
There are four stages of fleas: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. To better understand how to get rid of fleas, it’s important to understand what happens during each stage, how long each stage lasts, and how long fleas live overall.
Egg Stage of the Flea Life Cycle
The flea life cycle starts with an egg stage. It starts when an adult female flea lays a batch of eggs. Each batch contains up to twenty eggs, and each female can lay multiple batches over the course of her lifespan. This is part of the reason why it can be hard to eliminate fleas once you get them. They reproduce so quickly!
Eggs usually hatch within two weeks, with some hatching in only two days. The conditions of the environment, specifically the humidity levels and the temperature around it, determine the time spent in this stage.
Larva Stage
The next stage of the flea life cycle is the larva stage, which takes five to fifteen days. During this stage, fleas hide from light in places like carpets or soil. They feast on decaying organic matter, including flea dirt or adult flea feces.
Pupa Stage
After the larva stage is the pupa stage. Here, fleas will spin into a cocoon like a butterfly, remaining for weeks or months. They will emerge from the cocoon when it is warm enough or alerted by the vibrations of the movement of a host.
Adult Flea Stage
The final stage of the flea life cycle is the adult stage. This stage can last up to three months, and its primary focus is for fleas to reproduce. Within 48 hours of their first meal, female fleas start to lay their eggs and the cycle repeats itself.
Summarizing, fleas continue to live and procreate, unless the flea lifecycle gets interrupted or the environmental factors are no longer favorable.
Environmental Factors Influencing the Stages of Flea Development
A flea’s life cycle is highly dependent on the environment around it. They thrive in warm, humid environments, typically between 70 and 85℉. Anything warmer is too hot, and anything colder will encourage them to lie dormant or die.
Preventative measures are one of the most important steps of the dos and don’ts of pest control. Some preventative measures include investing in flea and tick prevention medications for pets and often checking them for signs of infestation. We recommend seeking out flea pest control from a professional at Mosquito Joe at the first sign of an active flea life cycle in your yard.
Disrupt the Flea Life Cycle with Outdoor Flea Control and Prevention
It’s important to take steps to prevent fleas outside. Maintaining a clean and well-trimmed yard will help control flea and insect habitats and aid in disrupting the life cycle of fleas. Remove any debris or leaf litter as soon as you can to prevent any unwanted critters from thinking it’s an open invitation to move onto your property.
You can also invest in eco-friendly or traditional pest control measures to stop infestations before they start. These types of treatments will often control any existing eggs or larvae while also repelling any new fleas from thinking your home is the place for them.
Invest in High-Quality Pest Control Treatments
When DIY methods aren’t covering it, call in the professionals! Our Mosquito Joe® services can help you rid your home and property of all types of pests, including all stages of fleas!
Our friendly and knowledgeable service professionals will prepare a plan to control pests that will protect everyone in your home, from little children to furry friends! Plus, all of our work is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can rest assured that we’ll get the job done right.
Control itchy flea bites before they happen. Request a free estimate from your local Mosquito Joe today!
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
