Fleas are small insects that feed on the blood of mammals (humans included) and birds. A full-grown adult flea can reach approximately .13 inches and can be seen by the naked eye but do a great job at hiding. Fleas are reddish brown and can look a bit like a freckle. The flea life cycle has 4 stages (egg, pupa, larva, adult) and usually lasts 3 – 4 weeks. In ideal circumstances, when heat and humidity are ideal, the egg to adult stage takes 12 – 22 days.
Adult fleas live for about four to six weeks. Females begin to lay eggs a day or two after feeding and can lay between 20-40 eggs each day. Keep in mind that adult fleas only make up about 5% of the total population of fleas.
Once fleas find a host, bedbugs will begin to nest and reproduce.
Fleas can live about 3 weeks without a food source. However, this does not mean that fleas and their eggs will die in your home and not return. If there is food available, they will feed, and you and your pets will know that fleas are in your home.
Fleas can remain dormant for many months while waiting for a host. The cocooned flea senses motion, heat, and carbon dioxide and will only emerge when a host is detected. This explains why you can go from seeing no fleas to suddenly seeing tons of fleas.
