A flea is a parasite that goes through four primary stages in its life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The entire flea life cycle ranges from two weeks to eight months depending on environmental factors such as temperature, food sources and humidity.
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Egg
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An adult female flea begins laying eggs about two days after mating. These eggs are loosely laid on a host, and usually fall off into the environment where they hatch in about two to three days.
Larva
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A flea goes through three larval phases that last one week to several months. Flea larvae feed on adult flea feces, hair, feathers, dead skin and other organic debris.
Pupa
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Flea pupae mature to adulthood inside of a cocoon they weave in their larval phase. Pupa live in the cocoon for five days to two weeks.
Adult
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Adult fleas emerge from their cocoons when they sense warmth, carbon dioxide, motion and vibrations, all of which tell it that an animal host is nearby. Adult fleas must find a blood meal within their first 30 days of life in order to survive.
Fun Flea Facts
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A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day and produce 1,000 eggs in her lifetime. Fleas can live on dogs for more than 100 days.
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