Cat Fleas Life Cycle

Fleas mean cat misery.

Fleas are parasites that feed on a cat's blood for survival. The bites irritate the cat, causing it to scratch. More significantly, the bites can lead to infections and lower the immunities in a cat. Fortunately, once a flea infestation is detected, prompt treatment of the feline and its environment can control the situation. Understanding the flea life cycle can explain why and how to treat for an infestation.

Eggs

According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, an adult flea can lay as many as 500 eggs in batches of 3 to 18 eggs at a time over the course of several months. Flea eggs look like tiny white dots and easily fall off the cat onto the floor, ground or furniture.

Larva

In anywhere from 1 to 12 days, the eggs hatch into larvae, which resemble worms or maggots. In this stage, the fleas survive in dark places, such as between couch cushions, in bedding and buried in flower beds, consuming adult flea excrement or dead animal or plant materials. During this stage of development, they actively move around but generally stay close to the area where the eggs hatched.

Pupa

Depending on the temperature and humidity, the larva will form a cocoon out of whatever material it can find in the area, mixed with a sticky excrement, in a week to a month from the time it reaches this larva stage. The cocoon is also known as a pupa. While in this stage, the flea is dormant and immune to chemical treatment. It hatches by means of external vibrations, such as closing doors, television sound or the crash of thunder.

Adult

When the cocoon breaks open, the adult flea emerges. It will look for a new host within a week and start reproducing a couple of days later. Depending on the environment, the life cycle of a flea can last from two weeks to two years. The more constant the temperature and humidity, the longer the flea is apt to live.

Treatment

Because the flea life cycle is significant and its breeding environment includes both cats and the environment the cat lives in, it is necessary to treat both the feline and the house and yard if the cat has outdoor access.

Flea Trivia

Fleas can spread diseases, such as typhus and the plague, to humans.

Because fleas prefer hot, humid temperatures for breeding, people tend to see more adult fleas in August through September.

The insect measures about 1/16 inches and is dark brown in color. Their bodies are laterally compressed and they are adept at holding onto the host.

Vacuuming and cleaning bedding can remove fleas in all stages, but it will also act as a vibrator to hatch pupa into adults.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Fleas
• Pest Control Supplies: The Life Cycle of the Flea