What Are Fleas Attracted to?

Fleas are a frustrating pest, you might want to know what are fleas attracted to, their diminutive stature and remarkable nimbleness make elimination a challenging prospect.

Even worse, fleas can spread deadly bacterial infections like murine typhus. As a result, an infestation may result in serious issues for you and your pets.

There is hope, though, as you can simply alter your strategy to get rid of these bothersome invaders. Find out what are fleas attracted to first, though.

 

What are Fleas?

Before we get to know what are fleas attracted to, let us know what fleas are. Fleas are annoying parasites that feed on blood and can cause painful bites to the skin and flesh of the ankle.

Although they’re little, their bites can cause a lot of pain if they happen to you or your pet. They pierce their prey with their mouths to draw blood for sustenance.

There are many types of fleas, all of which lack wings, but the most frequent ones are the cat flea, the dog flea, the human flea, and the unnamed flea.

The cat flea and the dog flea are the two most prevalent types of fleas found in homes and on pets. Despite its rarity, the human flea is nevertheless a problem for many people today.

 

Read also: How to Get Rid of Fleas on Mattress

 

Different Types of Fleas

When searching for answers to what are fleas attracted to, you need to first consider the different types of fleas. Below are the different types of fleas.

 

1. Cat Flea

The common flea is one of the most common insects worldwide. The length of an adult is about 1-2 mm, and it is a ruddy brown color.

Although cats are the preferred hosts for cat fleas, these pests will also bite dogs if given the chance. It’s not just cats and dogs that this flea feeds on.

 

2. Dog Flea

The dog flea lives primarily on dogs, although it can also infest cats. Dog fleas can be much more deadly than normal since they transmit the flea tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum.

Humans and domesticated animals alike are susceptible to this sickness.

 

Read also: Does Heat Kill Fleas?

 

3. Human Flea

This flea, despite its common name, feeds on more than only birds. Similarly to the dog flea, this type of flea can be highly harmful since it spreads disease.

Fleas are small insects, measuring just 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch in length, and they are often a dark brown or black color.

Having a tube-like mouth is crucial for sucking blood from their prey. The flea is one of the finest jumpers of any known animal, with a vertical leap of up to 7 inches.

What this means is that fleas have extremely long legs, which aid in producing tremendous jumps. Fleas have a straightforward life cycle. The female often deposits 20 or so eggs at a time onto the host.

It may take anywhere from two days to two weeks for the eggs to hatch. As soon as they hatch from their eggs, they begin devouring vegetation, insects, and even their own feces.

Because of their lack of sight, they prefer to remain in enclosed spaces with low lighting.

Within a week or two of developing into pupae, fleas begin spinning a silk cocoon to protect themselves as they wait for adulthood.

They sleep soundly throughout this time, waiting for a host to pass by so they can feed. After only two weeks, this infant has matured into a full-fledged adult.

As an adult, the flea’s next step is to look for a meal. A flea’s primary concern at this point in its life is finding a new source of blood.

In place of true muscles, fleas use a protein called resilin to store their energy. A flea’s body is extremely durable, making it difficult to crush or step on one.

The flea’s only chance of death is to be rolled around in your fingers a dozen times, which will break his legs. Now that you know the different types of fleas, let us get to know what are fleas attracted to below.

 

Read also: Why Do Fleas Bite People? | Reasons Exposed

 

What Are Fleas Attracted to

We will get to know what are fleas attracted to below, read on to know about it.

 

1. You are a major contributor to wildlife access to your property.

What are fleas attracted to, Fleas are common on rodents, deer, and other wild animals. And if your house seems like a good place for them to hang out, they will find a way in.

They may be attracted to your property due to water puddles and trash lying around. The fleas they bring with them when they visit your yard.

Rats and mice may be drawn to piles of junk in the yard because they provide convenient hiding places.

Of course, if they do manage to get into your home, they’ll probably make themselves at home, which means more fleas.

Putting up a fence around your property may be recommended by a flea control specialist. Keep the neighborhood rodent- and scavenger-free by following proper rubbish disposal procedures.

Remove all standing water and other potential breeding grounds for pests around your property.

 

2. You Don’t Do Much To Maintain Your Yard

Mow your lawn frequently to maintain it looking neat and tidy with short grass. The flea population will explode if there isn’t enough shade for them to congregate.

Even if your furry buddies enjoy spending time outside, you’ll have less to worry about in terms of flea infestation.

Fleas love the tall grass and weeds that tend to grow there. The presence of both moisture and ample shade attracts them.

They thrive in the long grass that results when you neglect to trim your yard. They can also lay their eggs in the crevices of dead twigs and leaves.

Do your best to keep your yard clean so that pests don’t take up residence there. Debris removal eliminates breeding grounds for these pests in your yard.

 

Read also: How Long can Fleas Live Without a Host?

 

3.  You Don’t Get Regular Treatment

Insecticides alone may not be enough to eliminate flea larvae. If you want fast results, you’ll need to make an appointment with your exterminator.

Adult fleas can be eliminated with a single treatment, but the larvae may survive. The life cycle can be maintained with just one female adult flea that lays eggs.

Fleas can, contrary to popular belief, survive the winter months. However, these bugs adjust to the freezing temperatures by hibernating for several weeks.

They will begin to reproduce and hatch when temperatures are more consistent. They will quickly proliferate, potentially wreaking havoc on your household.

Accordingly, be on the lookout all year round to eliminate these pests before it’s too late. Flea infestations spread rapidly and can be difficult to treat.

Therefore, flea treatment shouldn’t be done only once. It is easiest and quickest to get rid of these pests by planning regular treatments.

 

How to Treat Fleas

They are several approaches to treating fleas. Below is how to treat fleas

 

1. Treating Fleas in Human

A human flea bite is usually treatable with an anti-itch treatment containing antihistamines or corticosteroids.

 

2. Treating Fleas in Pet

Flea ointments and treatments are breeds- and species-specific, so you’ll have to shop for either cats or dogs at the vet or pet store.

Your pet can be treated in a variety of ways, including oral medication, veterinary care, flea washes and baths, topical ointments, and more.

 

3. Treating Fleas in House

Flea infestations in the home can be quite difficult to eradicate. Fleas are the most difficult pests to eradicate because they breed rapidly and have strong “skin.”

 

In Conclusion

It is better to know what are fleas attracted to in other to know how and when to get rid of them. Hope with this article, you were able to know what are fleas attracted to and how you can treat them.

Let us know your thought about fleas and what are fleas attracted to in the comment section.

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