Fleas are pesky little bugs that can be tricky to deal with. But like any creature, they will eventually starve to death if you deprive them of food. You can hope that fleas will go away on their own, but they usually don’t, unless you wait a while!
How long do you have to wait before you can be confident you’ve killed off the last of your fleas?
How long can fleas live without food?
The length fleas can live without food depends on where they are in their lifecycle.
Here are the basics:
- Fleas removed from their host will starve within four days.
- Young fleas that have not been fed before can live slightly longer.
- Pre-emerged adults in their cocoons can remain dormant for more than half a year.
Read on for more information about how long fleas can live without food and if starvation is an effective control method.
How Long Can Fleas Live Without Food
The length of time in which fleas can last without food varies depending on the life cycle stage and environment. We’ll explain below.Â
1. Adults In Cocoons
After they have pupated, adult fleas may stay dormant in cocoons for quite some time. During this state of dormancy, they have a much slower metabolism, which allows them to survive despite not eating.Â
These buggers can last a while.
Depending on the ambient temperature, adult fleas can delay their emergence from their cocoon for up to five months.
Depending on the ambient temperature, adult fleas can delay their emergence from their cocoon for up to five months.
However, when they sense a nearby host, this period of dormancy will end quickly.
Remember, fleas don’t just feed on pets! So just because there are no pets in the house, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing for fleas to feed on! Fleas will infest humans as well as wild animals that may set up residence in an unoccupied house.
2. Unfed Adult Fleas
Adult fleas have to find hosts almost immediately after they have emerged from their cocoons. Without blood, adult fleas that have not fed will starve within a week in any standard household.
Without blood, adult fleas that have not fed will starve within a week in any standard household.Â
Unfed adults might live a bit longer in humid environments, up to 15 days if the temperature is favorable enough. The most favorable conditions for flea survival are extremely humid, cool environments.Â
3. Fleas Without Hosts
Once they have acquired a host, fleas waste no time and begin to feed. After a full day of eating, a previously-unfed flea can have doubled in weight and tripled in soluble protein volume.
Once they have been separated from their host and deprived of food for 12 hours, all of the weight they gained, and nearly all of the protein, is lost.
So, active fleas have to feed every 12 hours.Â
Fleas will generally starve to death after being without a host for four days. When a fledgling flea finds a host, it starts to eat and will cross a dependency threshold after a few days – once it reaches this point, the flea will have to feed constantly to survive.
Fleas will generally starve to death after being without a host for four days.
4. Females Starve Quicker than Males
Fleas are known as anautogenous insects, which means that they have to consume host blood in order to reproduce. What’s more, females have to eat before they lay eggs.
So, females have to eat constantly to maintain their metabolism and produce eggs. They can die in less than 24 hours once removed from a host.
Females have to eat constantly to maintain their metabolism and produce eggs. They can die in less than 24 hours once removed from a host.Â
How Pets Contract Fleas
As we already know, flea eggs can stay dormant for a very long time under several conditions. They can lay dormant in gardens or in your furniture and carpets until they find a host. Fleas will jump as far as they can to get to their host and prefer traveling on household pets, though as mentioned above, they will climb onto humans if they have to.Â
The first sign of a pet flea infestation is when a pet can’t stop scratching itself.
If you notice that your furry friend is constantly itchy and restless, consider examining their skin by parting sections of their fur.
You may find adult fleas in the coat or at the base of the fur. There may even be flea dirt on their bodies, which can also cause irritation.Â
Why Removing Fleas on Pets is Important
Fleas are the leading cause of skin disease in pets and can cause a whole host of issues, ranging from mild itchiness to weeping sores, a strong smell, and scaly skin.
Some pets that suffer from anemia can be killed by fleas if they are not stopped.
What’s more, fleas can transmit tapeworms and other infections to dogs and cats. Remember, they can bite us as well.
Protecting Your Pets from Fleas
When dealing with a flea infection, you’ll need to remember the stages in a flea’s life cycle. You may have to treat your pet and your environment.
But, thanks to modern insecticides, you’ll often only have to treat your pet. Here’s how:
1. Treatments
- Flea shampoo – Flea shampoos work by killing fleas on your pet during bathtime. However, once rinsed off, these products have no lasting effects on pests.
- Spot treatments – Some of the best treatments for fleas. They are highly effective and apply easily, only requiring application once a month. Some products also treat various worm infections.
- Collars & powders – Helpful but not very effective treatments.
- Rinses & sprays – Effectiveness with these products vary. Many have to be used weekly, sometimes more regularly in more severe infections. Rinses must be applied on dry, clean coats at the proper concentrations in order to be effective.
2. Control The Environment
Implementing control strategies is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your pets from fleas. This includes washing your pet’s bedding weekly, vacuuming the carpet several times a week, and spraying kennels, yards, and your house with an adult flea killer.Â
Implementing control strategies is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your pets from fleas.
What Fleabites Look Like
Flea bites are some of the more distinctive bug bites. They appear as little red bumps, often in clusters or rows.
Unlike mosquito bites, flea bites don’t swell much and tend to remain quite small.Â
You might also notice a red ring around the center of the bite.
Bites can often be found around the ankles and legs, though you may also find them under your arms, around your waist, groin, chest, or in the folds of your knees and elbows.Â
Are Flea Bites Dangerous?
Generally speaking, the risk of contracting a disease from a flea bite is very small. However, bacteria can make their way into your body via the bite, causing an infection. The risk of this happening is increased when you constantly scratch at the bite. Infected bites turn red, feel warm, and might secrete pus.
Flea bites may also cause an allergic reaction in those who are sensitive. Symptoms of these reactions can range from shortness of breath to raised welts on the skin.
Furthermore, flea bites can be complicated for pets as well. They may cause allergic reactions or even anemia induced by blood loss. This is why getting rid of fleas is of the utmost importance!
Conclusion
The length of time fleas can live without food varies depending on where the fleas are in their life cycle. It can be anything from a few days to several months. This makes getting rid of an infestation difficult. You may think you’re done but… nope, they’re back!
Often flea infestation can be handled with home treatments, but if it gets overwhelming, call in a pro. We wish you good luck!
