The Many Aspects of The Flea Life Cycle

Flea life cycle duration

By definition, the life cycle duration is the time it takes for a newly laid egg to become, in turn, a female flea laying its first egg.

In the case of fleas, this time varies widely, depending on:

• External temperature and humidity conditions. Ideal conditions are 95°F (35°C) and more than 70% relative humidity
• The moment when the pupa leaves its dormant phase.

Flea pupae: from 5 days to one year

The pupa is the critical stage when it comes to life cycle duration. It is the stage when fleas undergo their metamorphosis toward the adult stage. Flea metamorphosis lasts 5 to 9 days, depending on temperature and humidity conditions.

However, pupae can remain in their cocoon as pre-emergent adults, on the lookout for a suitable host animal. This waiting period can last up to a year.

Adult fleas: 2 days

Adult fleas take their first blood meal within an hour of arriving on their host, mate within 12 hours, and lay their first eggs within 36-48 hours. Since temperature conditions are stable in the animal's coat, there is no variability in this lifecycle stage.

If not swallowed by a dog or cat when grooming, adult fleas can live for a 100-day period, during which females continue to lay up to 25 eggs a day.

Flea eggs: 1 to 10 days

A flea egg hatches fastest at 95°F (35°C) and over 70% relative humidity. The further away from these values, the longer it takes for the eggs to mature. Dry air and freezing temperatures lead to egg death.

In addition, a flea egg runs the risk of being eaten by a predator: an insect, a spider, or a flea larva.

Flea larvae: 5 to 11 days

Like eggs, larvae are dependent on environmental conditions: temperature and humidity.

Their speed of growth also depends on the quantity of food they can find. They eat all organic debris but are especially fond of flea dirt (flea excrement with high blood content) and flea eggs. They can also be preyed upon by other flea larvae or insects.

Life Stages Distribution

We don't want to dramatize the situation here, but you should be aware that for every flea you see on your pet, there are many more that you haven't noticed:

• on average, a close examination of the coat will reveal only 5%-10% of the adult fleas present on the animal
• adults represent only 1-5% of the flea population

It means that for every adult flea you notice on your pet, there are at least 200 living near you!

Impact on flea control strategy

When dogs or cats have a flea problem, the pet owner has to choose from a large arsenal of antiflea products. But first, to control the flea infestation, she has to select the stage to target in the flea cycle.

1. Flea eggs are sensitive to many products belonging to the insect growth regulator class. These flea products prevent the eggs from hatching. They are very effective. But eggs are spread all over your home, and you can't expect to reach them all.

2. This is about the same situation for larvae. The larval stage is also sensitive to any insect growth regulator or insecticide. There is a complication, however: flea larvae are mobile and tend to hide in dark and deep places. It makes them very difficult to reach with any chemical or to remove by cleaning.

3. The pupal stage is the most difficult to reach. Like larvae, pupae reside deep in carpets, upholstered furniture, or wooden floor cracks. In addition, their cocoon, surrounded by organic debris, prevent any chemical from coming into contact.

4. The adult stage is the obvious choice! You know where to find the adults: they are all on the animal's coat. Moreover, you can choose from a wide range of (very) effective flea control products against them.

But, because the adult flea reproduces in abundance and quickly, the treatment must be 100% effective and fast-acting.

That is why a complementary treatment with an insect growth regulator is worth considering.