Understanding the Flea Life Cycle

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Did you know that 95% of a flea infestation is not on the pet but in the home, in the form of developing fleas? As new fleas can develop in as little as 14 days, it is important to understand how to break the flea life cycle.

Click on the numbered sections below to find out about each stage of the life cycle.

FLEA EGGS

• Each female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, which fall off pets into the home
• In fact, just 5 fleas on an untreated pet can lead to more than 1 million eggs infesting the home in just 4 weeks!*

FLEA LARVAE

• Eggs hatch into larvae which move away from light into carpets and cracks in the flooring, where they feed and grow.

FLEA PUPAE

• After spinning themselves into cocoons, flea larvae become pupae, before fully developing into new fleas
• Fleas emerge in the presence of a pet or person, but can remain dormant for up to a year.

FLEAS

• When stimulated, new fleas hatch out of their protective cocoons and jump onto a pet to feed
• They take their first blood meal within minutes, then start breeding and laying eggs.

* Based on untreated pet having 5 fleas not being groomed off, each laying 50 eggs per day, developing into new fleas in 14 days and new fleas jumping on and laying more eggs - for illustration purposes only.