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[[Image:Flea larvae.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Flea Larvae'' <p> Kalumet 2006, Wikimedia Commons]]

[[Image:Flea larvae.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Flea Larvae'' <p> Kalumet 2006, Wikimedia Commons]]

A thorough understanding of the flea life-cycle is important in order to be able to advise owners of adequate treatments to control flea infections on their animals and within the home environment.

A thorough understanding of the flea life-cycle is important in order to be able to advise owners of adequate treatments to control flea infections on their animals and within the home environment.

==1. Adults==

==1. Adults==

Once the adults are on the host, the flea will usually remain for its duration. The adult flea takes frequent blood meals. Around 97% of fleas will feed within 1 hour of finding a host and feed for approximately 10-25 minutes. '''Flea dirt''' (faeces) is produced in large quantities.   

Once the adult flea finds a host it will usually remain. The adult flea takes frequent blood meals. Around 97% of fleas will feed within 1 hour of finding a host and feed for approximately 10-25 minutes. '''Flea dirt''' (faeces) is produced in large quantities.   

The life span of the flea is largely determined by the grooming activity of the host.  Usually the adult flea lives for '''7 to 10 days'''

The life span of the flea is largely determined by the grooming activity of the host.  Usually the adult flea lives for '''7 to 10 days'''

==2. Eggs==

==2. Eggs==

The adult usually lays eggs each day after locating a host, producing around 15 eggs per day.

The adult female usually lays eggs each day after locating a host, producing around 15 eggs per day.

The eggs are ivory white, oval and approximately 0.5mm long. The eggs drop to the ground within hours. In reality this usually happens when the animal makes sudden movements. Flea eggs will therefore cluster in these '''hot spots''' around the house. These areas should be paid particular attention when treating the environment in the case of a flea infestation.  

The eggs are ivory white, oval and approximately 0.5mm long. The eggs drop to the ground within hours. In reality this usually happens when the animal makes sudden movements. Flea eggs will therefore cluster in these '''hot spots''' around the house. These areas should be paid particular attention when treating the environment in the case of a flea infestation.

==3. Larvae==

==3. Larvae==

Newly developed adults do not leave the cocoon straight away.  The '''pupal window''' is the time that it takes for the adult to emerge.  Temperature is a large factor in determining when the adult fleas emerge.  Some fleas may wait several months before emerging

Newly developed adults do not leave the cocoon straight away.  The '''pupal window''' is the time that it takes for the adult to emerge.  Temperature is a large factor in determining when the adult fleas emerge.  Some fleas may wait several months before emerging

Newly emerged unfed adults can survive days without feeding but once they have fed, if they fall off the host they can only survive a few hours[[Category:Fleas|B]].

Newly emerged unfed adults can survive days without feeding but once they have fed, if they fall off the host they can only survive a few hours.

 

 

 

 

 

[[Category:Fleas|B]].

 

[[Category:To_Do_-_Max]]

[[Category:Expert_Review]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]