| There are
thousands of species of flea (Order Siphonaptera).
Fleas have one of the most repulsive reputations as they are
parasitic to us (humans). There are four stages to
a fleas life: egg, larvae, pupae and adult flea. Eggs
often fall off the host into the host nest (pets bedding,
human bedding). The larvae then feed on dead organic matter
- dead skin, flakes of food scraps etc. Once the larvae has
grown, it forms a pupae before becoming an adult.
The adult pupae may stay dormant for up to a year.
Usually vibrations trigger the flea to hatch out (a host
passing).
This is why some people report being attacked by an
infestation of fleas. If the person enters a site where
fleas have been dormant for some time, the vibrations can
trigger a mass hatching and an "attack". On top of this,
they may be bitten by adult fleas that can go for as long as
four months waiting for a feed.
Not all flea problems are so severe, problems may come
from a family pet picking up a flea and bringing into the
house. People can also transport fleas into premises. Flea
problems can quickly develop as the flea will then start to
drop eggs - often near the hosts bedding areas.
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