The Flea's life cycle

In their lifetime, fleas go through several life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult flea (imago).

The life cycle begins with the female flea laying eggs. Fleas prefer dark, humid and hidden places.

It's very common that the flea lays its eggs on the choosen host (cat, dog, rabbit) but, because the flea's eggs are oval shaped they easily roll onto the ground. That's because the areas where the host lives, sleeps and rests are often infested with fleas too. Usually it takes from two days to two week for the eggs to hach.

After the flea larvae has emerged from the eggs it seeks any available organic material for feeding. Because they are blind, they avoid sunlight, prefering dark and hidden places. That's why sunlight is one of the most powerful tools aginst fleas!

After 3 larval stages the larvae usually goes into the next phase (pupae) and weaves a silken cocoon. After that, within 1 to 2 weeks, the adult flea is developed and leaves the cocoon.

It's interesting, though, that they sometimes rest during this pupal period waiting for the right host to appear. It's even possible for fleas to overwinter in the larval or pupal stage.

After the flea has fully developed it must find fresh blood to feed itself, because without it reproduction is not possible. There is a timeframe of around 1 week from the time they have emerged from the cocoon to find fresh blood.

Once fresh blood is found, adult fleas can survive even a year without food.

Usually the total life cycle of the flea lasts some two weeks, but if the environment is favorable it can last a couple of months.

During their life time fleas can lay around 500 eggs and more.

Before choosing a flea repellent, make sure it's effective against all four flea's life stages, that it's 100% efficient in killing fleas and that is very quick acting. All this is needed to break the flea's life cycle.

Frontline plus for cats has all the required components. That's why is the most popular flea repellent on the market.

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