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EGG STAGE
On their host or within your pet's fur, a single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs in a day. Flea eggs are not sticky and oftentimes tend to fall off onto the pet's bedding, carpet, or any other environments pets frequent, potentially leading to an in-home infestation. Depending on if conditions are favorable, flea eggs hatch between 1 to 12 days, so time is of the essence.
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LARVAE STAGE
Once hatched, flea larvae are worm-like and avoid light by burrowing into carpets, bedding, and crevices. They feed on organic debris and flea feces, also known as "flea dirt." The larval stage typically lasts for about 5-11 days.
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PUPAE STAGE
By spinning a cocoon around itself, the flea larvae now develops into a flea pupae. The pupae can stay dormant for a few days up or even up to several months, depending on environmental conditions. During this period, the pupae is resistant to insecticides, making it challenging to eliminate them completely.
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ADULT STAGE
When conditions are optimal, the adult flea emerges from the cocoon. They are attracted to vibrations, warmth, and exhaled carbon dioxide, prompting them to jump onto nearby hosts, like your pet. They feed on the host's blood and begin the reproduction cycle, laying eggs within 24-48 hours of their first blood meal. The life span of an adult flea can range from a few weeks to several months, with continuous reproduction if not addressed.
Health risks of fleas
Severe Itching & Discomfort
A flea bite can lead to excessive scratching, itching, and skin irritation. In some cases, pets may suffer from an allergic reaction to flea saliva and develop flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), causing more itching, irritation, and possibly infection.
Disease
As fleas jump on their host to begin biting and feeding, they could transmit various diseases to pets, including Bartonella (cat-scratch disease) and even bubonic plague in rare instances. If a pet swallows a flea infected with tapeworm larvae, they may also be at risk of tapeworms.
Tapeworms
Fleas are intermediate hosts for tapeworms. When pets groom themselves, they run the risk of ingesting fleas. And in doing so, they may also ingest tapeworm larvae, leading to a tapeworm infestation. These parasites can steal vital nutrients from your pet's body, leading to malnutrition and other health issues.
In-Home Infestations
Fleas are prolific breeders, and an untreated infestation can quickly spread throughout your home, impacting your family members as well. Fleas can also bite humans, causing itchy red bumps.
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EGG STAGE
The lifecycle begins with the female tick laying thousands of eggs in the environment, usually in moist, sheltered areas such as leaf litter or soil.
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LARVAE STAGE
In this stage, the eggs hatch into tiny, six-legged larvae known as "seed ticks" and appear very small and flat in appearance. Ticks seek out small hosts, such as rodents or birds, to feed on their blood. After feeding, they detach from the host and molt into the next stage.
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NYMPH STAGE
After molting, the nymph emerges with eight legs. Nymphs are still relatively small but larger than larvae. They begin to seek a larger host, such as mammals or larger birds, for their second blood meal, and after feeding, they detach and molt into the final stage.
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ADULT STAGE
The final stage is the emergence of the adult tick with its full-size and eight legs. Adult ticks seek larger hosts, including mammals like deer, dogs, cats, and even humans. After feeding on blood, the females engorge significantly, sometimes reaching many times their original size. Mated females then drop off the host to lay eggs to complete the lifecycle.
Health risks of ticks
Discomfort and Irritation
When ticks bite, they inject saliva into the host to prevent blood clotting, causing local irritation, redness, and itching. Repeated tick bites can lead to discomfort and even allergic reactions in some pets.
Anemia
In cases of severe infestations, especially in young or small animals, ticks can consume enough blood to cause anemia, which is a condition characterized by a low red blood cell count. Anemia can lead to weakness, lethargy, and other health complications.
Secondary Infections
When pets scratch, bite, or irritate the tick bite site, it can lead to open sores, which may become susceptible to secondary bacterial infections.