Why Fleas Live on Pets and Not Humans
Fleas can bite humans, but they live and reproduce on animals, under the protection of fur and feathers. To get rid of fleas, you need to treat your pet and your home.
When you think of fleas, you probably associate them with your pet. Fleas generally live on dogs, cats, birds, or other warm-blooded animals, because their fur and feathers make it easy to hide and reproduce.
Fleas are very small, wingless parasites that bite skin and suck blood to survive.
While fleas don't typically live on human bodies, they can still bite you. A flea can jump up to 13 inches, so it's possible a pet or other animal can transfer them to you.
This article looks at where fleas prefer to live, how long they live, and how to get rid of them.
Can fleas live on humans as well as pets?
Fleas do not live on humans, but they can still bite us. In the United States, the most common fleas are cat fleas. These can live on both cats and dogs. There are also dog fleas, but they are less common in the United States.
Fleas can also live on other mammals and birds, such as rodents and livestock. There are 2,500 different types of fleas around the world.
Fleas are attracted to animals because of their fur or feathers. They can burrow into fluffy bodies to hide and feed. They then lay eggs that eventually hatch after the larva and pupa stages.
This cycle can cause a flea infestation on your pet (or livestock) that will need to be treated.
Fleas do not live on humans because they lack substantial hair like animals, and it's very difficult to reproduce without the protection of fur or feathers.
Can humans get fleas in their hair?
Fleas do not live on humans, but they may jump on your hair if you're sleeping with a pet or bending down to pet them.
Generally, though, flea bites occur near the feet, ankles, and legs by jumping from an infested pet or an item in your home. Fleas can live in carpets, fabric-covered furniture (like sofas), and pet beds.
How long can fleas live on humans?
It is very unlikely that a flea will stay on your body for any substantial amount of time. Humans do not have fur or feathers like other animals and birds. Fur and feathers give fleas a safe place to lay eggs and repopulate without being noticed.
If a flea lands on you, you're likely to wash or scratch it off before it can breed.
Can humans carry fleas from one home to another?
It's rare that a flea will transfer from one body to another. It's more likely that an animal or person will get fleas from areas where animals live and sleep.
It's possible that bringing an infested pet bed into a new home could spread fleas to another source.
Do fleas bite humans?
Fleas can bite people, most often on the feet, ankles, and legs. They may bite three times in a row. This is known as 'breakfast, lunch, and dinner.'
Typically, the initial bites do not cause a lesion in the skin, but once an individual is exposed to the fleas for a longer period of time, they may develop a hypersensitive reaction.
The red marks from a flea bite may last a few days, but they may get worse if you are more sensitive to the bites or if the area becomes infected.
The photo below shows what flea bites on a person with white skin look like.
Do fleas pose any other dangers to people or pets?
Fleas are more than a nuisance. They can actually cause several serious conditions and may be fatal to animals if the infestation is so severe that it interferes with their overall health.
Fleaborne diseases
Fleas can carry several different diseases that may be transmitted during a bite. In the United States, the most common include:
plague (in Western states)
typhus (in Southern states)
cat scratch fever (also called cat scratch disease)
parasites (such as tapeworms)
These diseases, whose incidence rates appear to be increasing due to the effects of climate change, require medical treatment, such as antibiotics or antiparasitic medications.
Allergic reactions
A flea bite may cause an allergic reaction on your skin because your body reacts strongly to the flea's saliva.
An allergic reaction to the bite can cause flea allergy dermatitis. This can result in:
irritated, red skin
extreme itchiness
hives
infection
Allergic reactions to flea bites can also occur in animals. An allergic reaction can cause an animal to scratch their bites to such an extent that their skin becomes raw or they lose hair.
In these cases, you'll need to take your pet to a vet for diagnosis and treatment.
How to get rid of a flea infestation
If you suspect a flea infestation, you will need to treat both your pet and your home. There are several methods you can try to remove fleas.
To remove fleas from your pet
Talk to a veterinarian about the safest and most effective method for flea removal.
Use a flea comb when grooming your pet.
Leave soap on your pet for at least 5 or 10 minutes when giving them a bath.
Use a veterinarian-prescribed flea medication that kills fleas.
Follow the instructions very closely for over-the-counter flea products.
Protect your pet by avoiding the application of flea removal in their eyes, nose, and mouth.
Use gloves and other protective gear on yourself when applying flea removal products.
To remove fleas from inside or outside your home
Wash pet beds and other fabric toys or mats in hot water.
Vacuum thoroughly, then transfer the vacuumed debris to a plastic bag, seal it, and dispose of it outside immediately.
Apply insecticides to baseboards, but make sure the insecticides you're using are not harmful to pets.
Clean all upholstery (furniture, rugs, carpet, bedding window treatments) often.
Close up holes where wild animals may get into or near your house.
Remove debris surrounding your house.
Call a pest control service if you suspect you have a serious infestation of fleas.
Preventing a flea infestation in your home
You can avoid a flea infestation in your home in several ways, including:
checking your pet regularly for fleas
cleaning your pet's sleeping areas
preventing your pet from entering spaces likely to have fleas from other animals, like crawl spaces or barns
The most common reason veterinarians see pets with fleas is that owners stop giving their pets quality flea and tick prevention during the cold, winter months.
Fleas can survive off an animal's body in the summer, but have to be on a body in the winter to survive. That's why it's important to provide year-round monthly flea prevention to your pet to prevent infestations.
Takeaway
Fleas can bite humans, but they prefer to live on animals that offer the protection of fur and feathers. Fleas can also live in the sleeping spaces of your pets, such as beds, carpets, and sofas.
Flea bites are irritating and may also cause a more serious health condition that requires a doctor's treatment.
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