Temperatures above 85 degrees encourage the dormant state, but when the temperature hovers around 70 degrees, fleas will begin hatching in very large numbers. They can live in a warm house all year round. In the fall, pets begin getting their winter coats making them ideal homes for fleas to feed and breed.
As a matter of fact, autumn tends to be one of the worst times of the year for flea infestations, because these pesky little bloodsuckers actually thrive in cooler weather, becoming an even bigger problem than they were in spring and summer.
You might be asking yourself will fleas eventually go away? While some could last 2 – 3 weeks, they could also live for up to 12 months on the host it finds, so it is unlikely they will go away on their own. Fleas can also reproduce very quickly by laying eggs in carpet, bedding, or garden prolonging the infestation.
Fleas are also attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide produced by their hosts, which can increase their activity at night. In general, fleas are most active at night and during the early morning hours, and this is often when pet parents notice flea bites.
Fleas prefer warmer conditions but they can be active year-round so that's why using prevention throughout the year is essential.
Fleas in the pupae stage can lie dormant for quite some time—anywhere from a week or so up to a full year, if conditions are right—before emerging from the cocoon as an adult flea, ready to feed, mate and lay eggs.
Summer is one of the most active times for fleas and ticks, with some of the worst season being fall, in September, October, and November. Research has shown that the number of fleas on cats and dogs is 70% in the fall when compared to the spring season.
Flea season can last anywhere from 6-9 months to all year round in some states. Fleas love warm temperatures, so your season can start early in spring and last until September, October, or November.
Fleas have a complex life cycle. At some stages of their life cycle they are resistant to insecticides and other flea control products. In order to get rid of fleas in all stages of the life cycle, two or more follow-up treatments within 5-10 days after the first application are needed.
Fleas are not attracted to some people, but other people are highly susceptible. Additionally, some people in flea-infested households may experience severe irritation from flea bites while others show no signs. Fleas bite people most often on the legs and ankles.
Only treating the fleas you see
Eggs hatch within 21 days and the larvae settle into fabrics like furniture and carpet. Here they will feast on dead skin cells and hair. Since 95% of the flea's life is spent outside the adult stage, flea infestations can take a long time to eradicate.
As eggs hatch and develop, you might find fleas reappearing 10-14 days after treatment - this is quite normal and provided the insecticide remains in place it will kill them. This is why it is important not to carry out cleaning which might remove insecticide.
These pests are very hard to get rid of. Fleas have flattened bodies so they can move through the fur of their hosts easily. They also have very strong exoskeletons, making them very hard to crush. They also leap out of danger quickly and are very small, so if they do get away they are hard to find again.
Your Heat and Air Conditioning Betrays You
As long as a home is between 70 and 86 degrees (and pity the fuel bills for any homeowner who keeps the thermostat up that high), fleas will thrive.
Consistent vacuuming is the most crucial step in eliminating fleas in your home. Repeated vacuuming will be needed to get rid of all the eggs, larva, and pupae. Wash any bedding or blankets your dog has come into contact with in hot, soapy water.
According to extensive studies conducted at Ohio State University, vacuuming is indeed an effective way of getting rid of fleas! Through these studies, scientists discovered that vacuuming killed 96% of adult fleas from carpets and 100% of the flea pupae and larvae.
Ladybugs: these colorful cuties love to feast on soft-bodied bugs like fleas. And did you know? A mature ladybug can eat an average of 50 insects a day! Nematodes: These guys are small worms that feed off flea larvae.
For every six fleas seen, there are 300 adult fleas actually present. If animals are not present, fleas will opt to hop onto humans. They thrive best in indoor climates. The presence of adult fleas is just the tip of the iceberg.
Fortunately, washing your clothes, bedding, rugs and other textiles is an effective way to kill fleas in any of the four life stages, thanks to the chemicals in the detergent along with the heat and turbulence encountered during washing and drying.
Citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, and rosemary will all naturally repel fleas. If your dog doesn't mind a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of your chosen essential oil into a 300ml-400ml of water and spray directly onto your dog's coat.
It can take up to 3 months to break a total flea life cycle by using monthly flea treatments. For indoor flea control, vacuuming all floors, carpets, baseboards, pet bedding and furniture will help remove adult fleas and eggs.
At What Temperature and How Quickly Do Fleas Die? Adult fleas die at temperatures colder than 46.4°F (8°C) and hotter than 95°F (35°C). Immature fleas, which refers to both flea eggs and larvae, are slightly more susceptible to the cold, dying at temperatures below 55.4°F (13°C).
Without a host like a cat or a dog, fleas can live anywhere between a few days and two weeks, but they can lay eggs that make the infestation last longer.
So, even if the treatment kills all fleas on a pet within 24 hours, for example, the next day new hitchhiker fleas could jump onto the pet. These new arrivals will themselves take up to 24 hours to be killed.