Flea, Tick & Pest Center

Fleas go through several stages of development.

What’s important to know is that all stages pose problems for your pet and home. Flea infestations begin long before you see biting, jumping bugs.

Stage 1 – The Eggs. In a single day, an adult female flea can lay up to 50 eggs. The eggs are not sticky, so they quickly fall off your pet and into your carpet, furniture, pet’s bed and yard. They hatch from 2 to 21 days after they are laid. Then the real problems begin.

Stage 2 – The Larvae. Once the eggs hatch, they are larvae. These nasty little things head for the dark places in your home and feast on flea dirt – flea feces that contains digested blood from your pet. Larvae are almost invisible and settle deep into carpets and furniture. Even vacuuming won’t remove them all.

Stage 3 – The Immature Flea. Immature fleas, or pupae, spend about 8-9 days in their cocoon. They are growing and waiting to emerge…to bite your pet and wreck havoc in your home!

Stage 4 – The Adult Flea. Adult fleas like warm, humid places and stay on the same host pet their entire life. This is the most annoying stage because adult fleas bite, feeding on the blood of your pet.