Fleas are small wingless insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. Unfortunately, fleas do not naturally leave humans alone and will happily bite and feed on us given the opportunity. However, there are steps we can take to discourage fleas from biting and minimize their impact.
Do fleas prefer animals over humans?
Fleas evolved to live on animal hosts and prefer feeding on furry mammals like dogs, cats, rodents, and wildlife. Human skin and blood does not offer the ideal habitat for fleas to thrive. However, in the absence of their preferred hosts, fleas will readily bite and feed on humans.
Why do fleas bite humans?
Fleas bite humans for two main reasons:
- They are opportunistic feeders. If their preferred hosts like pets are not around, fleas will happily take a blood meal from humans.
- Their preferred hosts brought fleas into your home. Fleas can hop from pet to human easily, especially at night.
Will fleas bite humans if no pets are around?
Yes, fleas are perfectly capable of infesting a home even without pets present. Some ways this can happen include:
- Fleas or their eggs may be brought in on clothing or bags
- Wild animals like raccoons or opossums with fleas may nest near or enter the home
- Neighborhood pets may introduce fleas into the yard
Without a furry pet host, the fleas will seek out humans for their blood meals.
Do fleas live on humans?
Fleas do not live long-term on humans. Our skin and blood does not provide the right habitat for them to survive between feedings. However, they can live on humans temporarily if another host is not available.
How long can fleas live on humans?
On average, fleas can survive on human blood for:
- Adult fleas: 1-7 days
- Larvae: Up to 14 days
- Eggs: Can remain dormant for up to a year
Without their preferred host, the flea life cycle cannot be sustained long-term on humans alone.
Will fleas eventually leave humans alone?
Unfortunately, fleas will not spontaneously leave humans alone. Without intervention, they will continue to bite. However, there are several strategies we can use to encourage fleas to leave us alone:
Remove access to human blood meals
- Treat infested pets
- Block access to nesting wildlife
- Seal cracks and entry points in the home
Treat the environment
- Vacuum and wash bedding, furniture, and rugs
- Use flea spray on yards, under porches
- Apply diatomaceous earth to carpets and floors
Repel fleas from human skin
- Apply flea repellent lotions before going outside
- Take short, hot soapy showers after exposure
- Treat bites with anti-itch ointments
Conclusion
Fleas prefer to feed on furry animal hosts but will happily bite humans in their absence. While fleas cannot live long-term on humans, they can survive for 1-2 weeks without another host blood source. Discouraging fleas requires an integrated pest management approach of treating infested pets, disrupting the flea life cycle, and repelling them from human skin. With diligence, it is possible to get fleas to leave humans alone and focus their biting on other hosts.