Fleas are tiny, blood-sucking parasites that cause irritation long after they’ve bitten. While fleas are commonly linked to animals, they can also turn up in commercial settings, carried in on furniture, shipments, or clothing. They breed rapidly, burrow deep into soft furnishings, and can transmit diseases and parasites to people and animals. Getting on top of an infestation early makes a real difference.
Fleas are tiny, reddish-brown insects with flat, oval-shaped bodies around one-eighth of an inch long. They don't have wings, but their powerful hind legs make them exceptional jumpers. Their bodies are covered in backward-pointing spines that help them cling tightly to fur and fabric. There are over 2,500 flea species worldwide, but the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is by far the most common in homes and commercial buildings in the U.S.
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As long as they can find a suitable host to provide warmth, food, and shelter, fleas can survive and thrive virtually anywhere.
Outside, fleas prefer the shade and cannot tolerate the sun for long. They live in trees, shrubs, and tall grass, waiting for hosts, like raccoons, foxes, and squirrels, to come along. When a stray animal or pet brings them inside, they’ll hide in textiles and pet bedding.
Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on mammals, including humans and pets. Most species have preferred hosts, such as cat or dog fleas, but they’ll feed on any warm-blooded animal when necessary. Adult fleas feed daily, using sharp mouthparts to consume up to 15 times their body weight in blood. Conversely, larvae do not feed directly on blood; instead, they survive on organic debris, skin cells, and adult flea dirt.
Fleas go through four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs hatch within days, and larvae spin protective cocoons before emerging as adults. The full cycle can take just a few weeks or stretch to a year, depending on temperature and host availability.
Fleas are semi-active around the clock, though more so at night. They're drawn to body heat, movement, and carbon dioxide. Without a host, adults survive only one to two weeks, but with regular access to blood, they can live up to 100 days or more.
Flea activity peaks in spring and summer when warm, humid conditions help eggs and larvae develop fast. Numbers can drop in winter outdoors, but in heated buildings, fleas can remain active and keep reproducing year-round if hosts are present.
These are persistent pests, and tough to clear out with DIY methods alone because eggs and pupae can survive most treatments. A professional approach targets every life stage—adults, larvae, and eggs—across all the hidden spots they love. Treating pet bedding, carpets, and other furnishings at the same time gives you the best chance of breaking the cycle for good.
Outside, fleas prefer shaded, moist spots where they can wait for a passing host. You'll find them in tall grass, leaf litter, wood piles, under decks and porches, and around shrubbery. They don't do well in direct sunlight or open, dry areas.
Fleas most often hitch a ride in on pets, but they can also come in on clothing, shoes, or wildlife that's found its way into your building. Once inside, they quickly spread into carpets, furniture, and bedding before you've had a chance to notice them.
Yes, they can. Heated indoor environments give fleas everything they need to keep breeding through winter. As long as there's a host available and conditions are warm enough, fleas won't slow down just because the temperature drops outside.
Professional flea control combines targeted insecticide treatments for adult fleas, with growth regulators that stop eggs and larvae from developing. Technicians will treat carpets, furniture, and pet areas. Vacuuming regularly before and after treatment also helps speed things up.
Most treatments start working within a few days, but you might still see some fleas for two to four weeks after the initial treatment. That's actually normal. Pupae can be resistant to treatments and may emerge afterward. A follow-up visit is often recommended to make sure the infestation's fully resolved.