Exact Answer: Upto 2 Weeks
Each landowner’s concern is a flea infestation, and resolving the problem costs money and time. Fleas may make your home unhappy and unsanitary by preying on your pets and infesting your home. Fleas are parasitic insects that live with a host, although they may also survive for short periods of time without one.
Fleas are more likely to attach themselves to a household pet. They may be brought into your home by your pet dog or cat. You may see evidence of them on your carpet or the body of your pet. Not only on your pets but also on all kinds of surfaces, living and non-living.
How Long Can Fleas Live Without A Host?
Fleas go through four phases in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adult fleas, despite their ability to leap, seldom move vast areas without even a host. Fleas prefer to wait for an opportunity to pounce on a passing animal. Once onboard, they stay until the animal is removed or groomed. Adult fleas only live a few days to two weeks without a host.
Fleas inhabit an average of 8 days on short-haired pets or animals in general, however, they live much longer on long-haired creatures. Fleas rely on their carriers’ blood to develop and breed as adults. They prosper in humid conditions and prefer to procreate where their hosts stop and sleep so that their progeny have enough nourishment. The period of time they can sustain life without a host varies depending on their developmental phase.
| Flea Type | Survival Period |
| Larvae | 11 days |
| Pupa | 5 months |
| Female Adult | 1 day |
| Male Adult | 4 days |
| Young Adult | 2 weeks |
Flea eggs develop in two to three days in a household environment. The speedier they grow, the warmer and also more humid the environment. They can live for longer, but if they don’t develop after two weeks, they will most likely die. But the fact is that extremely dry or cold conditions might harm the eggs and prohibit them from maturing.
Why Do Fleas Survive This Long Without A Host?
Adult fleas need on a host, so when we think of plagues, we frequently think of the thin, brown parasites. Adults, on the other hand, acquire a dependency on the host’s blood and require feeding every twelve hours or more depending on individual survival capability. The good news is that mature adult fleas can only thrive without the need for a host for four days.
Female adults die faster than male adults, frequently within 24 hours of being separated from their host. Males can live for two to four days, depending on their size, their surroundings, and how reliant on the blood source they are.
But since they haven’t developed a blood need, younger adult fleas that haven’t been nourished may take considerably longer without a host. If the circumstances are suitable, immature adults can survive for up to two weeks with no need for a host.
To prevent fleas from entering your home, you should take precautions:
- Take Care of Your Pets and Loved Animals
If you have pets and think that they have fleas, the first step is to cure them. To begin, use a good flea shampoo. Pick a flea comb and a bucket of cleaning solution after that. - Clean the area
Grab a strong vacuum cleaner and start cleaning every floor in your home, including those with nooks where dirt may hide. Ensure that the vacuum bag is discarded as soon as feasible. - Use Excessive Heat and Detergent
To tackle furniture and carpets, rent or buy a steam cleaner to attain hygiene. All furnishings, including your pet’s bed, should be washed. Fleas are killed at all stages by a balance of intense heat and washing with soap and chemicals which destroy flea manifestations.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that fleas are a formidable species that can survive for several weeks in the worst conditions without their food, an integrated flea control approach includes proper cleaning and treatment of the pet as well as the surroundings. With proper treatment, you can get rid of fleas in your house, but it may take a while, specifically if the outbreak is severe.
References
