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Fleas Facts & Worksheets

Fleas are insects that are considered parasites. They are known as ectoparasitic, which means they live outside their host. They are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds.

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Fleas are insects that are considered parasites. They are known as ectoparasitic, which means they live outside their host. They are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds.

See the fact file below for more information on Fleas, or you can download our 27-page Flea worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • Fleas are tiny insects that thrive on sucking the blood of their host; for this reason, they are called parasites. 
  • Specifically, fleas are ectoparasites, meaning they live on the exterior of their host.
  • Fleas, unlike other insects, do not have wings. However, they can easily transfer from one place to another through their long hind legs, which makes them excellent jumpers.
  • Fleas have six legs and have a reddish color. Their bodies are oval-shaped, and this allows them to move swiftly through their animal host’s fur.
  • Fleas can be as tiny as 0.1 to 0.32 cm.
  • Fleas are everywhere, and they can survive in different climates. 
  • They prefer dark, humid, and warm places. 
  • Outside, they stay on shrubbery and tall grass. In the home, they like to settle in carpentry, upholstered furniture, and bedding before they find an animal host to feed. 
  • Fleas are active day and night. Therefore, female fleas can lay eggs anytime.
  • Fleas’ primary food is animal blood. They feed on their animal host while hiding in the animal’s fur or hair. 
  • Fleas, if they cannot feed on animal blood, eat feces, decaying plants, and dead animals.

LIFE CYCLE

  • The lifecycle of a flea has four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Their lifecycle takes from a couple of weeks to one month, depending on the environmental temperature and humidity. 
  • Blood is essential for fleas to reproduce, so they need to find an animal host. 
  • After taking the blood meal, adult fleas will mate. The female adult begins laying eggs which fall off as the animal host moves. The eggs scatter in the host’s fur. 
  • The fleas’ eggs take two days to two weeks to develop. Eggs are about 50% of the entire flea population present in their current home or host. 
  • When the temperature and humidity levels are high, the eggs hatch faster. 
  • The next stage involves the larvae, which are blind. They survive by eating the flea’s dirt or pre-digested blood that adult fleas pass and other organic debris in their host or environment.
  • The larvae can be up to 1/4 inch long and are white. They make up 35% of the flea population, and if the conditions are good for them, they will spin their cocoons in five to twenty days. 
  • The third stage is the cocoon or pupa stage. The cocoon serves as the pupa’s protection for days or weeks before it becomes an adult flea. 
  • These cocoons have a sticky outer coating, which allows them to hide and not be easily removed from their host. 
  • The adult flea will emerge from its cocoon once it feels the vibrations of its host when the host makes movements such as walking. It is also triggered by the levels of carbon dioxide and body heat. 
  • Once the flea emerges, it will start feeding. Shortly after its first meal, it will begin to breed and lay eggs in a few days.

SPECIES

  • There are more than 2,000 flea species in the world. Despite this, only a few can affect people’s health.
  • The most common species is the cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) which do not only infest cats but also other dogs and humans. 
  • Cat fleas are flat and three millimeters long. They have long legs that enable them to jump.
  • They can also spread plague bacteria but are not as efficient as ground squirrels or rat fleas. 
  • The next species is the dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis), which feeds on the blood of dogs and cats. Dog fleas are not widespread, but they occasionally bite humans. 
  • They are 1–4 mm long and are brownish black. They may appear reddish-black after a blood meal.
  • There are bird fleas (Ceratophyllus gallinae), which are generally brownish and 1–8mm long. 
  • They are also called hen fleas because they can multiply quickly in hen houses, breeders, batteries, and other similar environments. 
  • Their mouths are also projected downwards from the head, ready to pierce the skin and suck blood. 
  • Another is the human flea (Pulex irritans). Its color is black to brownish–black. This flea has a long proboscis that pierces the skin of its host for blood. 
  • Humans and pigs are the usual hosts of human fleas. They bite anywhere on the body and can cause itchiness when they crawl on the skin. 
  • The oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) feeds on roof rats in Norway and can spread serious diseases.  

FLEA-BORNE DISEASES IN HUMANS

  • Aside from the bite and the itch that animals and humans get from flea infestation, they may also spread diseases. While these diseases are not fatal and the treatment is readily available, they can spread rapidly. 
  • The first is the bubonic plague (also known as the Black Death), which is the most well-known flea-transmitted disease. In the 14th century, it became an epidemic and killed millions of Europeans. 
  • This is caused by rodents. The rats transmitted the disease to the fleas that bit them and transferred it to humans and pets. 
  • When the fleas bite humans, painful lymph nodes grow in the neck, arm, and groin. If the human does not get the treatment, the disease can spread and can cause bleeding under the skin, darkened skin, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and nausea. 
  • This disease can be treated with antibiotics.
  • The second disease is murine typhus. It comes from the Rickettsia typhi bacteria. When a flea bites an animal that carries this type of bacteria, it may spread the disease to its host. 
  • This disease is more common in southwestern states because it thrives in tropical climates. 
  • The host, animal or human, may experience fever, chills, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and a rash. Murine typhus can also be treated with antibiotics.
  • Next is tungiasis, which is caused by the tunga flea. These fleas do not just bite and feed. They open the skin and burrow into the epidermis to feed directly from the blood vessels.
  • Unlike other fleas, these fleas cannot jump, so they commonly affect the feet and lower part of the legs. 
  • Tunga fleas create 4 to 10-mm diameter lesions and can be itchy and painful. 
  • This can be treated in the following ways: removing the flea, suffocating the flea, or killing the flea using antiparasitic medicines. 
  • Moreover, bartonellosis is also known as cat scratch disease or cat scratch fever.
  • This disease is initially caused by cat scratches when a cat’s claws are infected by Bartonella bacteria. However, there is evidence that it can spread from fleas to humans. Therefore, even if a person does not have a cat in the house, they are still susceptible to this disease if there are many fleas in the house. 
  • The symptoms of bartonellosis are flu-like, such as fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Just like other flea-borne diseases, it can be treated by antibiotics. 
  • Lastly are tapeworms. These primarily affect pets but can also infect humans, especially children. Fleas can transmit parasites like tapeworms. This happens when the pet or human accidentally ingests adult fleas with tapeworm. 
  • These fleas may jump into the mouth or the food or drink that the pet or human may ingest. 
  • Tapeworms are not bothersome, but they may be noticeable in the stool, and when not treated, they can also grow like other worms. 
  • The person who has tapeworms may experience nausea, fatigue, weight loss, vitamin deficiency, and diarrhea. 
  • The treatment is taking medicines that kill the parasite, which also may involve the human passing the dead worm during defecation. 

FLEA CONTROL AND PREVENTION

  • Since fleas can rapidly multiply, their infestation causes problems not only in pets but in the entire household, and it can take weeks or months before you completely get rid of them.
  • There are many indications of flea infestation; these include scratching, hair loss, and bumps. 
  • Fleas are easy to identify, but flea larvae are a bit harder because they are sometimes located in obscure places. 
  • The following are some of the things you can do to control and prevent flea infestation. 
  • First, sanitize your home or the environment where the fleas can possibly multiply. Vacuum with a beater-bar brush. It is effective in removing adult fleas. Vacuum the carpet, cushioned furniture, and cracks on the floor. Larva is sometimes hard to remove using a vacuum cleaner because of its sticky nature, so steaming the carpet or furniture can help kill the fleas in all their life stages. Clean your outdoor areas where fleas can also multiply.
  • Since pets are the common target of fleas, you should also clean their bedding with hot and soapy water. If the infestation is severe, discard the bedding and replace it with a new one. You can also apply pesticides.
  • Next, use a flea comb to remove adult fleas, flea feces, and dried blood. You can drop the fleas in hot soapy water to kill them.
  • Flea infestation is a tedious situation and prevention will save you a lot of problems and stress.
  • Therefore, ensure that your environment is clean and sanitized. Do not lower your guard because these tiny creatures can cause big trouble.

Flea Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Fleas across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Fleas. They are known as ectoparasitic, which means they live outside their host. They are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Fleas Facts
  2. True or False?
  3. Identification
  4. Flea’s Life Cycle
  5. Flea Species
  6. Flea Diseases
  7. Flea Experience
  8. Flea Causes
  9. Flea Prevention
  10. Flea Paragraph
  11. On Parasitism

Frequently Asked Questions

What are fleas?

Fleas are small, wingless insects that belong to the order Siphonaptera. They are external parasites that feed on the blood of mammals and birds.

How do fleas infest homes and pets?

Fleas can infest homes and pets through various means. They can hitch a ride on infested animals, such as dogs, cats, rodents, or wildlife, and then enter your home. Fleas can also be present in outdoor environments like lawns or parks, and they can jump onto humans or pets as they pass by.

Are fleas harmful to humans?

While fleas primarily feed on the blood of animals, they can also bite humans. Flea bites can cause itching, redness, and discomfort. In some cases, people may develop an allergic reaction to flea bites, resulting in more severe symptoms. Fleas can also transmit certain diseases, such as murine typhus and bubonic plague, although such cases are relatively rare.

How can I prevent and control a flea infestation?

To prevent and control flea infestations, it’s important to take the following steps:

  • Regularly treat your pets with flea prevention products recommended by a veterinarian.
  • Vacuum your home frequently, paying close attention to carpets, upholstery, and pet bedding.
  • Wash pet bedding and linens in hot water.
  • Keep your yard and outdoor areas well-maintained, as fleas can thrive in tall grass and shady spots.
  • If necessary, consult a professional pest control service for effective flea treatment.

How long do fleas live?

The lifespan of a flea can vary depending on environmental conditions. Adult fleas typically live for about 2-3 months, but they can survive for up to a year under ideal conditions. Flea eggs, larvae, and pupae can also persist in the environment for several weeks to months, making it important to address all stages of the flea life cycle when treating an infestation.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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