How long fleas live depends on species, environmental conditions like temperature and humidity, and access to blood meals from hosts like dogs, cats, and other animals. Adult fleas, such as cat fleas which are most common on pets, can live several months, typically 2 to 3 months on host with regular blood meals, and up to 100 days without feeding in cool conditions, though they need blood to reproduce. The total life cycle from egg to adult can take 3 weeks to several months depending on conditions. Eggs hatch in 2 to 14 days into larvae that live 5 to 20 days feeding on organic debris and flea feces in carpets and pet bedding, then spin cocoons and become pupae that can survive from a few days to up to 5 months or even a year in protected cocoons waiting for host vibrations and warmth to emerge, which is why infestations can reappear months later. So while adult fleas live a few months, pupae can remain dormant for many months. In ideal warm, humid conditions of 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 percent humidity with regular host access, flea life cycle can be as short as 3 weeks, leading to rapid population growth from few to hundreds. In cooler or dry conditions development slows. To control fleas, you must break life cycle by treating pets, washing bedding on high heat, vacuuming regularly, and using insect growth regulators that prevent pupae from developing.
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