| So... What's a Flea? Fleas are generally 1/16 to 1/8 inch long, agile, dark colored, wingless and possess a tube-like mouth that is specially adapted to feed on the blood of their hosts. The legs of a flea are long, and the hind pair are adapted for jumping. A flea can jump up to 7 inches vertically and 13 inches horizontally. (WOW that is pretty strong jumps!!) This vast jumping ability makes fleas one of the best jumpers of all known animals. A flea is covered in tiny hairs which aid in the movement around a host. While a flea's body is able to withstand a large amount of pressure, they can be crushed between your fingernails. Fleas has strong eyesight as they are part of the class Mecoptera. Reproduction Patterns of Fleas Fleas lay tiny white oval-shaped eggs and a female can lay 45-50 eggs per day up to 600 in a lifetime and usually lays the eggs on the host. Eggs hatch in 2 day to 2 weeks into larvae which are born blind and avoid light. Adult fleas can not lay eggs without a blood meal and may live for one year without feeding. The adult flea's diet consists solely of fresh blood from mammals. Newly emerged adult fleas live only about one week if a blood meal is not obtained. Eggs are laid in batches of 20 or more on the host and can easily fall onto the ground. This is why areas where the host lays are primary habitats of eggs and developing fleas. Optimum temperatures for the flea's life cycle is 70-85 degrees and optimum humidity is 70%. Flea's Habitat A flea can basically live anywhere, as long as it can receive a blood meal. Fleas generally like to lay their eggs on a host, but since they lay the eggs in the fur, the eggs generally wind up on the ground, or areas in which the host frequents. Outdoor deployment of eggs generally happens in gravel or sandboxes to allow the eggs/larvae access to hosts. Often, there is a need for flea control, after you have returned from vacation, and this is due to the fact that the fleas have been breeding and pupating. This newly created army is ready to do battle on you and your pets. Deploying a natural flea control product like The Ultimate Flea Trap, can prevent flea infestations because it is working 24 hours a day. Safer®Brand brings you a variety of effective insect control products that are gentler on the environment! Most of them proudly display the OMRI Listed® organic seal and comply for use in organic gardening! 
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