What Do Fleas and Eggs Look Like?
Fleas don’t live long lives, but they always multiply. And they go through several stages of development:
Eggs. Female fleas lay up to eight eggs after each feeding. The oval-shaped eggs are loose and can roll around. They may land on any surface, including your bed. It takes between 1 to 12 days for them to hatch. Flea eggs are clear to white in color and resemble dandruff flakes or salt.
Larvae. When the egg hatches it grows into a larva. Flea larvae look like small, translucent worms or maggots. You may be able to see black matter inside their bodies, especially under a microscope. They stay as larvae for about 7 days.
Pupae. Larvae grow a cocoon to become incubating pupae. Their cocoons are sticky, so dust can get caught on them. Flea pupae look a lot like flea dirt. Under a warm and humid condition, pupae can remain alive and ready to hatch for up to 1 year.
Adult fleas. Fleas are time but can still be seen with the eyes. If your home is infested, you may see them in carpets or bedding. Fleas are wingless. They range from light reddish-brown to black in color. They have tough bodies which can be hard to squish. Fleas move very quickly and can jump as high as 13 inches. You may see them moving around on your pet’s skin but probably won’t see them nestling on top of fur. They are easiest to spot on your pet’s belly.