Table of Contents
What exactly are dormant fleas?
How do dormant fleas wake up?
Why are dormant fleas a problem?
Where do dormant fleas hide?
How to deal with dormant fleas?
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What are dormant fleas?
- By Katie
-
- March 24, 2025
- 3 MIN READ
Fleas are tiny, unwelcome guests that seem to appear out of nowhere, wreaking havoc on our poor pets and occasionally giving us a nip too. But what happens when you think you’ve dealt with them, only for them to stage a surprise comeback weeks (or even months) later? Keep reading to find out!
What exactly are dormant fleas?
Dormant fleas aren’t a different species or some super-powered version of the common flea. They’re simply fleas in their pupal stage, lying low until conditions are just right to make their grand entrance.
Fleas go through four stages in their lifecycle:
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Eggs – Laid on your pet but often falling off into carpets, bedding, and furniture
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Larvae – Tiny, worm-like creatures that feed on organic debris and flea faeces (charming, I know).
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Pupae – The cocoon stage, where they develop into adult fleas. This is where the dormant magic happens.
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Adult Fleas – The little jumpers that bite and cause chaos.
When fleas reach the pupal stage, they wrap themselves in a cocoon, protecting them from external dangers like vacuuming, sprays, and even some chemical treatments. They can stay in this stage for weeks, months, or even up to a year if the environment isn’t ideal for hatching. This is where they’re considered “dormant” – biding their time until they sense warmth, vibrations, and carbon dioxide, all indicators that you or your pet are nearby. Click here to learn more about the flea life cycle.
How do dormant fleas wake up?
Fleas are crafty little opportunists. Their cocoons are designed to protect them until conditions are perfect for emerging. But what triggers them?
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Heat and warmth: Fleas love warm environments. The heat from a central heating system being switched on or warm bodies moving around can signal that it’s time to wake up.
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Movement and vibrations: Fleas are sensitive to vibrations, which they interpret as a sign that a host is near. Walking through a previously infested room can trigger dormant fleas to hatch en masse.
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Carbon dioxide: As you or your pets breathe, you release CO₂. Fleas pick up on this and know there’s a meal nearby.
Why are dormant fleas a problem?
Dormant fleas pose a particular challenge because they’re incredibly resilient. During the pupal stage, they’re practically impervious to most insecticides. That means even if you’ve treated your home, vacuumed relentlessly, and given your pet the best flea treatments on the market, dormant fleas can still hatch after the fact.
What’s worse? When these fleas finally emerge, they’re ready to feed and reproduce almost immediately, starting the infestation cycle all over again. It’s like a bad horror film where the villain just won’t stay dead.
Where do dormant fleas hide?
Flea pupae are experts at hiding in hard-to-reach places. They’ll burrow deep into carpets, nestle into pet bedding, and settle in the cracks between floorboards. If you’ve had a flea infestation before, it’s likely that some pupae were left behind, waiting patiently for the right conditions.
How to deal with dormant fleas?
If you’re dealing with dormant fleas or want to prevent their reappearance, it’s all about persistence and vigilance. Here’s how to tackle them:
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✅ Vacuum like your life depends on it
Regular vacuuming is your best friend when it comes to dislodging flea pupae from their hiding places. Pay special attention to carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. And don’t forget to empty the vacuum outside afterwards – otherwise, you risk giving them a free ride back indoors.
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✅ Wash everything (and by this we mean EVERYTHING!)
Wash your pet’s bedding, blankets, and any soft furnishings that might harbour flea pupae. Use hot, 60 degrees or above water to kill any remaining eggs, larvae, or pupae.
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✅ Treat your pet consistently
Even if your home is flea-free, untreated pets can bring fleas back into the environment. Keep up with regular flea treatments to protect your furry friends with the Itch Flea Treatment for Cats and Dogs, which breaks the flea life cycle to protect your pet month on month.
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✅ Use a Flea Spray
Flea sprays kill all the fleas in your environment and disrupt the flea life cycle by preventing eggs and larvae from developing into adults. Try the Itch Flea Home Spray to halt all flea life stages for up to 12 months.
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✅ Get the big guns out
Fighting a full blown flea infestation often requires more than one treatment method. Get Rid of Fleas in your home with the Itch Flea Eradication Kit - our proven method to remove all fleas from your pet and home.
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✅ Consider a flea trap
Flea traps that use heat and light can encourage dormant fleas to hatch, luring them out of their cocoons so they can be dealt with.
The thing about dormant fleas is that they’re a bit like a ticking time bomb. You might think you’ve got everything under control, only for a new batch of fleas to emerge just when you’re least expecting it. That’s why consistency is key – staying on top of flea prevention, regular cleaning, and vigilant monitoring can make all the difference.
If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why are fleas back after I’ve done everything?” – now you know. Dormant fleas are the culprits, and they’re experts at lying low until it’s time to strike.
So, the next time you think you’ve conquered a flea infestation, remember – it’s not over until every last dormant flea has hatched and been dealt with. Good luck, and may your home be flea-free, forever🐾
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