Fleas are like every other creature, whether they are favored pets or pesky annoying creatures, they all have one thing in common. All species must reproduce if they want their species to survive in the future.
The only question that remains is how do they reproduce? To get the answer to these questions, just continue to read our article. It explores the topic so you get the right answers and can defend your home and pets better.
Do Male Fleas Lay Eggs?
No, but they are a vital part of the reproduction process. They and their female friends must have a blood meal before they can reproduce. That means that both fleas must be on the host at the same time in order for the female to lay her eggs.
Like most species, the female cannot have any children without the participation of the male of their species. There are exceptions to this rule but only in the water flea part of the flea family.
After the eggs are laid, there are still 2 more stages for the flea baby to go through before they become an adult flea.
Do Fleas Have to Mate to Lay Eggs?
For the most part, the answer is yes, they do. Like humans, they mate after having a nice meal, but both the male and female must have this blood meal if the female is going to lay any eggs.
Blood is the most important factor in this reproduction process as is mating. Virgin female fleas can lay eggs within 24 hours of their first blood meal. However, those eggs will never hatch as they are not fertile.
The purpose of these infertile eggs is to provide food for the flea larvae when they are ready to eat. Without those unfertile eggs, the larvae will fail to develop into adult fleas.
Can Fleas Lay Eggs Without Mating?
Yes, they can and as you just read, those eggs will not be fertile. That means that the male is needed to ensure that live flea babies that develop into adults will be born. But as you just read, virgin females do lay eggs, but those eggs are used for a different purpose.
The larvae will also feed on fertile eggs making unfertile eggs necessary for the species to survive in great numbers. The fewer fertile eggs consumed by the larvae, the more fleas will survive into adulthood and bother your pets.
But the female does not mate for life. It is said that for her to reach full fertility, she must mate with multiple male partners.
Do Only Female Fleas Lay Eggs?
Yes, like almost every other species on this planet, the female is responsible for the laying of the eggs. The bad news in all of this is that the female can lay up to 50 eggs a day. If she is not killed within a day or two, you are looking at hundreds of fleas to get rid of instead of just one or two.
Then if your pet is host to more than just one female flea and male flea, then those numbers go up. It doesn’t take long for a few fleas to turn into a colony or infestation. The number of eggs one female lays per day is up for considerable debate as different people quote different numbers.
Can 1 Flea Reproduce?
In the proper sense of reproduction, the answer is no it can’t. The female must have a male to mate with if they are going to lay fertile eggs that eventually turn into adult fleas.
However, virgin female fleas can still lay eggs. They just will not turn into adult fleas but be used for food for the larvae stage. This is still an important role in flea society for without those unfertile eggs, the larvae will turn to fertile eggs and start eating them.
While you may not think you have a flea problem, even spotting one or two fleas is a sign that there may be a colony on or near your pet. You will want to take quick action to make sure those eggs do not grow into adult fleas.
Some Final Words
Reproduction is a beautiful process. It promotes life and keeps a species alive and well. However, if it is a flea having those babies, it is best to kill the adults along with the eggs to make sure no more fleas harm your pets.
There are great natural and commercial solutions to your flea problem. Pick the right one for your home and pets.
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