FLEAS

 The Cat Flea is by far the most common flea in San Diego County.   The Cat Flea is a blood feeder as an adult, and a scavenger as a larva. The adults remain on animals they feed on unless physically forced off, and may live up to a year. 

 The female lays eggs on the host animal and these eggs fall to the floor or other surfaces below.  

 The eggs hatch in a few days and the larvae begins to feed on organic debris it finds, but also must consume some dried blood in order to progress to the pupa stage. This dried blood comes from the dried feces of the adult fleas that falls off the (host) pet.  

  Under ideal conditions, an egg may mature to an adult in as little as two weeks. If there is no host activity in the home this process may take several months.