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7 Places Fleas Hide

7 Places Fleas Hide

Updated On November 21st, 2018

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Reviewed By Paula Fitzsimmons

Veterinarian

If you’re not finding flea bites on your pet, you may assume he’s free of the little buggers. But not so fast.

[Fleas](https://www.petcoach.co/article/fleas-life-cycle-anatomy-disease-transmission/) are masters at lying low, so even if you can’t readily see them, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not lurking around. Here are some of their favorite hiding places, both on your pet and around your home:

The Tail End of Dogs

Fleas want to stay on your pet—and they’ll sneak around to do so.

“Adult fleas are designed to live within the hair coat of mammals,” says Chantelle Hanna, a veterinary technician at [Southeast Veterinary Dermatology and Ear Clinic](http://southeastvetderm.vet/) in Charlotte, North Carolina. “They will move from body part to body part as needed to escape threats such as being wet or groomed off.”

While any part of a dog’s body can house fleas, they often hide in the thick hair near the back end. “This is why dogs with [flea allergic dermatitis](https://www.petcoach.co/article/flea-allergy-dermatitis-or-flea-bite-hypersensitivity/) often have signs of itching and secondary hair loss, redness or hot spots around the back half of their body, including the rump, tail base and sometimes the back of the thighs and inner thighs,” says [Dr. Christine Cain](http://www.vet.upenn.edu/people/faculty-clinician-search/CHRISTINECAIN), an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia.

The Front End of Cats

Fleas tend to congregate somewhat differently in cats.

“Studies in cats with flea infestations have found the highest numbers of fleas around the head and neck of cats, and the lowest numbers on the limbs and tail,” says Cain, who is board-certified in veterinary dermatology. Cats with flea allergic dermatitis will frequently have skin irritation on or around the neck.

Locating fleas on your pet can be tricky, so look for “flea dirt”—also known as flea poop—instead. “Flea dirt looks like coffee grounds, but if you put some on a white piece of paper and moisten it with a little water, you’ll see it has a reddish-brown color, which is the color of digested blood,” says Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinarian based in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Bedding

Fleas produce most of their eggs at night, which is why you’re more likely to find an increased number of eggs and larvae in your pet’s sleeping area. And it’s not just your pet’s bed that’s a magnet for flea activity.

“A lot of people don’t understand that wherever their dog goes, so go the fleas,” says [Dr. Kristin Holm](http://www.vetdermcs.com/about.html), a board-certified veterinary dermatologist with Veterinary Dermatology Consultation Services in Johnston, Iowa. “And whenever you see an adult flea, there are thousands and thousands of fleas, larvae and eggs. Basically, when people sleep with their dog and the dog has fleas, the bed will be infested.”

Carpets and Rugs

When flea larvae hatch from their eggs, they move away from light sources and toward the ground. “They often move deep within carpets and feed on organic debris and flea feces,” says Cain.

Depending on the flea’s life stage, vacuuming may or may not be effective at removal. “Regular vacuuming of pet resting places can remove up to 80 percent of flea eggs, but is much less effective for removing larvae,” says Cain.

Larvae eventually morph into pupae, which presents another problem. “Pupae are sticky and quickly camouflage themselves with debris from the environment,” says Hanna. “Mechanical removal from the environment by vacuuming is exceedingly difficult due to their sticky nature.”

Sofa Cushions

Flea pupae often hide in sofa cushions, where they’re happy to remain for long stretches of time. Often resistant to freezing, drying and insecticide medications, pupae are the hardest life stage to kill.

“They can remain dormant indoors for several months until they are stimulated to hatch into adult fleas by triggers like vibrations, carbon dioxide levels and temperature changes,” says Cain.

The most effective weapon for controlling pupae is [flea prevention](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/c/best-flea-treatment?ref=7PlacesFleasHide_PetCoachEcomm). “A dog or cat on a regimented flea control program is like a flea killing machine,” says Hanna. “As each new generation of adults hatch, it will be killed off quickly before any more eggs can be laid.”

Trees, Shrubs and Vegetation

Flea eggs, larvae and pupae tend to hide in damp, shaded areas under bushes, trees and leaves. “Since flea eggs and larvae are susceptible to desiccation or freezing, they are less likely to be found in very sunny areas, such as the middle of the lawn,” says Cain.

To eliminate flea habitats, remove piles of organic matter and keep trees, shrubs and other vegetation trimmed. You can also try applying diatomaceous earth to flea-friendly areas, suggests Coates. A popular natural method of flea control, diatomaceous earth is a powder made from the remains of aquatic organisms called diatoms. When fleas crawl over the powder, the jagged nature of the fossilized diatoms cuts their exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die. Diatomaceous earth poses no risk to mammals, birds and fish.

Crawl Spaces and Other Outdoor Areas

Fleas aren’t limited to cats and dogs. Opossums, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and skunks are also popular hosts for the pests. “It’s no wonder that the places these four-legged critters like to frequent are going to be prime flea zones,” says Hanna.

Crawl spaces, garages, areas near trash cans and standing water may harbor “wild” fleas. Deterring wildlife from frequenting your yard can be helpful, says Hanna. Make crawl spaces under buildings and decks inaccessible, secure trash can lids and remove standing water.

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