Female fleas can lay eggs on dogs after each blood meal. Flea eggs are not sticky and fall off. You need to act fast when you find flea eggs as they can infest your home quickly. Salt is a good home remedy for killing flea eggs.
Fleas are parasitic insects that multiply quickly. They can infest your home and bite you and your family.
Dogs can get fleas from other infested animals or the general environment, such as parks, gardens, houses, etc.
It is best to use antiparasitic substances for prevention to ensure your dog is safe from fleas and to make sure their eggs don’t hatch into your home.
In this article, you will learn if fleas lay eggs on dogs, where they lay eggs, what flea eggs look like, how to get rid of them, and more.
Fleas Life Cycle
Fleas have four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Only the adult flea feeds on blood, and the female lays eggs after each meal.
Fleas are blood-sucking parasites on birds and mammals, including dogs and humans.
The biological cycle of fleas comprises four stages:
- Egg
- Larva
- Pupa
- Adult fleas
The total duration of the biological cycle is 1-20 months, depending on the environmental conditions.
Flea Eggs
A female flea lays on average 40-50 eggs a day, several days in a row. She lays eggs after every meal. The eggs are laid on your dog’s fur, but because they aren’t sticky, they fall off easily.
Flea Larvae
The newly hatched larvae are uneven and whitish, becoming reddish as they feed on flea feces and organic debris. They live where the hatching took place, very rarely in the fur of massively infested pets. The flea larva weaves a cocoon ten days after hatching, turning into a pupa.
Flea Pupae
Fleas develop inside the pupa. It is initially white, then yellow, and then brown. Adults form in 7-12 in favorable environmental conditions. Adults can stay in the cocoon for up to a year if they do not have favorable environmental conditions.
Adult Flea
Adult fleas emerge from the cocoon when they feel the vibrations caused by the hosts. This causes them to come out of the cocoon in large numbers simultaneously. Adult fleas live between 300 and 800 days, depending on the species and temperature.
Do Fleas Lay Eggs on Dogs?
Eggs are usually laid in the environment but can also be laid in your dog’s fur. They are non-sticky and easily fall off your dog’s fur.
Female fleas lay their fertilized eggs in several places:
- Cracks in the walls.
- On the floor.
- Furniture (sofa, bed, etc.).
- In the fibers of the carpet.
They can also lay eggs in your dog’s fur, but because the eggs are non-sticky, they accumulate, especially where your dog spends the most time.
Where Do Fleas Usually Lay Eggs on Dogs?
The most common places where fleas can lay eggs in your dog’s fur are:
- Groin area
- Armpits
- Belly
- Between the shoulder blades
- Under the neck
- Base of the tail
Despite these places, they often choose to lay their eggs around the hip area.[1]
The hips are an exposed area from where the eggs can easily fall into the environment. The time it takes for the eggs to fall off depends on how long your dog’s hair is and if your pet scratches or not.
In some cases, it can take up to a few days for flea eggs to fall from your pet’s fur.[2]
Flea eggs drop off faster when your dog scratches intensely.
How Many Eggs Do Fleas Lay?
The adult female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day; it lays eggs after each meal (every 3-5 hours). Female fleas mate several times and can lay between 500-2000 eggs in their life.
Incubation of eggs lasts between 2-15 days, depending on the flea species and temperature.[3]
How Long Do Flea Eggs Live?
Flea eggs can survive 10-15 days, depending on the species and environmental conditions. They need heat (70-90℉) and humidity (75-85%) to hatch.
Larvae can hatch in about 36 hours in ideal conditions.
What Do Fleas Eggs Look Like on Dogs?
Flea eggs are small and whitish and can be easily seen on dogs with dark fur or pigmented skin. Pets rarely have a large number of flea eggs on them.
Flea eggs are ovoid, whitish, and about 0.5 mm long. The female lays 2-12 eggs at a time. Eggs are rarely found on dogs and people usually notice them when their pet is massively infested.
They are very difficult to observe on dogs with light fur. If you have a light-haired dog, you can use a magnifying glass or a flea comb to find flea eggs.
How to spot flea eggs on dogs with light fur?
Use a magnifying glass to find flea eggs on dogs with light fur:
- Check the places where fleas like to feed, especially the hip area.
- Use a magnifying glass to inspect those areas.
A flea comb can also be used to find flea eggs. You can use it if you don’t have a magnifying glass:
- Pass the comb through your dog’s fur patiently but firmly to separate the hairs.
- Start with the areas where fleas are commonly found.
- Move on to the rest of the body.
- Use the flea comb outside or in the tub to keep eggs from falling off in your home.
A flea comb will also clean your dog for flea dirt.
How to Get Rid of Flea Eggs
You can get rid of flea eggs on your dog with a flea comb. For eggs in your house or garden, you can apply salt, borax, diatomaceous earth, or baking soda.
To get rid of flea eggs, and the future fleas that come out of them, you need to give your dog general flea treatment.
Use either antiparasitic substances or home remedies. Keep in mind that home remedies are not as effective as using antiparasitic substances.
Many anti-flea products also contain insect growth regulators, which do not allow larvae to develop into adult fleas[4]. By using products with growth regulators, you stop larvae from turning into adults, preventing the eggs from developing into adult fleas.
Other products contain a sterilizing agent, which causes the female to lay unviable eggs.[5]
Always talk to your veterinarian about the best method to get rid of fleas.
How to Get Rid of Flea Eggs in the House or Garden
There are several ways you can get rid of flea eggs in your home and garden:
- Pesticide
- Vacuuming and cleaning
- Using salt, borax, baking soda, or diatomaceous earth
1. Pesticides
Talk to your veterinarian or an exterminator about using pesticides. They can recommend products or advise you on what to do if you want to use pesticides.
Keep pets and children away from insecticides as they can become intoxicated if they inhale or ingest them.
2. Vacuuming and Cleaning to Get Rid of Fleas
Vacuuming and cleaning is an easy, effective, and handy method to get rid of flea eggs. Vacuum your carpets, floors, and furniture. As flea eggs aren’t sticky, they are removed in the vacuuming process.
Vacuum every two days for maximum effectiveness.
Steam vacuuming is another effective method. With a steam cleaner, you can clean the carpets, bedding, furniture, and floors. The heat and moisture kill flea eggs.
To make sure you get rid of all fleas, it is recommended to wash the furniture covers, bed linen, and your pet’s bedding at very high temperatures.
3. Using Salt, Borax, Baking Soda, or Diatomaceous Earth
Use salt, borax, baking soda, or diatomaceous earth to get rid of flea eggs if you find them in your home or garden. These powders have abrasive and desiccant properties. They kill flea eggs, larvae, and adults through dehydration.
How to use powders against fleas:
- Sprinkle salt, borax, baking soda, or diatomaceous earth over the carpet, floor, furniture, etc.
- Use a wide brush or a broom to work the powder into carpet fibers.
- Vacuum well after at least 12 hours.
FAQs
Does Bathing a Dog Kill Flea Eggs?
Bathing your dog can help it get rid of flea eggs. The fleas will go wash off with the water and end up in the sewer, leaving your dog clean.
Are Flea Eggs Visible?
Flea eggs are about 0.5 mm long, oval, and whitish. They are easily spotted on dogs with dark fur but can be difficult to see on light-colored dogs. Flea eggs can be confused with sand grains or skin flakes. Use a magnifying glass to distinguish fleas from other debris.
