How Long Can Fleas Live on Clothes?
Fleas are cruel, pesky little vampires that are incredibly difficult to get rid of once they take up residence in your home. While most people associate fleas with pets, they’re also known to live and spread on clothing, carpets, and furniture as well. So, how long can fleas live on clothes?
Adult Fleas on Clothing
Fleas are attracted to warm, moist environments and may take up residence on clothing items in your home. Adult fleas have fairly short lifespans, between two to three months, and during this period, they will feed on the skin and blood of their human hosts.
Flea Eggs on Clothing
Fleas lay eggs on clothing and can even lay eggs on pets that may then transfer to clothing items. Flea eggs can live for up to two weeks, but this may depend on the environmental conditions. Fleas thrive in warm and damp conditions, so any environment that is dark and humid can provide the ideal conditions for fleas to grow and spread quickly.
Preventing Fleas on Clothing
To prevent fleas from taking up residence on clothing, here are a few steps to take:
- Wash your laundry regularly. Make sure all clothes, blankets, and linens are washed in hot water, as hot water kills fleas and their eggs.
- Shake out clothes. Before you bring any items of clothing into your home, it’s important to shake them out to ensure that any fleas or eggs that may be present are removed.
- Vacuum regularly. Vacuuming can help get rid of fleas that may be hiding in carpets, rugs, and other fabrics.
- Treat your pets. If you have pets that may be carrying fleas, make sure to treat them with flea prevention products.
By following these simple steps you can help prevent fleas from taking up residence on your clothes. Fleas can be a particularly hard pest to get rid of, so it’s important to be proactive and make sure to take preventative measures to keep your home and clothing free of them.