Do fleas like clean or dirty dogs?

Can Fleas Live In Human Hair? Here’s What You Need To Know

It’s every pet owner’s worst nightmare. Your cat or dog is sitting in the corner scratching like no tomorrow. There’s only one thing for it—they’ve got fleas. When your pooch or feline is itching away, figuring out how to get rid of fleas can be challenging. The truth is that these little critters will bite and irritate them all day and night long.

However, that may not be the only worry on your mind. There’s another thing that’s been keeping you awake at night. Can fleas live in human hair? When you see your pet scratching away, you’ve wondered whether you’re doomed to the same fate. You’ve even started to feel itchy and uncomfortable when around them.

Don’t panic. This guide will look at everything you need to know about whether fleas can live and lay eggs on the human scalp. Here’s what you need to know.

Can fleas live in human hair?

First, is it possible for fleas to live in human hair? The short answer is no. There are more than 2000 types of fleas around the globe. However, there is no evidence that these insects can live on the human body or scalp. Unlike what you may know about treating head lice, these insects only live on other species. You may find them living on livestock, some of your household pets, or even wild animals.

One of the main reasons fleas are attracted to certain animals is their fur or feathers. For example, a bird with amble feathers makes a perfect nest for a large family of fleas. The insects will have the chance to get deep inside the feathers and then lay eggs there. The environment makes an ideal breeding ground for insects.

On the other hand, humans tend to have much less hair than other animals. For that reason, fleas aren’t attracted to them. So while you may be worried about a flea jumping from your pet to your head, that is unlikely to happen. Moreover, even if it did, the flea wouldn’t make its home on your head. Put simply; you don’t have enough hair to offer. Don’t worry, growing long hair won’t change that either.

Do fleas like to live in human hair? No—they don’t. That means you can stop worrying about whether you’ll catch fleas from your cat or dog. While their infestation may be annoying, you don’t have to worry about catching the fleas. That’s good news if you’ve been feeling a tad itchy lately.

Can fleas bite humans?

Sure, fleas can’t live on humans… but that doesn’t mean you’re 100% free from them. Animal fleas can bite humans, and often enough, they do. The most likely situation is that the insects jump from your pet’s bed and bite your ankles, feet, and legs. You will feel it when they do this, and, worse still, you might see them.

Flea bites gross and irritating, but they could also be dangerous. One study published in the Nature Journal suggests that cat fleas in New York can spread pathogens from human to human. In the simplest of terms, pathogens are organisms that can produce diseases. When they spread across communities, it could mean that many people become sick in a domino effect. That means that illnesses and diseases could spread fast.

For that reason, you will want to protect yourself against flea bites. When these insects have made the family pet their home, you must take action as soon as possible. Ignoring the issue will only mean that the infestation will worsen with time. Before you know it, you will find that other animals in your home also have fleas. These tiny insects love to lay eggs anywhere they can, and they can hop from animal to animal.

How to protect yourself against flea bites

Worried about your pet’s fleas biting you? Luckily, there are some simple and effective ways to prevent bites. So long as you act fast (and keep things as clean as possible!), you should have no problem avoiding these irritating bites. When you realise that your cat or dog has fleas, you need to move quickly. Here’s what to do:

1. Treat your pet for fleas

The first step here is to treat your pet for fleas. You can head to the vet and get a flea treatment or even buy something over the counter. As we have mentioned, the longer you ignore this problem, the worse it will be. You don’t want to make that mistake. Treat the infestation the moment that you notice your pet has been scratching. It will do you and them a favour. If you need more information, check out the RSPCA guide.

2. Clean your pet’s bedding

Bedding can become a hot spot for fleas. Since your dog or cat spends so many hours every day in this area, you might find loads of fleas here. Unfortunately, the insects may also try to lay eggs here too. To help get rid of the infestation sooner rather than later, you need to regularly clean your pet’s bedding. This habit will help you kill the insects at the earliest stage of their lifestyle. That means that you can get rid of them swiftly.

3. Use a flea comb on your pet

While you may use a chemical flea treatment, there’s another way to get rid of fleas. You can use a cat flea comb on your pet. These combs help you pick out insects and remove them from your animal. While it may not be a fun job (not by a long shot!), taking this measure will significantly affect how long the infestation lasts. When you are combining your pet, be sure to protect yourself. You don’t want the fleas to jump onto you.

4. Use a regular flea treatment

When the infestation is gone, the fun and games don’t end there. First, you should use a regular flea treatment on your domestic pet. Often enough, your vet will be able to advise you on what to use. In addition, you may want to wash your cat or dog with a specialist shampoo or even a shot you can put on their back every few months. Keeping up with this part of your pet maintenance could mean you don’t have to deal with fleas again soon.

When your beloved pet gets fleas, it can be super stressful. Luckily, you don’t have to panic about whether you can catch the insects from them. However, you should do everything you can to protect yourself and your animals from the critters. Acting fast is the only way to go. You can use a strong flea treatment, wash your pet’s bedding, and clean your home well. When you’ve done that, you should say goodbye to the infestation.

Next, why not rid our cleaning tips for pet owners? There are loads of great ideas. We also have some handy tips for dog owners and some advice on preparing for a puppy that you won’t want to miss.

Q&A

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know, let’s look at some frequently asked questions. We’ve got you covered if you want to know more about fleas and how to manage them. Here are some of the questions that may be burning in your mind.

Can fleas lay eggs in human hair?

No. Fleas don’t lay eggs on your scalp. These insects can only breed on specific animals, such as cats and dogs. For that reason, you don’t have to panic about catching them from your animal. However, you should keep in mind that fleas can bite humans.

Can fleas live in your bed?

Fleas can live in your bed. This is a real risk if you let your animal sleep on the bed at night. When your pet has fleas, you should not allow them near your bed. You should also do all you can to get rid of the infestation. That means washing all of your bedding and ensuring that there are no fleas or eggs there. You may also find that vacuuming the area daily will help you steer clear of a widespread infestation of fleas. Yikes.

Are fleas more active at night?

Yes! Fleas are more or less nocturnal. That means that they will move, breed, and bite more during nighttime. You may find that your pet is more anxious or irritated during the evening with that in mind. The sooner you treat the fleas, the better.

Has this news taken you by surprise? Let us know in the comments below!

Joanne A

Editor

Expert in finding beautiful solutions for small and rented spaces. Would happily spend the rest of my life shopping for homewares and watching Disney movies — I only wish I had Cinderella’s army of mice to help me clean!

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2 Add your comment

1. Happy Grandma on February 5, 2023 at 10:18 pm

It’s a relief to know that fleas can’t live on human hair. Thank you for a well written post. I think I would prefer and appreciate a small scale army of 4-6 to assist me with things like room rearranging, minor repairs, etc.

1. Joanne A on February 6, 2023 at 5:02 pm

Recognising and Removing Fleas on Dogs

Dog fleas are the most common parasite your canine friend can come into contact with. They measure about 1-2mm and can live for 7-14 days, dividing their time between living on your dog and laying eggs. Female fleas lay up to 40 eggs every day which are white, oval-shaped and about half a millimetre long. They hatch into tiny larvae that burrow into carpets, upholstery and often your dog’s bedding, which then develop into pupae.

These will lie quietly for many months – you won’t even know they’re there – until they sense warmth and vibration. They then emerge as adult fleas and jump onto a passing ‘host’ – in this case your dog – before starting the cycle all over again! For every single flea living on your dog, there could be 99 more growing in your home, no matter how clean it is.

Dog fleas can potentially transmit diseases and are the most common cause of dog skin problems. Bites are itchy for all dogs, and can lead to some developing allergies, such as FAD (flea allergic dermatitis). Late summer is peak season for fleas thanks to high humidity and warm temperatures, but cosy central heating in winter means you’ll need to de-flea all year round.

How do I spot dog fleas?

Just because you can’t see them it doesn’t mean they’re not there! The most obvious sign that your dog has fleas is persistent scratching, or sometimes over-grooming, which can result in bald patches on their coat. If your dog develops a flea allergy they may also have scabs and red, sore areas on their skin. Regular grooming won’t prevent fleas on your dog, but it will at least alert you to any symptoms sooner rather than later, so you can seek treatment as soon as possible.

What do dog fleas look like?

Dog fleas are dark brown and 1-2mm long. You might spot them in your carpet or notice tiny black specks of flea dirt in your dog’s fur during combing. A good way to test is to put these specks onto some damp tissue paper. If it’s flea dirt, the specks will turn red because of the digested blood they contain.

How do I treat dog fleas?

Always talk to your vet about dog flea treatments and use a vet-approved product that’s been tested for safety and effectiveness. If you have dogs as well as cats, don’t treat your dog near your cat, as dog flea treatments contain permethrin which is toxic to cats. Treat your pets separately, and try to keep them apart for a period of time so that they don’t risk transferring treatments by contact.

When you’re getting rid of dog fleas, remember you’ll have to treat your house as well as your dog. You should use a combination of topical products to kill the adult fleas, plus a treatment that will prevent eggs developing into adults. Make sure all soft furnishings and carpets are regularly thoroughly washed at high heat, too.

Topical dog flea treatments

Powders are quite an old-fashioned and messy way of treating fleas on your dog, as the powder needs to remain on your dog’s coat to be effective and can cause illness if it’s swallowed or inhaled.

Sprays are also used less frequently than they used to be, thanks mainly to the invention of more effective ‘spot-on’ treatments.

Flea collars aren’t usually very effective at treating fleas on dogs as they have a limited range – that is, they only treat the area around the neck – and can also cause hair loss or irritation. However, there is a new generation of flea collars – available from your vet – which are much kinder to your dog’s skin and fur, and work by dispersing the active ingredient through the body rather than simply sitting on your dog’s neck. Remember, all dog collars must have a quick-release mechanism; otherwise your dog could get caught or tangled.

These products are the simplest and most effective way of treating and preventing dog fleas. They usually consist of a small vial of liquid which should be applied to the back of your dog’s neck, killing fleas and sometimes the development of eggs. There are several brands available, so talk to your vet to find the best one for your dog.

Other forms of dog flea treatment

Tablets and liquids: These are absorbed into the dog’s body and either kill fleas when they have a bite, or sterilise them so they can’t reproduce.

Injections: These are available to prevent the development of flea eggs but a topical treatment may be needed at the same time.

Household treatments: Some of the treatments mentioned above are helpful in treating your house as well, as they prevent fleas from laying eggs, or prevent the eggs from developing. However, there are many household sprays available that can be used on carpets and furnishings. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which will usually tell you to vacuum your carpets to bring dog fleas and eggs to the surface before thoroughly spraying your carpet, and then vacuuming again. Always spray the vacuum cleaner with flea spray and throw away any vacuum bags – you don’t want fleas developing and crawling out of there! Don’t use sprays near fish tanks and always make sure all pets are kept away from treated areas until they’ve been well-ventilated. Unfortunately, very severe dog flea infestations in a house may require pest control treatment.

Non-veterinary approved products

Some dog flea treatment products claim to contain natural ingredients such as oil of citronella and eucalyptus. These usually haven’t undergone any stringent safety tests, so are not guaranteed to work or be safe for your dog. Always check with your vet before you use any product on your pet.

If your dog has fleas, remember that they’re very common. It doesn’t mean that your dog – or your home – is too dirty! If you’re unsure how to proceed with preventing or treating fleas, ask your vet for advice. Regular vet check-ups will give your vet the chance to spot any potential health problems and, hopefully, nip them in the bud before they become serious.