Can fleas live on hardwood floors?

Summary

Fleas can live on hardwood floors. They develop in cracks and crevices, which create a suitable micro-habitat for larvae. Tile floors are a poor habitat. Linoleum is even worse for supporting fleas, due to the lack of cracks.

Details

Viable Habitats

Flea larvae are the most fragile life stage. They quickly desiccate in dry environments. This limits where fleas can develop. Habitats need to be humid, dark, warm, and contain plenty of food (flea dirt). These conditions are typically found underneath the surface of substrates, in protected micro-environments. Flea larvae are adapted to avoid light, thereby burying down into these types of habitats.

Flea larvae don’t travel far upon hatching. So eggs must fall from the host into a viable location for the fleas to survive. Flea feces must also fall along with the eggs. The larvae need the feces as a food source or they’ll starve.

Fleas can Develop in Hardwood Floors

83% of fleas develop deep within carpeting. Modern carpets provide a good harborage for fleas because of the deep pile which blocks out desiccating air flow and sunlight. Also, some carpets allow dirt to fall to the base so it’s hidden from view. Food for larvae accumulates easily in these carpets.

Cracks in hardwood floors provide many of the same habitat functions as carpeting. The crevices create their own protected micro-environment and micro-climate. Flea eggs, flea feces, and debris can easily collect in the cracks. Areas near baseboards and floor corners also gather flea eggs and detritus. These locations are suitable for developing flea larvae. The role of wooden floors as a flea habitat is often underestimated.

While wood floors aren’t as ideal for fleas as carpeting, they can still support a thriving population. One study surveyed the number of fleas from different floor types in infested homes Fig 1. Carpets contained the most fleas, followed wood flooring. However, the difference wasn’t significant. Tile floors contained few fleas. Hardly any fleas were found on linoleum floors, likely because of the lack of cracks and crevices.

Certain areas of hardwood floors are more suitable for fleas than others. For example, fleas can’t live where there’s prolonged sun exposure. They also fare poorly near heavy pedestrian traffic, such as in hallways.

Fleas can infest homes with hardwood or vinyl floors, even if they aren’t living on these surfaces. For example, area rugs are often placed on wood floors. The rugs can support developing fleas just like carpets. Also, infested pets may favor resting on pieces of upholstered furniture, which can then become flea hot-spots.

How to Treat Hardwood Floors for Fleas

Don’t neglect hardwood floors when controlling fleas. As mentioned, cracks in flooring, crevices around baseboards, corners of rooms, and other areas where debris collects will support the most fleas. These areas should get the most attention when implementing flea control.

Prior to using an insecticide, sanitation should be done to physically remove any fleas and organic debris. Using a vacuum’s nozzle attachment, thoroughly vacuum the floors and baseboards. The floors can also be mopped.

Then use a flea premise spray containing an insect growth regulator. Apply the treatment thoroughly in all infested rooms, regardless of floor type. To ensure complete coverage, direct the spray behind and under couches, beds, chairs, cushions, and other furniture. Make a special effort to spray along floor and wall intersections, especially baseboards.

Continue vacuuming every few days. Vacuum floors, rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, hardwood cracks, and crevices around baseboards to remove any new flea eggs, larvae, pupae, adults, and food sources.

References