Do fleas bite women more than men?

Summary

There’s no evidence that fleas bite women more than men. A person getting more bites than other people is likely related to the amount of time they spend in infested areas of a home, or around infested pets.

Details

There isn’t any conclusive evidence that fleas bite women more than men. The primary attraction cues are light, movement, and heat. Thus, it seems unlikely that host gender plays much of a role.

While not directly related to fleas, a NY Times article explored the common claim that mosquitoes prefer women over men. In reality, mosquitoes are slightly attracted more to men due to their larger body size and more body heat.

Dermatologist Survey

A survey was done in dermatology clinics on morsus insecti (unknown insect bites) where fleas were the likely culprit. 72% of patients with bites were female. A past study found 75% of patients were female. The preponderance of female patients doesn’t necessarily mean that women are bitten more than men, or that women are more sensitive to flea bites. Women may just be more likely to see a dermatologist, while men with bites are less interested in getting examined.

Why Fleas Bite Women More than Men

More Exposure to Fleas

Regardless of gender, persons who are more exposed to fleas will get more bites. Someone who spends more time in an infested home and around infested pets will be more exposed than a person who is often away from home. For example, stay-at-home parents, people who work from home, people on disability, and retirees are at a high risk of getting bit. Traditionally, women spend more time at home, which may generally explain why they get more bites.

Flea Hot-Spots in Homes

Adult fleas live on pets and lay eggs there. However, the eggs aren’t sticky and soon fall off. Immature fleas develop in the environment and account for 95-99% of infestations. Eventually new adults emerge to find a host for a blood meal.

Flea hot-spots occur where infested pets eat, rest, and groom, because these areas are where the most flea eggs are dislodged. Common hot-spots occur in living rooms next to sofas, or in bedrooms around beds. A person spending a lot of time in these areas is prone to get bites.

Adults Emerging from Cocoons

Family members who wander the house are also more likely to get bites. Cocooned adult fleas can enter a sleep-like state for up 5 months. Heat and pressure trigger immediate waking and emerging. Emerged adults will be attracted to changes in light and shadow from moving person, as well as their body heat. By walking around the home, a person is more likely to wake up and attract fleas and get bites.

Clothing & Exposed Skin

Fleas can only jump to around the height of a human ankle. They bite readily upon finding exposed skin, rarely traveling far on humans. Thus, people with more exposed skin on their feet, ankles, and lower legs are more likely to get bitten. Women’s apparel typically has exposed skin in these areas, for example sandals, dresses, skirts, shorts, capris, etc.

Fleas can’t bite through clothes. Flea bites can be deterred by wearing socks and long pants, and tucking the legs into the socks. Wearing closed-toe shoes also helps prevent flea bites.

Insect repellents work against fleas. A DEET lotion applied to exposed legs and feet will help prevent flea bites. Permethrin clothing repellent is also useful for keeping fleas off of shoes, socks, and pants.

Softer Skin

A source from the 1800’s states that fleas may prefer the more delicate skin of women. However, there’s no evidence to back up this claim.

Hormonal Differences

If fleas are in fact more attracted to women, it may be because of hormones. For example, the rabbit flea (S. cuniculi) appears to have some biological functions controlled by hormonal factors in female rabbits. The fleas may be able to smell or taste these changes. It remains to be investigated whether similar mechanisms occur in other flea species.

Bite Sensitization

Though unproven, it’s possible that women experience more delayed responses to flea bites. Thus, women would be more provoked by the bites. Bite responses are determined by the individual’s level of sensitization.

Diet

Different diets don’t seem to increase flea attraction. Scientific evidence regarding dietary supplementation with vitamin B, Brewer’s Yeast, or garlic suggest these methods are of little value. So potential differences in diet between men and women wouldn’t matter.

References