Fleas in South Florida

Fleas are tiny, wingless, jumping insects that feed on blood, and in South Florida nearly every flea problem on dogs and cats is caused by one species, the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). Only the adults live on the pet; the eggs, larvae and pupae develop in carpets, pet bedding and shady parts of the yard, which is why treating the animal alone rarely ends an infestation.

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What Are Fleas?

Fleas are small, wingless insects that survive by feeding on the blood of animals and people. More than 300 flea species live in the United States, but only a few affect people’s health. In South Florida homes, the one that matters most is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. Despite its name, it is the most common flea on both cats and dogs, and it also feeds on wildlife and, when animals are not around, on people.

South Florida’s climate is ideal for fleas. UF/IFAS notes that flea larvae do best in places with relative humidity of at least 75% and temperatures between 70°F and 90°F, conditions that are common in South Florida for much of the year, from Homestead to West Palm Beach. Shaded yards, dense landscaping, crawl spaces, porches and the humid air during the rainy season from May through October give fleas plenty of places to develop outdoors, and carpets, rugs and pet beds keep them going indoors. That is why UF/IFAS describes fleas as a year-round threat to pet health in Florida.

Wild and stray animals also play a role. The CDC notes that wild and stray animals commonly carry fleas, and UF/IFAS points out that opossums, raccoons, skunks and feral cats can bring new fleas into a yard, even if your own pets are treated.

How to Identify Fleas

• Adults: about 1 to 3 mm long, reddish-brown to black, wingless and flattened from side to side, which lets them move quickly through hair and fur. Strong hind legs let them run and jump.
• Eggs: smooth, oval and white, about 0.5 mm long. They are dry and fall off the pet easily, so they collect in carpets, bedding and lawns, where they are nearly invisible.
• Larvae: worm-like, legless and eyeless, 1.5 to 5 mm long. They avoid light and hide deep in carpet fibers, under furniture and in protected outdoor spots.
• Pupae: inside sticky silk cocoons coated with dust and debris, which camouflages them in carpets and soil.
• Flea dirt: small dark specks in a pet’s fur or bedding. This is adult flea feces, made of partly digested blood, and it is the main food of flea larvae.

Fleas vs. bed bugs. Both bite at night and leave itchy marks, and the EPA recommends making sure you really have bed bugs, not fleas or other insects, before treating. Fleas jump and are usually found on pets and in pet areas. Bed bugs are flat and oval from above, crawl rather than jump, and hide in mattress seams and furniture close to where people sleep.

Life Cycle and Behavior

The cat flea goes through complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Understanding this life cycle is the key to getting rid of fleas, because at any moment most of the population is not on your pet.

1. Adults stay on the host animal and need fresh blood to produce eggs. They live about 4 to 25 days, and a female can lay up to one egg per hour.
2. Eggs drop off wherever the pet walks, sleeps or rests, and hatch within about two days.
3. Larvae feed on flea dirt and other debris for about 5 to 15 days. They prefer areas shielded from rain, irrigation and sunlight.
4. Pupae form inside cocoons. New adults emerge when they sense a host, triggered by vibration or an increase in carbon dioxide.

The whole cycle usually lasts 30 to 75 days, depending on temperature and humidity. Under normal conditions, adults emerge from the cocoon in about one to two weeks, but Mississippi State University Extension notes that they can stay in the cocoon for many months, even as long as a year, if no host is around. That explains a common South Florida experience: a home or rental sits empty, the new owners or tenants move in and soon they are getting bitten.

Signs of a Flea Problem

• Pets scratching, licking, chewing or biting their skin more than usual.
• Small dark specks (flea dirt) in your pet’s fur, on pet bedding or on furniture where pets rest.
• Adult fleas seen while combing your pet with a fine flea comb.
• Itchy, irritated bites on people in the household.
• Fleas jumping onto your socks when you walk across carpets, rugs or shady areas of the yard.
• Irritated, inflamed skin on pets, which can point to flea allergy dermatitis.

Why Fleas Are a Problem

Flea bites cause discomfort, itching and irritation in pets and people. Some animals develop flea allergy dermatitis, an allergic reaction to flea bites. Cat fleas are also the intermediate host of the dog tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum): pets get it by swallowing infected fleas while grooming, and the CDC notes that people can be infected the same way, with small children at higher risk than adults.

According to the CDC, fleas can also spread certain diseases, including flea-borne (murine) typhus, which can be spread by infected cat fleas or rat fleas and their feces (the CDC reports that most U.S. cases are in California, Texas and Hawaii), and cat scratch disease, which usually passes to people when a flea-infested cat scratches them. UF/IFAS describes human cases linked to cat fleas as rare. If you have health concerns about bites, talk with your doctor, and ask your veterinarian about your pet.

Fleas are also a business problem. Pet-friendly rentals, vacation homes, property managers and hotels can face complaints when a new guest or tenant is bitten by fleas left behind by a previous occupant’s pet.

Where Fleas Hide in South Florida Homes and Businesses

• On pets: adult fleas live on the animal, moving quickly through its fur.
• Pet resting areas: pet beds, blankets, crates and favorite spots on sofas and beds.
• Carpets and rugs: larvae and pupae hide deep in the fibers, along wall edges and under furniture.
• Upholstered furniture: cracks between cushions and under seats.
• Shady yard areas: under decks, porches, hedges and trees, in dog runs and in other protected spots where pets lie down and where sunlight and rain do not reach.
• Under decks, porches and raised homes: where opossums, raccoons and feral cats can bring new fleas onto the property.
• Vacant units: pupae can wait in empty homes and apartments until new occupants arrive.

When Fleas Are Most Active in South Florida

How to Prevent Fleas

• Treat every pet, all year. The CDC recommends treating pets for fleas year-round. Ask your veterinarian which product fits your pet’s species, age, weight and health, and always follow the label; pet products are not interchangeable.
• Bathe, brush and check pets. Regular grooming and flea combing help you catch fleas early.
• Wash bedding. Wash pet bedding, blankets and rugs regularly.
• Vacuum often. Vacuum carpets, rugs, furniture and wall edges, and empty the vacuum outside. Vacuuming removes eggs and flea dirt, although it does not remove every larva and pupa.
• Mow and rake. The CDC notes that mowing exposes the soil to the sun, which fleas avoid, and recommends raking to remove debris.
• Do not overwater. The CDC lists avoiding overwatering among its yard tips for preventing fleas.
• Keep wildlife away. Store pet food in sealed containers, clear brush and junk, seal holes under the house and do not feed stray or wild animals. Our wildlife and rodent control services can help keep animals from nesting near your home.
• Use repellent outdoors. When you spend time in areas where fleas are likely, the CDC recommends EPA-registered repellents, used according to the label.

How Toro Gets Rid of Fleas

1. InspectionA Toro technician inspects the inside and outside of your home to find where fleas are developing, such as carpets, pet bedding, furniture, crawl spaces and the shady spots where your pets rest outdoors.
2. Preparation and pet coordinationWe explain how to prepare: vacuum, wash bedding and arrange for every pet to be treated by your veterinarian at the same time, because the home and the animals must be treated together.
3. Targeted treatmentWe treat the indoor and outdoor areas where flea eggs, larvae and adults are found, focusing on pet resting areas instead of blanket spraying, using products applied according to their label directions.
4. Follow-upNew fleas can keep emerging from protected cocoons, so we schedule follow-up service as needed to break the life cycle. Our 110% Satisfaction Guarantee means that if the bugs come back, so will Toro, at no additional cost to you.

Toro has protected South Florida families and their pets since 1969, from Coral Gables and Doral to West Palm Beach. We respond within 24 hours, guaranteed, and offer a free inspection plus $25 off your first service. Call 305-594-4767. Hablamos Español.

Fleas: Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pests

• Ticks
• Bed Bugs
• Mosquitoes
• Roof Rats
• Mice
• Ants

Pest Control Across South Florida

Toro treats fleas in homes and businesses throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, including:

• Miami
• Hialeah
• Doral
• Miami Beach
• Coral Gables
• Homestead
• Fort Lauderdale
• Hollywood
• Pembroke Pines
• Miramar
• Boca Raton
• West Palm Beach

Last updated: October 29, 2026