what attracts fleas to humans are annoying at the best of times but they can also transmit diseases and cause severe itching. Many pet owners struggle with this pest, which is why it’s important to take preventative measures and use a good flea spray for indoor and outdoor use.

Interestingly, humans are not the ideal host for fleas, but they will still bite us when other hosts are unavailable. This is because they have certain basic survival instincts. The main reason is that they are hungry and need to fill their stomachs. Blood is essential for their survival so they will seek it wherever they can find it.

While it is not conclusive, some scientists believe that there is a difference in the chemical makeup of human skin that may influence how fleas react to specific individuals. Other theories suggest that odors from skin secretions and the emission of gases like carbon dioxide may signal that one individual will provide a more satiating meal than another.

In addition to detecting a potential source of food, fleas are also attracted to warmth. This is why they tend to be more active in warmer climates and why the flea season typically occurs during the summer months. Fleas are also phototactic which means they have photoreceptors that detect changes in light, even though they do not have the ability to see with their own eyes.

Finally, fleas have a very strong sense of smell and can detect carbon dioxide that is emitted when larger animals breathe out. This allows them to locate potential hosts more easily.