Researchers have assumed that the vast majority of ticks become infected when, as larvae, they take their first blood meal from a white - footed mouse. (sciencemag.org)
Female fleas start producing eggs within 24 - 36 hours after they take their first blood meal from their host. (rachelebaker.com)
Adult fleas prefer to live on the animal and their diet consists of blood meals courtesy of the host animal. (thesprucepets.com)