Most tapeworm eggs last for months while waiting for their intermediate hosts; however, scientists have documented that the eggs of some tapeworms are capable of surviving up to eight months, Animal Diversity Web reports.
Can tapeworms live on surfaces?
Tapeworms can live outside for months, waiting for a host to come along. You're most at risk if you work around livestock or travel to a country where hygiene is poor. You can also be infected if you eat or drink something that contains tapeworm eggs or larvae, like raw or undercooked beef or pork.
Are tapeworms alive when they come out of dogs?
During grooming, or in response to a flea bite, a dog inadvertently ingests the tapeworm infected flea. As the flea is digested in the dog's intestine, the tapeworm egg is released, it hatches, and then anchors itself to the intestinal lining, therefore completing the life cycle.
How long do tapeworms survive on surfaces?
The eggs can survive for months on almost any surface, including grass, carpets, bathroom floors, and bedsheets. If a live tapeworm leaves the body, it can survive for around three weeks without a host.
Can dog worms survive outside?
Their eggs can survive for years in the soil, long after any evidence of pet waste has disappeared. This allows worms to survive virtually anywhere you find pets or people — from backyards and sandboxes to dog parks.
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