Sticktight fleas are ectoparasites that, as adults, embed themselves into the skin of chickens, turkeys, and other animals. They are usually not problematic in poultry systems where birds are housed in cages suspended above the ground. Sticktight fleas are most common in free-range and backyard poultry systems. Immature fleas require organic substrate in the litter or soil to develop. This habitat is not available to fleas in caged-bird systems.