Bed Bug Bites vs Flea Bites: How to Tell the Difference

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Bed bugs actually disappeared for about 40 years, but then they mysteriously reappeared in the ’90s. Ever since they’ve been a common nuisance. 

Since bed bugs are back, it can be difficult to tell the difference between bed bug bites vs flea bites.

Bed bugs and fleas share a lot of similarities, and at first glance, their bites can look the same. Thankfully, we have some tips to help you figure out which pest you’re dealing with. 

Bed Bug Bite Symptoms

Bed bugs like to feed on blood, and if you seem them, they are somewhat red or brown. They’re shaped like an oval, but they’re small so it’s really difficult to see them. It might be difficult to see them because they like to hide in places you normally wouldn’t look.

They like to hide in box springs, carpets, mattresses, and bed frames. Bed bugs like to stay near your bed so they can bite you while you’re sleeping since they’re attracted to your body heat you produce under the covers.

They come out at night when you’re sleeping, so you’ll likely wake up with new bites if you have bed bugs. 

One key sign that you have bed bugs is that most of the bites will be on the upper half of your body. You’ll see bites on your face, neck, arms, and hands as well. The bite will be small and have a dark red raised circle in the middle of the bite. 

Bed bugs normally bite in a line or some sort of patterns, like a zigzag. This is the biggest sign you’re dealing with a bed bug problem.

Flea Bite Symptoms

On the other hand, fleas will also look like red circles on your skin, and they will be just as itchy. However, these bites have a different pattern and are normally grouped together in multiples of three. 

While bed bugs bite the upper half of your body, fleas will bite the lower half on your legs, feet, ankles, or other folds in your skin. 

Once a flea lands on you, they will attach to you as their new host and start feeding on your blood. 

How to Tell if You Have Fleas

In addition to looking at the types of bites you have, you might be able to look for other clues to see if you have fleas or bed bugs. 

With fleas, you can get a flea trap to try and get them. There are some homemade traps you can make as well. However, if these don’t work, it doesn’t necessarily rule out fleas completely. 

Fleas normally come into your home once they’re attached to your pets. If you’ve taken to your dog to a dog park lately or come into contact with someone else or another dog who has fleas, chances are high that that’s the pest you’re dealing with. 

How to Tell if You Have Bed Bugs

When you have bed bugs, they won’t come in on your pet, but you’ll normally carry them in. Staying at dirty hotels or buying used furniture could easily bring bed bugs into your home. 

The bed bugs can be difficult to find during the day, but they may leave behind dark bloodstains on your bedding from where they bit you at night. 

They may also leave their waste in small brown pellets around your house. Sometimes they also shed their exoskeleton, and you’ll find clear, flaky pieces toward the end of your bed. 

Some people have even reported finding some bed bug eggs in their house. 

What to do if You Have Fleas

After investigating, you might have determined that you do in fact have a flea problem. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can get rid of them and also ensure that they don’t make a reappearance. 

The best option you can do is to call a pest control company, especially if the problem is widespread. 

However, there are a few things you can temporarily do, like changing the bedsheets and washing everything possible in your house. 

Take your pet to the vet to get anti-flea medicine and help treat them as well. They may also give you more medication options for your pet to prevent this in the future.  Fleas prefer the fur of a pet, but once the vet treats them, the fleas will die and not be able to live off your pet. 

Take care of your pet and regularly groom them and check their skin to ensure that they don’t have any fleas attached to them when they come into your house.

What do do if You Have Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can be a little bit trickier to get rid of, but a pest control professional can help you get rid of them. 

If you don’t want to hire a professional yet, you can also check out this article: https://www.custombedbug.com/blog/5-effective-ways-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs-fast-in-portland-oregon/.

Learn More About the Differences Between Bed Bug Bites vs Flea Bites

When trying to decide if you’re dealing with bed bug bites vs flea bites, it can be a stressful time while also trying to get your home back from these pests.

When you have these bites, make sure you don’t scratch or itch them because it can make them worse and also leave you open to infections.

Thankfully, we have even more tips for you on how to deal with things like this. If you enjoyed this article, make sure that you explore our website to find more just like this one!

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