Bed Bug Bites VS Flea Bites – How Can I Tell the Difference?

The ultimate guide on how you can tell the difference between the bite of a bed bug, and the bite of a flea.

Worried you have a pest problem? It can be difficult to decipher what the pest at hand is by bite alone, especially if you’re torn between it being from a bed bug and a flea.

So how can you really tell the difference between a bed bug bite, and a flea bite?

Read on for the ultimate guide on how you can tell the difference between these two kinds of bite.

Are There Any Similarities?

First of all, you’re probably wondering whether or not there are any similarities between the two kinds of bite.

If there is a small group of bites in one place on your skin, then this could easily be either a flea or a bed bug bite. Both of which tend to be found on the upper half of your body too, which can make things even more confusing.

Keep reading to find out more about the further symptoms of both bites, which will help in identifying which pest is causing you the problem.

Flea Bites

First things first, we’re going to be taking a look at flea bites in a little more detail.

Fleas are tiny little blood – suckers, and tend to be found living on animals, which tends to be how humans end up with flea bites, as many of us are pet owners.

Fleas, although they can’t fly, can jump as far as up to eighteen centimetres. As soon as they can latch onto a host, the biting begins.

The Symptoms of Flea Bites

One of the key ways of identifying a flea bite, is knowing what symptoms to look out for.

The common symptoms of flea bites tend to be small red bite marks on your skin, and an intense feeling of itching. The bites are sometimes in little groups of three.

You’ll usually find flea bites in the following areas on the body:

•         Waist.
•         Ankles.
•         Arm pits.
•         The lower waist.
•         In the bend of your knees / elbows.
•         Other skin folds.

How Should I Treat a Flea Bite?

If you’re concerned that you’ve been bitten by a flea, the first thing you’ll want to know is the right way to treat the bite in question.

You should be sure to thoroughly wash the bite with soap and water, and if the bite is itchy, then apply a topical anti – itch cream to the area.

If you think you may have had an allergic reaction to the bite, now is the time to take an anti – histamine, or if you’re concerned, contact your doctor.

Bed Bug Bites

Next up, we’re taking a look at the bite of a bed bug in a little more depth, in order to help you tell them apart that bit easier.

Similarly to the flea, the bed bug survives on the blood of his host – we know, a little vampiric to say the least.

To look at they are small and reddish brown, and are less likely to come out through the day, because they tend to hide in dark places, and bite people only once they are sleeping. They do this because they’re attracted to body heat, and the carbon dioxide which is produced upon exhalation.

Generally speaking, bed bugs will hide in:

•         Mattresses.
•         Bed frames.
•         Carpets.
•         Box springs.

They can be found in hotels, hospitals, and in the home too.

The Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites

Bed bugs, similarly, to fleas, tend to bite the upper part of the body, including the following areas:

•         Neck.
•         Face.
•         Arms.
•         Back.

The bite itself is small, and will have a dark red spot in the centre. Sometimes they appear in a cluster / line, and they will get worse if you itch them

How Should I Treat a Bed Bug Bite?

Last of all, but by no means least, we come to how you should treat a bed bug bite.

The bite should really go away after a week or two, and you should seek medical advice if:

•         The bites aren’t gone within two weeks.
•         You develop an infection from itching the bites.
•         You have an allergic reaction, such as hives.

If you need to treat the bite, you can use a topical steroid on your skin, or take antihistamines orally. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics for infection.

 Thanks for reading!