How to Differentiate Between Fleas and Bed Bugs?

Waking up covered in itchy, irritating bites and suspecting they come from those pesky little bugs? You may have bed bugs or fleas! This distinction is vital to finding an appropriate solution.

Let’s start with fleas. They are very small: brown, approximately 3mm long and have a very flat body with super potent legs to allow these little creatures to jump as high as 50 times their body length. Bed bugs, on the other hand, are also brown but can appear somewhat reddish depending on the last time they fed. They’re slightly bigger too, growing up to 5mm in length and 2mm in width and are flat and oval in shape. But alas, bed bugs are an absolute pain to eradicate because they are hardy little survivors that can withstand harsh conditions.

What Habitats Do Bed Bugs & Fleas Prefer?

Both bed bugs and fleas are drawn to dark, cozy places such as the crevices in couch cushions, underneath floorboards and even your shoes. Since fleas are particularly attracted to damp environment, they tend to make their home in the dark damp places which retain moisture. Since fleas tend to remain near their food source, they’re, generally speaking, a tad easier to spot than bed bugs, which prefer to emerge at night when they can dine on you while your sleeping self is none the wiser, then retreat to their lairs.

How Do I Know If I’ve Been Bitten?

Flea bites are akin to mosquito bites in that they are sharp and fast! They’re also a frequent sight around your feet, legs, and ankles. They’re commonly associated with a mosquito bite than a flea, but the scratching will spread more. Bed bug bites occur anywhere on your body since the disgusting little cowards feed on your flesh while you slumber. However, they prefer your face, neck, arms, and hands to cuter biting regions. These bites may spread out or immediately augment with a red dot in the middle. Infections may quickly spread across your body if you don’t stop scratching your itchy bed bug or flea bites. Only fleas may transmit creatures like roundworm and tapeworm. Grid your loins and make the necessary phone calls!

If you think you might have a pest problem, don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

Precise Termite Treatment Rivervale offers all pest control services in Rivervale and surroundings. Feel free to contact us at (08) 6103 5097 or visit our website:

https://precisetermitetreatment.com.au/