Fleas vs. bed bugs

Fleas and bed bugs are both small pests that feed on blood and hide in tight spaces, but they behave and look differently. Knowing the differences between fleas and bed bugs can help you figure out which pest you're dealing with.

If you suspect you have either fleas or bed bugs, act fast and contact a pest control professional who will help eliminate the infestation. Western Exterminator is your expert in flea and bed bug removal and prevention. Call us at 888-402-2521 or contact us online to find out more details about how we can help.

What’s the difference between flea bites and bed bug bites?

Bed bugs and fleas have traits in common – they both feed on blood, are small, and both are unwelcome in your home or business. Both of these pests present different problems and have certain characteristics which differentiate them from each other. It begs the question: when you see insects on your property, how do you know if they are bed bugs vs. fleas? Western Exterminator takes a look at the difference between flea bites vs. bed bug bites.

Bed bug bites vs. flea bites

Nobody wants to be bitten by any pest, including fleas or bug bugs, but if you are bitten, it can help to know that there are differences between their bites.

Fleas tend to bite on the lower body, so if you see bites on your upper body, they could be because of bed bugs. Additionally, flea bites tend to itch more immediately, though some people show no reaction to bed bug bites or flea bites at all. No matter which kind of bites you encounter, you should take them seriously and look for other signs that an infestation may be present.

Although both bed bugs and fleas feed on blood, flea larvae feed on frass (feces). Adult fleas are the only life stage which requires a blood meal in order to reproduce. Bed bugs prefer to feed on humans while fleas prefer animals.

Fleas vs. bed bugs: appearance

If you see a little bug crawling around in your bedroom and you suspect it’s a flea or a bed bug, here’s one way to tell them apart: bed bugs appear flat and wide while fleas are narrow when looked at sideways. Adults of both pests are brown (bed bugs turn a reddish-brown after a blood meal). Adult bed bugs are roughly 3/16 inch long, and fleas roughly ⅛ inch.

Bed bugs and fleas develop differently. Bed bugs undergo gradual metamorphosis (eggs, nymphs, then adults). Fleas go through complete metamorphosis (eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults). Here are more facts about bed bug and flea stages:

• Bed bug nymphs resemble adult bed bugs, but are paler and smaller in size.
• The larvae of cat fleas resemble maggots.
• Bed bug eggs are white. Cat flea eggs are pearly white.

Do bed bugs look like fleas? Key visual differences

While both are small and hard to spot, bed bugs and fleas have different body shapes. Bed bugs are rounder, with flat, broad bodies that darken to reddish-brown after feeding. Fleas are slimmer, taller from the side, and built for jumping.

Fleas are fast jumpers, using their powerful hind legs to leap several inches, often from pets to carpets, bedding, or furniture. Their narrow, tall bodies are built for quick, erratic movement. In contrast, bed bugs are slow crawlers that cannot jump or fly.

Another difference to look out for is where you find them. Fleas often live on pets and in pet bedding, while bed bugs hide close to where people sleep, such as the bed frame and bedding.

How to prevent bed bugs and fleas

Of course, it‘s best to avoid getting fleas or bed bugs in the first place. Bed bug activity generates a lot of stress, particularly if you operate a business where people sleep, like a hotel or apartment building. And it’s never fun to see your pet suffering from fleas.

Examine the headboard of your bed for bed bugs when staying in a hotel room, and check the seams and every crevice of the mattress. Before bringing furniture inside your home, look for signs of bed bugs as well.  If you suspect bed bugs, visit our bed bug pest service to see how we can assist.

For flea prevention, get regular flea treatments for your pet from your veterinarian.

How to get rid of bed bugs and fleas

Western Exterminator provides treatments to help get rid of both bed bugs and fleas. Western’s bed bug treatments utilize pest control products, heat treatments and fumigation. Our flea exterminators use chemicals to treat carpets and the places where pets rest.

If you’ve got a bed bug or flea problem, have it taken care of as soon as possible. Signs of bed bugs include:

• Shed bed bug skins
• Fecal spots (which look like black spots)
• Adult bed bugs

If your pet is scratching itself excessively or you spot fleas on your pet you may have a flea problem. To recap: Bed bugs, as their name implies, are usually found on or near a bed but can also be found anywhere people sit. Cat fleas are usually found in places where pets spend their time.

Western Exterminator provides treatments to help get rid of both bed bugs and fleas. Western‘s bed bug treatments utilize pest control products, heat treatments and fumigation. Our flea control treatments use chemicals to treat carpets and the places where pets rest. If your pet has fleas, visit a vet for flea treatments.

If you live in California, you may notice bed bugs and fleas are prevalent all year long (although fleas are more common during the spring and summer). Just because the season changes doesn’t mean you can relax. You need to stay alert for these insects and the troubles they create.

Western understands fleas and bed bugs infesting your home or business can be unnerving. Our technicians will provide treatment to help eradicate the pests. Contact your local Western Exterminator office today.

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