Bed bugs and fleas are both tiny, annoying pests that bite—but they are very different in how they behave and where they live. Many pet owners mistake bed bug bites for flea bites, leading to confusion in treatment. Here’s how you can tell the difference and take the right action.

Bed Bug

Flea on Pet Animals

1. Where Do They Live?

Bed Bugs: Hide in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and cracks in walls. They don’t live on pets but may bite them.

Fleas: Live on pets and in carpets, bedding, and upholstery. They spend most of their time on animals.

2. How Do They Look?

Bed Bugs: Flat, reddish-brown, oval-shaped, and about the size of an apple seed.

Fleas: Tiny (1-2mm), dark brown, and have long legs designed for jumping.

3. Bites and Symptoms

Bed Bug Bites: Appear in clusters or a line, mostly on exposed skin (arms, neck, face). They are itchy and inflamed but don’t usually cause severe allergic reactions.

Flea Bites: Small, red, and often found on legs and ankles or around pet’s fur. They can cause intense itching and allergic reactions in some pets.

4. Movement and Behavior

Bed Bugs: Slow crawlers, come out at night to feed, and hide in cracks and crevices.

Fleas: Jump quickly from one host to another and are constantly moving.

5. How to Get Rid of Them?

Bed Bugs: Requires deep cleaning, vacuuming, heat treatments, and sometimes professional extermination.

Fleas: Treat pets with flea shampoos, sprays, or vet-recommended treatments. Wash pet bedding and vacuum carpets frequently.

Mistaking bed bugs for fleas can delay proper treatment and lead to an infestation spreading in your home. If you’re unsure which pest you’re dealing with, PesTTrack provides expert pest control solutions to identify and eliminate infestations. What if the bites you see aren’t from fleas but from something much harder to get rid of?