The Difference Between Flea and Bed Bug Bites

When mysterious bug bites appear, it’s important to know what insect is causing them so you can prevent more. Two common, sneaky culprits with similar-looking bites are fleas and bed bugs. While both pests feed on blood and leave behind itchy welts, their bites and behaviors have subtle differences that can help you figure out which pest you’re dealing with.

What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like & Feel Like Compared to Flea Bites?

Bed bug bites have a dark red center (the puncture site) that’s surrounded by a lighter red, inflamed area. The look is often compared to a mosquito bite, but bed bug bites usually appear in small clusters or lines. Their bites can cause itching, a burning sensation, and swelling. Irritation often starts subtle and increases after one or two days. Flea bites, compared to bed bug bites, itch almost immediately.

Flea bites are generally smaller and brighter red than bed bug bites. They look like red bumps surrounded by a halo of irritated skin. Flea bites on people are typically on the lower legs, ankles, and feet – areas easily accessible to fleas jumping from floors. On pets, fleas bite the base of the tail, neck, stomach, and legs, where more skin is exposed. Flea bites are more scattered than bed bug bites. Fleas bite multiple times in the same area, but the red spots are sporadically spaced.

Further differences between flea bites and bed bug bites are the time of day they bite, the areas of the body they bite, and other signs beyond the bites. If you’re still unsure whether you’re dealing with a flea or bed bug problem, find more evidence.

Flea Bites vs. Bed Bug Bites

Use these bite comparisons to help determine if you’re dealing with bed bugs or fleas. We’ve also included a quick-reference table below these.

Bite size:

›         Flea bites are 1–3 mm in diameter

›         Bed bug bites are 5–7 mm in diameter

Bite pattern:

›         Flea bite patterns typically look like random clusters.

›         Bed bug bites often appear in a straight line, zigzag pattern, or triangle.

Bite location:

›         Flea bites are most common on the ankles, feet, and lower legs.

›         Bed bug bites are most common on the arms, legs, and neck.

Bite Timing:

›         Fleas are active during the day.

›         Bed bugs are nocturnal, emerging at night.

Irritation:

›         Flea bites are immediately visible and itchy.

›         Bed bug bites can take a couple of hours, or even days, to be visible and itchy. 

Hiding spots:

›         Fleas often hide in carpet where they can burrow until they jump on a host. You may see them jumping around, especially if the infestation is severe.

›         Bed bugs hide in small crevices in walls, mattresses, bed frames, and cushions near potential food sources.

Excrement stains:

›         Fleas may cause dark reddish-brown stains with their excrement.

›         Bed bugs may cause rusty orange stains with their excrement.

This table distills all the identifiers:

Do Bed Bugs Bite Pets?

Yes. Bed bugs are opportunistic feeders and will bite dogs, cats, and other animals if a human host isn’t available. Since they can’t cling to fur or move easily through it, like fleas can, bed bugs don’t live on pets and usually bite areas with less fur, like the stomach, ears, or legs.

Read more: How to Help Prevent Bed Bugs When Traveling

How to Relieve Flea Bites

Use these methods to treat flea bite symptoms on a person:

›         Clean the area gently with soap and cool water to reduce the risk of infection.

›         Apply a cold compress or ice pack for 10 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and itching.

›         Use anti-itch cream, such as calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, or antihistamine cream.

›         Avoid scratching, as it could break the skin and lead to infection.

›         Watch for signs of infection, such as warmth, lingering and bright redness, blisters, or puss. See a doctor if you see any of these signs or feel unwell.

What about your dog or cat? Fleas will live on a pet once they’ve found a good spot to hide and feed. Because of this, you’ll need to take extra steps to help your pet:

›         Contact your vet for oral or topical flea treatments.

›         Wash all pet bedding in hot and soapy water to kill additional fleas.

›         Vacuum carpets regularly after a flea infestation.

›         Bathe your pet with gentle flea shampoo, apply pet-safe anti-itch sprays or creams, and use a cool compress to reduce swelling. For any topical treatment, first test it on a small area of your pet to make sure it doesn’t cause a bad reaction.

›         Trim your pet’s nails to prevent them from scratching themselves too deeply. Your vet may also recommend a cone to prevent your pet from gnawing or licking flea bites.

Learn all about fleas and how to help get rid of them with our flea control information! Hint: Your local Mosquito Squad Plus® has you covered.

How to Treat Bed Bug Bites

Follow these steps to treat symptoms of bed bug bites:

›         Wash the bites with mild soap and warm water.

›         Reduce the swelling by applying a cold compress or ice pack 10 minutes at a time.

›         Soothe your skin with hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, or antihistamine cream.

›         Seek medical care if you experience a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, blisters, or unusual swelling, get medical attention to help relieve severe symptoms.

Be sure to find professional extermination services for eliminating the bed bug infestation inside your home. A complex approach is necessary, and DIY solutions may not be 100% effective.

While you don’t have to worry about bed bugs living on pets, they can bite pets. If your pet has bed bug bites, soothe their skin with a bath, pet-safe anti-itch products, and cold compresses. Try to prevent them from scratching the bites.

Avoid Insect Bites with Professional Support

Deter biting pests like fleas, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and more from your home and yard with a professional barrier treatment from your local pros at Mosquito Squad Plus^®. Our treatment helps kill targeted pests on contact and continues to deter them for up to 21 days after our visit. If pests are entering your home, we apply a special outdoor perimeter spray around all potential entrances to help prevent insects from invading.

Request a cost-free quote online or call us at (877) 332-2239, and reclaim your home from pests.