Differences Between Bed Bugs and Fleas: How to Spot the Right Pest

By ThermoPest – Your Local Pest Control Experts

So, you’ve found yourself covered in bites, scratching away, and now you’re wondering—what’s causing it? Is it bed bugs? Could it be fleas? These two pests often get mixed up, and trust me, I’ve seen it plenty of times. While they both leave you itchy and uncomfortable, bed bugs and fleas have some clear differences that can help you figure out exactly what you’re dealing with. Let’s break down the main ways to tell bed bugs and fleas apart so you can handle the problem the right way.

Why Do People Confuse Bed Bugs and Fleas?

It’s easy to see why people get bed bugs and fleas mixed up. They’re both small, fast, and love to bite. Plus, they can turn up in your bed, your sofa, or even your pet’s favourite spot on the carpet. But here’s the thing: these pests have different habits, looks, and ways of making your life miserable. Knowing the differences can help you figure out what’s biting you and, more importantly, how to get rid of them.

Appearance: How Do Bed Bugs and Fleas Look?

Now, if you could get these pests under a magnifying glass (and who wouldn’t want to, right?), you’d spot some clear differences in how they look.

Size and Shape

Bed bugs are pretty easy to identify once you know what to look for. They’re oval-shaped, flat, and about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, they swell up and get a bit more rounded. They’re reddish-brown, and while they’re small, they’re big enough to see without a microscope.

Fleas, on the other hand, are much smaller—about 1-3mm long. They’ve got narrow, long bodies and are dark brown or black. Fleas are built for jumping (which we’ll get to in a moment), so their bodies are more streamlined than bed bugs.

Colour

When it comes to colour, bed bugs are reddish-brown, especially after they’ve had a good feed. Before feeding, they can look more yellowish or translucent. Fleas, meanwhile, are darker, ranging from brown to black. If you spot a tiny dark bug on your pet or jumping out of your carpet, you’re probably looking at a flea.

Legs and Movement

Here’s where the real difference shows. Bed bugs have six legs, but they don’t jump or fly. They’re slow movers, crawling their way from one spot to another, especially when they’re looking for their next meal (you, unfortunately). Fleas, however, are Olympic-level jumpers! They’ve got powerful hind legs, allowing them to leap far distances, which is why they seem to disappear when you try to catch them.

Where Do Bed Bugs and Fleas Live?

The places these pests choose to live also give you big clues about what you’re dealing with.

Bed Bugs: Your Bed’s Unwanted Guest

Bed bugs are all about your bed, your sofa, and any furniture close to where you sleep. They’ll hide in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and even the cracks in your walls or floorboards. They come out at night to feed on you while you’re asleep—great, right? They’re not really interested in your pets; it’s your blood they’re after.

Fleas: Pet Lovers

Fleas, on the other hand, are much more interested in your pets. They live on cats, dogs, and other furry animals, biting them for their blood. Fleas can hop off your pet and infest carpets, bedding, and furniture, but they’re always trying to get back to a warm, furry host. That’s why you’ll often find them in your pet’s bedding or favourite spot on the carpet.

What Do Their Bites Look Like?

This is where it gets personal—literally. Both bed bugs and fleas bite, but how those bites appear on your skin can help you figure out which pest is causing the problem.

Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites usually show up in clusters or straight lines. They tend to bite exposed skin, like your arms, neck, or face. These bites often turn into red, itchy welts that can take a while to show up—sometimes it’s hours or even a day later before the itching starts.

Flea Bites

Flea bites tend to be smaller, with a red spot in the centre. You’ll usually find them around your ankles, legs, or waistline. Flea bites itch almost immediately and often appear in random patches rather than lines.

How to Identify Infestations

So, how do you know if your home is infested with bed bugs or fleas? Here’s what to look for:

Bed Bug Infestation Signs

• Blood spots: Small reddish stains on your sheets could be from bed bugs that have been crushed after feeding.
• Dark spots: Bed bug faeces leave tiny dark marks on mattresses, furniture, or walls.
• Shed skins: Bed bugs shed their skins as they grow, so you might find these papery skins around your bed or furniture.
• Live bugs: If you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you see it), you might spot live bed bugs crawling around.

Flea Infestation Signs

• Flea dirt: If you notice little black specks on your pet’s fur or bedding, that’s likely flea faeces.
• Pets scratching: If your dog or cat is constantly scratching or biting at their fur, fleas might be the culprit.
• Fleas jumping: Fleas can jump from carpets or bedding, and if you see a small bug suddenly hop out of sight, it’s probably a flea.

Health Risks: Are Bed Bugs or Fleas Worse?

Both pests can cause serious discomfort, but when it comes to health risks, fleas can carry a bit more danger.

Bed Bug Risks

While bed bugs can cause allergic reactions and drive you mad with itching, they’re not known to spread diseases. Their bites can be irritating, but the biggest issue is the discomfort and the difficulty in getting rid of them.

Flea Risks

Fleas, on the other hand, can carry diseases like typhus and tapeworms (for your pets). If left untreated, a flea infestation can cause your pets a lot of misery, and humans can also suffer from allergic reactions to flea bites.

How to Treat Bed Bug and Flea Infestations

Let’s be honest: both bed bugs and fleas can be a nightmare to deal with. But treating each pest requires a different approach.

Bed Bug Treatment

For bed bugs, you’ll likely need professional help. Treatments include heat treatments, chemical sprays, and special bed bug-proof mattress covers. At ThermoPest, we’ve seen it all when it comes to bed bug infestations, and we’re experts in getting rid of them for good.

Flea Treatment

If it’s fleas you’re dealing with, the first step is to treat your pets with flea medication. Then, you’ll need to vacuum carpets, wash bedding, and use flea sprays or powders to kill any fleas lurking in your home. It can be a bit of a process, but with the right treatments, you can get it under control.

Prevention Tips

Keeping these pests at bay starts with being proactive.

Preventing Bed Bugs

To prevent bed bugs, regularly inspect your bedding and furniture for signs of them, especially if you’ve been travelling. Bed bug-proof mattress covers can also help keep them out.

Preventing Fleas

For fleas, make sure to keep your pets up-to-date with flea treatments, and regularly wash their bedding. Vacuum carpets often to remove any lurking fleas or their eggs.

Need Help? Call ThermoPest

Identifying whether you’ve got bed bugs or fleas is the first step in getting rid of them. If you’re not sure what you’re dealing with—or you just want some professional help—give ThermoPest a call. We specialise in both bed bug and flea infestations, and we can help you tackle the problem quickly and effectively.

Don’t let these pests make you uncomfortable in your own home—get in touch with us today!