The location of the bites and the evidence found in the home help distinguish flea bites from bed bug bites more reliably than the appearance of the bites themselves. Fleas mainly bite the ankles and lower legs, while bed bugs bite exposed parts of the body during sleep.
Key Points
- Flea bites are mainly found around the ankles and lower legs, as well as where clothing fits tightly against the body.
- Bed bug bites affect exposed areas during sleep: arms, shoulders, back, abdomen, and legs.
- Fleas jump, while bed bugs neither jump nor fly.
- Small black spots on sheets and mattresses suggest bed bugs, while droppings resembling grains of black pepper in an animal’s fur suggest fleas.
- Bed bugs do not transmit diseases, whereas fleas can transmit bacteria; in both cases, scratching can lead to skin infections.
- The treatment differs: a veterinarian and a vacuum cleaner for fleas, and a certified exterminator for bed bugs.
Bed Fleas, Fleas, or Bed Bugs: Which Insect Are We Talking About?
In Quebec, people sometimes use the term bed flea to refer to a bed bug. This article compares actual fleas, such as cat and dog fleas, with bed bugs.
An adult flea measures less than 6 mm, is dark brown, and has a hind pair of legs adapted for jumping. According to Penn State Extension, the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is the most common flea found on cats and dogs.
An adult bed bug is oval, flat, and brown, measuring 4 to 7 mm, about the size of an apple seed. It is visible to the naked eye, does not jump or fly, and moves at the speed of an ant, according to the Government of Quebec.
Signs that distinguish flea bites from bed bug bites.
Where Do the Bites Appear on the Body?
Flea bites are mainly found around the ankles and lower legs. They can also appear around the waist, buttocks, thighs, and lower abdomen, where clothing fits tightly against the skin, as described by MedlinePlus. Fleas bite humans when seeking another food source, and their presence is almost always associated with a cat or dog.
Bed bug bites affect areas exposed during sleep: the arms, shoulders, back, abdomen, and legs. They are often numerous, and in someone who has slept in a heavily infested place, the first bites may appear in clusters or lines before appearing across other areas of the skin.
What Do Flea Bites and Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
Flea bites appear as small red bumps, often in groups of three, that are very itchy. Blisters may also develop in people with allergies.
A bed bug bite resembles a mosquito bite: a raised red bump. The itching is often more intense early in the morning and decreases throughout the day. For comparison, see these photos of bed bug bites.
Appearance alone is not enough to reach a conclusion. Reactions vary from person to person, and some people do not react to bed bugs at all. Therefore, one person sharing a bed may have bites while the other has no marks.
| Criteria | Flea Bites | Bed Bug Bites |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Ankles, lower legs, waist, buttocks, thighs, lower abdomen | Arms, shoulders, back, abdomen, legs |
| Appearance | Small red bumps, often in groups of three | Raised red bumps resembling mosquito bites |
| Timing | Depending on contact with the insect | Itching is often more intense early in the morning |
| Insect | Jumps | Neither jumps nor flies |
| Evidence | Droppings resembling grains of black pepper in animal fur | Black spots on sheets and mattresses |
| Animal | Almost always associated with a cat or dog | Rarely bites animals |
Signs to Look for in the Home
Fleas spend most of their time on animals. They can jump up to approximately 15 cm high and may cling to shoes and the lower parts of trousers. Their droppings, which consist of digested blood, resemble black pepper grains in the fur. Their eggs fall into carpets, under cushions, and wherever the animal sleeps, according to the University of Kentucky.
Bed bugs mainly live in bedrooms and are most active at night. Signs include small black spots on sheets, mattresses, or bed frames, live or dead bed bugs, shed skins, and whitish eggs laid in clusters, about the size of a pinhead. For more information, read how to tell if you have bed bugs.
Mattress seams and the bed frame are the first places to inspect.
How to Inspect the Bed, Mattress, and Pet’s Sleeping Area
Start with the bed, because bed bugs first hide in the mattress and bed frame near the person sleeping. Then inspect the areas frequented by your pet.
- Examine the mattress seams and underside, bed frame, headboard, and baseboards, as a bed bug can squeeze into a gap as thin as a credit card.
- Look for black spots, shed skins, and eggs using a flashlight.
- Check your pet’s bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture, then part the fur to look for flea droppings.
- Also check the lower parts of your trousers and your shoes after passing near your pet’s sleeping area, as fleas can cling to them.
Bites and Health: When Should You Seek Medical Advice?
Bed bugs do not transmit diseases through their bites. Fleas, however, can transmit bacteria to humans through their bites, according to MedlinePlus, which is why an infestation should not be allowed to become established. Bed bug bite marks may disappear within a few hours or a few days if no new bites occur. Wash the skin with cool water and mild, fragrance-free soap, and avoid scratching, as repeated scratching can cause skin infections.
Consult a doctor if you experience an allergic reaction, blisters, or if the skin becomes swollen, very red, warm, and painful, as indicated by the Government of Quebec. Your pharmacist or Info-Santé 811 can also advise you if you are unsure whether to seek medical attention. Only a healthcare professional can assess your symptoms. Tick bites require separate attention: learn how to recognize a tick bite.
A flea comb helps identify fleas and their droppings in an animal’s fur.
Fleas or Bed Bugs: The Treatment Is Not the Same
For Fleas
Treating the animal is essential, and your veterinarian should advise you on the appropriate treatment. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and your pet’s bedding, then dispose of the vacuum bag in an outdoor garbage bin. Flea pupae are protected by cocoons that resist insecticides and can remain in this stage for 1 to 4 weeks, or longer in an unoccupied home. This is why vacuuming daily for several weeks is recommended. A few fleas may still appear for several weeks after treatment. Also see the information about fleas in winter.
For Bed Bugs
Do not apply insecticides yourself: if used incorrectly, they can be dangerous and may make bed bugs more resistant. Contact an exterminator whose company holds a C5 or D5 permit and whose employees hold a CD5 certificate, according to the Government of Quebec. Put textiles in a dryer at a very high temperature for at least 30 minutes. If you rent your home, notify your landlord immediately so they can contact an exterminator.
Frequently asked questions about flea and bed bug bites
No, but it points to fleas first, especially if you have a cat or a dog. Look for jumping fleas and droppings in the coat to confirm.
They rarely bite domestic animals. If your pet is scratching a lot, fleas are more likely.
Reactions vary greatly from one individual to another. Some sleepers do not react at all, while others develop red welts.
Bed bugs do not transmit any diseases through their bites. Fleas, however, can transmit bacteria to humans through their bites. If you have any concerns about symptoms, speak to a doctor, your pharmacist, or Info-Santé 811.
It lives for 5 to 6 months and can survive for more than a year without feeding while in a dormant state, and its eggs hatch in 10 to 14 days.
If you suspect bed bugs, do not apply any insecticides yourself and contact a certified exterminator. We use heat, steam, freezing, and canine detection. You can read about our bed bug treatments.
Contact your nearest branch: Montreal at 514-613-5594, Sherbrooke at 819-200-5332, Granby at 450-915-1482, or elsewhere at 877-438-5454.