Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat’s Biting Me?LocationAppearancePatternItchingTimingBug BehaviorInfestationWhen to Get Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What’s Biting Me?
Location
Appearance
Pattern
Itching
Timing
Bug Behavior
Infestation
When to Get Help
Pictures of bedbug bites and flea bites can be very helpful when trying to determine what is biting you. Bothbedbugand flea bites appear in clusters or groups, with multiple bites found in close proximity. Both cause small, red, and itchy bumps that may be more or less inflamed depending on your skin’s sensitivity level. And, both insects are nocturnal feeders, which means their bites are often discovered after a night of sleep.
There are several key differences between how and when these insects bite, though. For example, whereas bedbugs tend to attack skin areas that are exposed while you sleep, fleas typically go for the ankles and feet. Comparing your bites to pictures of bedbug bites and flea bites should give you a better idea of which bug is biting you.
triocean / Getty Images
What Is Biting Me at Night?
Bedbugs and fleas share several similarities. Both insects:
But there are also some key differences between the two bugs and their bites:
BedbugsReddish brown in colorOnly feed at night while people sleepBite in a linear patternBite exposed skin areas like arms and legsRed, itchy welts; may have a darker central spotSymptoms may take hours to days to developFound in and around sleeping areas; do not jumpLeave behind small blood stains on beddingFleasDark brown or blackWill feed at any time, but often at nightBite in random clustersBite around ankles and feetSmall, red, itchy bumps; may have a halo around the biteSymptoms appear quickly, often within hoursLive in carpets, pet bedding, on pets; jump from host to hostLeave behind flea dirt (black specks) on pets or bedding
BedbugsReddish brown in colorOnly feed at night while people sleepBite in a linear patternBite exposed skin areas like arms and legsRed, itchy welts; may have a darker central spotSymptoms may take hours to days to developFound in and around sleeping areas; do not jumpLeave behind small blood stains on bedding
Reddish brown in color
Only feed at night while people sleep
Bite in a linear pattern
Bite exposed skin areas like arms and legs
Red, itchy welts; may have a darker central spot
Symptoms may take hours to days to develop
Found in and around sleeping areas; do not jump
Leave behind small blood stains on bedding
FleasDark brown or blackWill feed at any time, but often at nightBite in random clustersBite around ankles and feetSmall, red, itchy bumps; may have a halo around the biteSymptoms appear quickly, often within hoursLive in carpets, pet bedding, on pets; jump from host to hostLeave behind flea dirt (black specks) on pets or bedding
Dark brown or black
Will feed at any time, but often at night
Bite in random clusters
Bite around ankles and feet
Small, red, itchy bumps; may have a halo around the bite
Symptoms appear quickly, often within hours
Live in carpets, pet bedding, on pets; jump from host to host
Leave behind flea dirt (black specks) on pets or bedding
In addition, consider the following descriptions:
Bite Location
Bedbug bites typically appear on skin that is exposed while you sleep, especially the face, arms, and legs.Flea bites, on the other hand, tend to appear on the feet and lower legs.That’s because fleas often live in carpets and floorboards.
Flea bites.Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Bite Appearance
Flea bites often look likemosquito bites, except they don’t swell up as much. You can usually find a small dark dot in the center of the flea bite—the precise wound where the flea’s specially-built mouth punctured the skin.There may be a discolored ring or halo around the bite. The bites themselves tend to feel firm and are no bigger than 2 millimeters across.
Bedbug bites appear as raised, redwelts. The size of the welts varies depending on how sensitive your skin is to chemicals in the bedbug’s saliva. Generally, bedbug bites tend to be a bit larger than flea bites, ranging from 2 to 6 millimeters or larger across.
Bed bug bites.Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Bite Pattern
Bedbug bites on human skin typically appear in groups of three to five. The bites may form a straight line or zigzag pattern. This occurs because bedbugs probe the skin to find the most suitable spot for feeding, then feed for a few minutes before retreating to their hiding place.
Both bedbug bites and flea bites cause a similar sensation—they itch. In some cases, excessive scratching may lead to abacterial infectionif you scratch open the skin.
In addition, flea bites and bedbug bites can both lead to papularurticaria, a hypersensitivity disorder that causes recurring hives that are hot and painful.
Reaction Time
When bedbugs bite, they inject an anesthetic and anticoagulant (anti-clotting) that prevents you from feeling the bite while it occurs. Within hours to days, bedbug bites become so itchy that they may cause you to lose sleep.
Flea bites symptoms develop more rapidly. After a flea bites, the bump will become red, inflamed and persistently itchy within an hour. The bite can turn into an open sore or blister within one to two days.
Feeding Times
Bedbugs may only come out to feed every seven to ten days as you sleep. Adult fleas are more persistent in their feeding times. Fleas will feed numerous times per day and night, often for hours on end or until you get rid of them.
Infestation Signs
Look for signs of bedbugs near places where you and your family sleep, particularly under mattresses, especially along mattress piping. You may have more luck if you do this at night with a flashlight.
Other signs of bedbugs include:
Other signs of fleas include:
Expert Advice on Dealing With Bug Bites on the Eyelid
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Both flea and bedbug bites run the risk of infection, especially when you scratch them. It’s also possible to have allergic reactions to either of these bites. In some cases, those allergic reactions can be serious.
For these reasons, you will want to see a healthcare provider if you experience:
Call 911 if you develop signs ofanaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Signs include difficulty breathing, swelling in the face, rash, nausea, or vomiting.
If you are having difficulty managing a flea or bedbug infestation, or suspect the infestation is significant, reach out to a pest control professional for help.
Summary
Bedbug bites and flea bites share many qualities, including itching, rash, and bite patterns. But there are ways to tell them apart.
For example, bedbug bites may be slightly bigger (the size of a mosquito bite) and tend to occur on skin exposed at night, like the face, arms, and legs. On the other hand, flea bites are smaller and tend to appear on the ankles and feet. Both bites can be intensely itchy.
If you have pets, fleas may be a more likely culprit. Both are challenging to eliminate, so you may want to enlist professional help.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Smithereen Pest Management Services.Bed bug bites vs. flea bites: How to tell the difference.Terminix.How to tell if you have bed bugs or fleas.Nextgen Pest Solutions.Flea bites on humans (pictures & tips).Seattle Children’s Hospital.Bed bug bite.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Flea bites.Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.Bed bug biology and behavior.Peres G, Yugar LBT, Haddad Junior V.Breakfast, lunch, and dinner sign: a hallmark of flea and bedbug bites.An Bras Dermatol. 2018;93(5):759-760. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20187384Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bed bugs.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Bed bugs: diagnosis and treatment.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Smithereen Pest Management Services.Bed bug bites vs. flea bites: How to tell the difference.Terminix.How to tell if you have bed bugs or fleas.Nextgen Pest Solutions.Flea bites on humans (pictures & tips).Seattle Children’s Hospital.Bed bug bite.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Flea bites.Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.Bed bug biology and behavior.Peres G, Yugar LBT, Haddad Junior V.Breakfast, lunch, and dinner sign: a hallmark of flea and bedbug bites.An Bras Dermatol. 2018;93(5):759-760. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20187384Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bed bugs.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Bed bugs: diagnosis and treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Smithereen Pest Management Services.Bed bug bites vs. flea bites: How to tell the difference.Terminix.How to tell if you have bed bugs or fleas.Nextgen Pest Solutions.Flea bites on humans (pictures & tips).Seattle Children’s Hospital.Bed bug bite.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Flea bites.Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.Bed bug biology and behavior.Peres G, Yugar LBT, Haddad Junior V.Breakfast, lunch, and dinner sign: a hallmark of flea and bedbug bites.An Bras Dermatol. 2018;93(5):759-760. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20187384Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bed bugs.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Bed bugs: diagnosis and treatment.
Smithereen Pest Management Services.Bed bug bites vs. flea bites: How to tell the difference.
Terminix.How to tell if you have bed bugs or fleas.
Nextgen Pest Solutions.Flea bites on humans (pictures & tips).
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Bed bug bite.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Flea bites.
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.Bed bug biology and behavior.
Peres G, Yugar LBT, Haddad Junior V.Breakfast, lunch, and dinner sign: a hallmark of flea and bedbug bites.An Bras Dermatol. 2018;93(5):759-760. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20187384
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About bed bugs.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Bed bugs: diagnosis and treatment.
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