Do I have Fleas or Bedbugs?
Not to mention the biting & itching they inflict, these two critters can sometimes be very confusing to differentiate, so let us compare and try to make it a bit easier for the reader here.
Hosts & Habits
Both do require a blood host to thrive but Bedbugs favor biting human blood while fleas will take a hairy/furry animal as a host such as your cats and dogs
Fleas can survive in the pupa stage (spending several months without a host) and the adult can only live for a maximum of 2 weeks, while Bedbugs can survive for up to 1 year with feed.
Fleas lay 300 eggs per week to the 200 that a Bedbug can only lay in the whole of its 1-year life cycle
Fleas typically also jump from one host to another, while bedbugs crawl
Fleas carry diseases and bedbugs carry no human pathogens
But what do they look like?
Bedbugs: Flat body, red/brown in color and size is range between 1.5mm to 5mm. The most common identification of bedbugs is the digested food in the corners/piping of your mattress / couches.
Fleas: Body oval shaped, brown/red in colour and from 1.5 mm to 3.3 mm. Fleas are usually found on pets / carpets and upholstery.
Differences in Bites
Flea Bites: Flea Bites shall come out as small red marks and a very strong itching, and normally they do show up on:
Waist
Feet/lower leg areas
Armpits
Ankles
Elbows
Knees
Skin Folds
Bedbug Bites: The bites of a bedbug is very small & will have a dark red dot in the middle. They will typically appear in a line/cluster format & will worsen if you scratch them. They will typically appear on:
Hands
Neck
Face
Arms
Treatments
Bedbugs :
Vacuum your floors
Wash your bed linens and other upholstery using hot water and eucalyptus oil
Bag up clothing and linen and put them in below-freezing temperatures for several days.
Remove infested items from your home permanently.
Alternatively, give a call at Professional Pest Control for any further advice or treatment Options
Fleas :
Vacuum floors and carpets
Disinfecting your carpets and drapes with the steam cleaning
Mowing your lawn
Bathing your pet with a veterinarian-approved Flea shampoo
Examining your pets for fleas
Applying a flea collar to your pet or using flea drops like Frontline
Or contact Professional Pest Control for more guidance or treatment Options
Termishield Termite Treatment Midvale offers all pest control services in Midvale and surroundings. Feel free to contact us at (08) 6275 6571 or visit our website:
https://termishieldtermitetreatment.com.au/
