Learn To Identify Flea Bites
Flea bites are characterized by red welts on the skin that can sometimes be surrounded by a small rash. These bites are usually extremely itchy. For this reason, flea bites will also tend to have a dark scab in the center, where it has been scratched. However, flea bites aren’t the only itchy bites you can get on your skin. Nor are they the only bites that will leave a rash. Luckily, there are some other ways to tell whether or not those bites on your skin came from fleas.
Do You Have Pets?
When determining whether or not you have flea bites, it is helpful to determine how possible it is that those bites came from fleas. Fleas are often associated with dogs and cats. There is a good reason for this. Fleas look for a host creature to live on, and humans don’t have enough fur to be a suitable host. When humans get bitten, it is usually because an infestation has taken root in a home. Flea infestations are usually the result of a pet bringing fleas in from outside the home. If you have pets, you have a greater chance of getting flea bites. The chances that the bites you have are flea bites will also increase if you have recently stayed overnight at the home of someone who has a pet.
Mosquito Bites vs Flea Bites
Mosquito bites tend to be puffier than flea bites, but this is not always the case. It depends on your skin’s resistance and type of mosquitoes that bit you. If you have hard, red welts, you may need to ask yourself a few questions:
- Have I been outside in the morning or evening when mosquitoes are more active?
- Have I been in the woods, or near an area of wetland?
- Have I been camping?
- Do I have a lot of bites all in one place? (If you do, those bites are probably from something other than mosquitoes. You would remember being bitten a few dozen times in one area, if it had been mosquitoes.)
- Where did I get the bites? If you have lots of bites concentrated on your lower legs and ankles, or in an area that would have been covered by your clothing, they are most likely flea bites.
Bed Bug Bites vs Flea Bites
There is a close similarity between flea bites and bed bugs bites. Both types of bites can happen inside your home, and in great numbers. Bed bug bites also appear on skin that would have been protected from mosquitoes by the clothing you wear–just like those flea bites.
The easiest way to tell flea bites from bed bug bites is by the rash bed bug bites often have around them. But, while this rash can be significant, there is not always a rash associated with bed bug bites. It can take several feedings for the anticoagulant in bed bug saliva to cause a noticeable skin reaction.
Unlike fleas, individual bed bugs feed multiple times. This will make bites appear more purposeful, and less random. If your bites look like they are in lines, or have some type of pattern to them, they are most likely not bites from bed bugs
Chigger Bites vs Flea Bites
If your rashy bites have blisters or pustules, they are not likely to be flea bites. These characteristics are more associated with chigger or spider bites. And chigger bites are another type of bite you are most likely to get outside.
Fly Bite vs Flea bite
It can often be hard to tell the difference between fly bites and flea bites. Both leave bites that look random on the skin. Both leave red welts with a slight rashy halo. Additionally, both leave bites that are itchy enough to make you scratch them, till they leave a small scab. The only way to really tell these two types of bites apart is to assess whether or not you’ve been exposed to flies that bite and where on your skin you’re getting the bites. Like with mosquitoes, fly bites are less likely to be on skin that was covered by clothing.
Get Help From The Professionals At Spencer Pest Services
If you need help determining what type of bites you’re getting, or you’d like professional help sealing biting pests out of your home, Spencer Pest Services would be happy to help. Find out if you’re in our South Carolina service area and reach out to us today!