Or Is It Bedbug Bites?
Differences between flea bites on humans and bed bugs are closely matched. Almost never do we know when they feed from our blood and the result for most, incredibly itchy red raised bumps.
Fortunately for us, the damage they inflict isn't considered very dangerous. Their bites usually appear in clusters and lines.
Although it's difficult to tell which of these two insects are responsible for your rash there's minor differences to both there feeding habits and bite patterns. But looking at your habits and home may also indicate which biting pest is getting to you.
Bed bugs are commonly introduced to homes by hitching a ride on clothes, luggage and sometimes second hand furniture you buy. Whereas fleas catching a ride on animals or can enter your home where animals aren't far away. The latter insect especially target cats and dogs but we tend to forget about pigeons and bats. Bird nests under or on your roof can harbour fleas. Also look out for pigeons and other birds gathering on your balcony railings or gutters.
Let us take a look at flea bites on humans and compare it with those of bed bugs. The bites of these two parasite species are often mistaken.
Differences we notice when looking at the pictures below are:
Flea bites on humans are scattered whereas the marks from bedbugs are grouped and in a rough line. Sometimes fleas also bite in a cluster formation which can make it very similar to those of bed bugs. It also depends on the severity of a flea infestation. More fleas mean more bites and the more bites the more it will confuse you with those of bedbugs.
One thing I've notice when I recently had fleas are that they sometimes only inflict a single bite mark to a certain skin area. Almost like a mosquito. Now here's the thing, it is very unlikely that a bed bug will do this. BB almost always leave you with at least two if not three bites in close proximity of each other.
Consider the following to help you figure out which of the two pests could be feasting on you.
Welts from both these insects are red raised bumps that itch like crazy. The purpose of their bites are to drink our blood to survive and reproduce.
Some other biting pests sting and attack us as they think we are their enemies. They do so to protect themselves and their habitats.
Fleas and bedbugs are our enemies an not visa versa. Both are small sized insects so they can live undetected near a host. Comparing the sizes of these two insects tell us something about their bite marks.
Adult bed bugs are just shy of a quarter of a inch (5.5mm) and fleas, the ones that infest your pets and house, are 1/8-inch (3.3mm) long. Therefore flea bites on humans are slightly smaller than those of bedbugs.
It is also said that flea bites appear to be smaller on humans than your pets because they are animal specific. They prefer and will drink more blood from the latter than from us humans. It is very rare and uncommon to find bed bugs feeding on animal.