One blazing question people often ask is: Can fleas live in your bed? Well, there are over 2,500 species of fleas and you are concerned if these pests can live in your bed? well, yes you should!
These annoying pests have plenty of opportunities to infest your pet. Fleas can cause more than just your cat or dog to scratch. They can harm you as well.
You can get a bacterial skin infection if you scratch your skin too much after a flea bite. Rarely, fleas may even cause serious illnesses to pet owners.
How Do I Describe Fleas?
Fleas are most active in summer and feed on warm-blooded animals, including humans.
Fleas are able to easily travel from one place to another as they can latch onto clothing, pets or outdoor materials like a picnic mat or tote. Fleas are usually found in bedding, carpets, and mattresses.
The fleas are usually found on the human body in areas closer to ground level since they tend to latch onto clothing when a person is outdoors.
Flea bites are small red bumps that appear on the skin of humans in a straight or curved line, unlike a mosquito or tick bite.
These bumps can appear on a person’s ankles, legs and elbows. They may also occur in other places that fall within a flea’s jumping range, which is as much as 150 times their height.
Read also:Â The Benefits and Risks of Spraying For Fleas
Can Fleas Live In Your Bed?
The pests are found in many areas of the home, including mattresses, carpeting, and cushions. Fleas are spread by pets to furniture and beds where they sleep.
The insects spread quickly from here. Finding out where immature fleas, which feed on a host and live in beds and carpets, are located is essential to stop an infestation.
Pets or humans can bring fleas into your bed, as well as infested furniture or clothing. Since they need blood to survive, it is unlikely that fleas will live on your mattress or bedding for longer than a few weeks.
Most of the time, fleas do not infest a homeowner’s bedding or bed. Most likely, fleas found in bedding and beds are there to feed on blood or to dislodge from an animal that is sleeping in the same bed with the homeowner.
If the owner does not wash or change bedding in a while, the immature fleas may take up residence.
How Do Fleas Get In Your Bed?
- Via Pets:
It is easy to bring fleas into your bed. Despite research suggesting that sleeping with your pet may reduce your sleep quality, some people find it relaxing and helps them unwind.
Keep your pet in its own bed for several days if you suspect it has fleas.
- You Bring Fleas Into Your Home:
Fleas are not only brought into our homes by our furry friends. Fleas can attach themselves to our clothing and find their way into our beds.
This annoying pest tends to stick to people’s waists. It’s very easy to find them when you walk through densely-forested areas.
- Via Wildlife:
Although it’s unlikely, it does happen. Fleas can be brought into our homes by wildlife, including racoons. possums and squirrels. They can squeeze through foundation cracks and get into attics and crawlspaces.
Read also:Â Where Do Fleas Hide?
What are the Signs of Fleas Live In Your Bed?
- Flea Dirt:
Fleas can leave behind a dirty residue. This material is usually small black particles in your sheets. This residue is actually blood and flea waste. It’s important to remove it as soon as possible.
- Flea Bites:
You’ll notice small, discoloured bumps if you have been bitten by fleas. Yellow rings may even be visible around the bumps. Fleas tend to bite in straight rows or large clusters. Rarely do you get a single flea bite?
Flea bites on dogs look like raised red dots. If your dog scratches the bites, it could cause irritation and inflammation.
Cats also have the same side effects but their bites are usually pink and crusty. The flea bites are much smaller than the tick bites which can be bumpy or swollen.
- Visible Sighting of Flea Skin:
You may also find flea skin if you see eggs in your bed. The flea larvae moult twice before they reach the pupae stage.
The skin of a flea is white, tubular and usually feels soft. Flea skin can be very small and hard to see. A magnifying glass may be needed to see clearly.
- Visible Sighting of Flea Egg:
Fleas are not known to stay in bed for very long but can lay their eggs there. Flea eggs are oval-shaped white spots.
You might mistakenly think they are sand or dry skin if you find them on your pet. You should thoroughly inspect their fur because you could have an infestation soon.
- Visible Sighting of Flea Adults:
Fleas won’t stay in your bed very long. However, you may find them for a short time. Fleas are longer and narrower than bedbugs.
How To Get Rid of Fleas In Your Bed?
- Regularize Washing:
Wash your pillowcases and sheets in hot water if you find fleas. Repeat this process every few days in order to make sure that no eggs have hatched.
We recommend that you wash your long curtains as well. Fleas may enter the fabric through the floor to lay their eggs.
- Use Flea Powder:
Flea powder can be helpful, particularly if fleas are on your carpet. There are many types of flea treatments available, but it is important to find one that will kill both adult and larval fleas.
Sprinkle the powder on the affected area. Some flea powders are effective within a few hours while others may take several days. Many flea powders are harmful, so keep pets and children away while the area is being treated.
- Vacuuming:
Vacuuming is one of the best methods to get rid of fleas in your bed. The best vacuums are handheld, but a standing vac that has an upholstery attachment will also work.
The vacuum’s force kills adult fleas and suctions up their eggs. Vacuuming also removes the dirt and residue that fleas have left behind.
- Contact Us:
Bring in a professional if all else fails. The exterminator can do the dirty work for you and treat your whole home. It’s more expensive than other options, but often worth it.
Read also:Â How to Get Rid of Fleas on Mattress
Tip-Off: How Long Can Fleas Live In Your Bed Without Hosts?
Fleas can live for up to 3 months in average conditions. Fleas, however, can only survive for one to two weeks if they don’t have a host in your mattress or bedding.
Fleas can bite humans for food, but pets and wild animals tend to be the preferred hosts. It’s best to keep your dog away from your bed when they have a flea problem.
Can fleas live in your bed? well, now you know. Thanks for reading!
About The Author
Discover more from Pestclue
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.