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.
There are several key differences between how and when these insects bite, though.
Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health
Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health
What Is Biting Me at Night?
Bedbugs and fleas share several similarities.
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.
The bites themselves tend to feel firm and are no bigger than 2 millimeters across.
Bedbug bites appear as raised, redwelts.
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.
Itching
Both bedbug bites and flea bites cause a similar sensationthey itch.
In some cases, excessive scratching may lead to abacterial infectionif you scratch launch the skin.
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.
You may have more luck if you do this at night with a flashlight.
Other signs of bedbugs include:
Most often, fleas come into a home on pets.
It’s also possible to have allergic reactions to either of these bites.
In some cases, those allergic reactions can be serious.
Signs include difficulty breathing, swelling in the face, rash, nausea, or vomiting.
But there are ways to tell them apart.
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.
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.
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.
