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Do I have Fleas in My Bed?

Close up of a blanket at the foot of a bed

Fleas are tiny little insects found in dark and humid places. They are so tiny that they will fit inside an inch if you line up eight fleas. They are hard to see, making it harder to detect them in your house, including your bed. Infestation of fleas can cause severe inflammation of the skin that can lead to allergies. Keep reading to find out whether you have fleas in your bed or not.

Do you know how to tell the difference between fleas and bed bugs? Check out our post “How to tell fleas vs bed bugs” to learn more.

How to Tell If You Have Fleas in Your Bed?

Fleas need a warm atmosphere, and your bed is great. Adult fleas will lay eggs within the mattress material, producing feces to feed the larvae. Fleas in beds can be discovered hidden between sheets and pillowcases and on the mattress.

If your pet is infected with fleas, sleep in your bed. Unfortunately, they can also infect your bed with fleas. Fleas lay eggs in your pets’ fur. These eggs can fall on your bed or other places where your pet sits and sleeps. Flea dirt is one the major signs that fleas are present in your bedding. These blacks specks (flea discharge) turn dark-reddish brown if you sprinkle some water on it.

Another sign that you have fleas in your bed can be flea bites. Flea bites frequently appear as clusters of tiny, irritating bites in dense locations. The bites are most commonly seen around your ankles, although they can appear anywhere on your body.

If you wake up with fresh clusters of bites, you might have fleas in your bed. Bed bugs are an even more worrying risk. A bed bug bite might resemble a mosquito bite. However, these normally occur in a straight line rather than a cluster.

Where Do Fleas Hide in Your Bed?

Gloved hand pulling up slats in a bed frame

Fleas like to hide in crevices. Fleas usually like to hide in dark and humid places where no one usually checks so they can grow and lay eggs. Their populations are more abundant in spaces where they may eat and breed without being disturbed (such as pet beds and living rooms) (like lower-traffic areas or carpeting). They also live in upholstery, furniture, and other typical home items, particularly where they can keep warm.

Can You See Fleas If They Are in Your Bed?

Bed with white linen

Since fleas are very tiny insects and it is very difficult to detect them in your bed, they are not microscopic. If you observe closely, you can see that fleas leave behind flea dirt which can help you easily detect their presence in your bed.

Can Fleas Live in Your Bed?  

These pests infest a variety of surfaces in houses, including mattresses, cushions, and carpeting. Pets transfer fleas to the beds and furnishings they sleep.

The insects immediately spread throughout the home from here. Because immature fleas reside and feed on hosts in beds and rugs, determining where the bugs reside is critical to preventing an infestation.

How Can You Get Rid of Fleas in Your Bed?

Laundry room with a blue wall, cube shelves and a front loading washing machine with the door open.

It is extremely simple to get rid of fleas in mattresses. All sheets, duvets and covers, pillows, and blankets must be stripped and washed in a hot wash cycle. After that, a hot tumble dry is applied. Fleas can’t stand the heat.

Vacuum the mattress’s whole surface numerous times. Then flip the mattress over and repeat the process. Spray the mattress with an approved flea home spray and, after drying, put on a mattress cover and close it up.

Thoroughly vacuum the bedrooms. Use the tools to reach the skirting board edges and into any cracks and crevices. Ensure the vacuum bags are properly disposed of so that no fleas escape. Vacuuming regularly will eliminate any nesting fleas and flea eggs by disrupting the life cycle.

Using flea powder and vacuuming may also assist in getting rid of the fleas. Check to see whether the powder contains any harmful chemicals. Alternatively, you may manufacture your own by crushing herbs like rosemary, peppermint, and fennel into a fine powder. Shake an empty salt container over the entire area.

Infestations ranging from moderate to severe may necessitate using a residual pesticide on carpets, skirting boards, and other surfaces where fleas may be present.

What Causes Fleas in Bed?

Dog laying on its back on a bed with his paws in the air, smiling

Pets transfer fleas to the beds and furnishings they sleep. The insects immediately spread throughout the home from here. Because immature fleas reside and feed on hosts in beds and rugs, determining where the bugs reside is critical to preventing an infestation.

Do Fleas Come Out at Night?

Man laying on his side sleeping in bed at night

Fleas and bedbugs are classified as nocturnal, which means they are more active at night. This makes them more difficult to detect, especially if you don’t have any itchy, red bites. However, fleas are most active at dusk and least active at dawn. Movement, egg production, and respiration all increase at nightfall. Fleas are never entirely dormant. They lay eggs and dung at all hours of the day.

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