I Think I Have Fleas

Anyone who has ever had fleas will tell you: there is no denying the fact that these tiny little insects are a pain to deal with. It doesn’t matter if your pets have fleas, or if you have fleas in your house, dealing with fleas is never fun. The worst part about having fleas is the fact that getting rid of them can be a long and painful process. I understand that most people don’t want to put their hands in places where they know their flea problem lies; it’s gross, it’s icky, and it can sometimes make you feel like you’re going to throw up. But at the end of the day, there’s just no avoiding it — no matter how bad you may dread having to do it — if you really want to get rid of these creatures once and for all, then you’re going to have to take the time and make the effort required to tackle this problem head on. And this means knowing where your flea problem is worse so that you can focus your efforts in those areas and get rid of them completely before moving on to anywhere else in your home where you may find fleas as well.

I Think I Have Fleas

Thousands of flea species exist. The most common types in the United States are dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) and cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). Either kind will bite dogs, cats, rabbits, and other furry mammals. If they have access, they may also bite birds.

Fleas bite people, too, though they won’t stay on you for long. Fleas prefer to nestle in fur or feathers, rather than skin or hair.

Fleas like to live on a blood host. They won’t take up residence in your bed, but they will leave evidence that they’ve been there.

If your pet has fleas, the eggs may roll off their fur and onto your bed, where they’ll hatch. Adult fleas can jump long distances and may make their way onto bedding.

Signs of fleas in your bed include:

Bites

If you notice itchy red dots along your shins, ankles, and feet, you may have a flea infestation.

Multiple flea bites often appear as a straight line on your lower limbs. In some instances, flea bites may have a red halo surrounding their center.

Unlike bed bugs — which typically bite people on the face, arms, and neck — fleas tend to nibble on your lower body parts. They may bite behind your knees, where skin is warm and moist.

If your pet likes to sleep near your head, you may see bites in your elbow bends and on your upper body as well. Red dots on your face or chest may also be a sign of fleas.

You may have additional side effects if you’re allergic to fleas or have a strong reaction to the bites. Symptoms include:

• hives
• swelling
• rash
• intense, extreme itching
• signs of anaphylaxis, including shortness of breath

Residue (flea dirt)

All insects poop, including fleas. Flea dirt, or residue, looks like tiny black dots. If your pet has fleas and sleeps with you, you’ll likely see or feel flea dirt on your sheets.

Flea dirt is primarily made up of the host’s blood. Fleas with a host nearby consume much more blood than they need to survive daily. Fleas often excrete while biting and may release 10 or more drops of flea dirt while they feed.

Pet scratching

It can be hard to see flea bites on your pet, so you may want to pay attention to whether your pet is scratching. Your pet may also appear to gnaw or bite their own skin.

Fleas can infest an animal’s entire body. This causes widespread itching and discomfort. If left untreated, your pet may develop skin infections or a rash from constantly breaking their skin while scratching.

Even if your pet is housebound and never goes outside, they can still get fleas. Fleas can travel into homes on the soles of shoes or on clothing. If your pet is scratching, they may have a flea infestation.

I Think I Have Fleas

Your pet is the best, but sometimes they get a bit too excited when they see the postman or another dog. That’s when you might notice little red dots on your carpet or furniture and wonder, “do I have fleas?”

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