What Are Signs of Fleas in Your Bed?
Cozying up to a dog or cat in bed can be soothing, unless your furry friend has fleas. Fleas bite people as well as pets — and if your pet typically shares your bed, they may bring fleas with them.
Many pet owners sleep with their companion animals. One older small 2015 study in people with sleep disorders found that more than 50% of pet owners let their four-legged pals share their bedroom.
While fleas are typically harmless to humans, flea bites do itch. They can also make your pet very sick.
If you're wondering why you and your pet can't stop scratching, read on to learn about the signs of fleas in bed and what you can do to get rid of fleas forever.
What are some signs you may have fleas in your bed?
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 on your body, you may have a flea infestation. Multiple flea bites may appear as a straight line. In some instances, flea bites may have a red halo surrounding their center.
You may have additional side effects if you're allergic to fleas or have a strong reaction to the bites. Symptoms include:
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 or appearing to gnaw or bite its 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.
What do fleas and eggs look like?
Fleas don't live long lives, but they do go through several stages of development:
Eggs: Female fleas lay up to eight eggs after each feeding. The oval-shaped eggs are loose and can roll around. They may land on any surface, including your bed. They can remain there until they hatch, 1 to 12 days later. Flea eggs are clear to white in color and resemble dandruff flakes or salt.
Larvae: Flea eggs grow into larvae. Flea larvae look like small, translucent worms or maggots. You may be able to see black matter inside their bodies, especially under a microscope. This stage lasts for about a week.
Pupae: Flea larvae grow a cocoon to become incubating pupae. Their cocoons are sticky, so dust can get caught on them. Flea pupae look a lot like flea dirt. Pupae can remain alive and ready to hatch for up to 1 year under warm, humid conditions.
Adult fleas: Fleas are tiny, but they're not microscopic. If your home is infested, you may see them in carpets or bedding. Fleas are wingless. They range from light reddish-brown to black in color. Their bodies are tough and can be hard to squish. Fleas move very quickly and can jump as high as 13 inches. You may see them moving around on your pet's skin, but you probably won't see them nestling on top of the fur. They are easiest to see on your pet's belly.
How long do fleas live on beds and furniture?
Fleas need blood to survive. In the presence of a host, a flea can live up to 1 year. Without a host, they can survive for only 1 or 2 weeks.
If your home is warm and humid, they may live longer than they would under dry or cold conditions. That's why spring and summer are flea seasons.
Fleas like to burrow into carpeting and bedding, but they won't live there for long if they don't have a host to feed from. Fleas are more likely to live on your pet's body than on your sheets or blankets.
How can you treat beds and upholstery for fleas?
If you have fleas, daily vacuuming of all soft surfaces, including carpets and upholstered furniture, such as couches and chairs, can help remove them.
You can sprinkle flea powder onto carpets and rugs and vacuum it up later. Sprays are also available for treatment around the house.
Throw out the vacuum bag each time you vacuum. The suction action of vacuuming may kill many fleas in all stages of their lives, but it probably won't kill all of them. Fleas can continue to live and lay eggs in vacuum cleaner bags for 1 to 2 weeks.
Wash your sheets, blankets, and pet's bedding in hot water every few days. If you have curtains, you should launder them often, especially if they touch the floor.
How can you prevent fleas?
The most common way fleas get into homes is on the bodies of pets. Talk with a veterinarian about the best type of flea prevention products for your furry or feathered friend.
Some products kill existing fleas, eggs, larvae, and pupae and prevent future infestations. You can also get dual-prevention products that protect your pet from ticks and fleas. These may be especially beneficial if your pet lives in or often visits grassy or wooded areas.
When using flea prevention products, make sure you stick to a schedule. Some require monthly reapplication.
Even while using these products regularly, check your pet often for fleas. This may be easiest to do during bathing, when you can see their skin clearly.
Flea prevention products
You can choose from among many different types of flea prevention products for your pets. They include:
chewables and pills (prescription and over-the-counter)
flea collars
topical lotions or gels
shampoos
Talk with a veterinarian about what products are right for your pet. Product recommendations may vary depending on the size and age of your pet.
Long-haired animals should also be groomed often, especially during hot weather. This will make them more comfortable and make spotting fleas and flea dirt easier.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
26 minutes ago
- CBS News
Pan-Mass Challenge ends first day in Bourne with cheers, celebration
A community of champions came together this weekend to take part in the Pan-Mass Challenge to find a cure for cancer. "I'm not a doctor so I can't cure cancer, but this is my way of doing something for those who can," Brenda Williams, from Team MAPFRE Insurance, said. From Sturbridge to Provincetown and all cities and town in between, more than 6,500 riders pedaled with purpose for the two-day event. One hundred percent of every rider-raised dollar goes to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to accelerate research and treatment. This year's riders come from 12 countries and 47 states and territories. Many are riding in honor of or in memory of a loved one with cancer. More than 1,000 riders and volunteers are also cancer survivors or patients themselves. At the water stop in Lakeville, pedal partners gathered with pediatric patients being treated at the Jimmy Fund Clinic who have come to cheer on the team. Tilly, 6½, was diagnosed with cancer when she was 2 years old. She has an inoperable tumor in her spine. "Go PMC," she shouted. The family has been part of the PMC long before she was diagnosed. "We cheered the riders on 10 years ago, when Tilly had no affiliation, and now, we cheer for them riding because we are now affected by cancer as well," Tilly's mom, Clair Storck, said. Tilly's dad, Josh Danoff, is proud of his daughter. "We were able to start a fund for Tilly at Dana-Farber that does research on spinal cord tumors, so the money that is raised goes to her fund," he said. This year is Chris Kay's third PMC. He and his team at M&T Bank crossed the finish line in Bourne. "Both my parents and all of my siblings suffered from cancer, and we lost a few of them. You know, I was riding for their courage." The ride will continue on Sunday to Provincetown
CBS News
28 minutes ago
- CBS News
Doctors share tips to help with Minnesota air quality
As the air quality for Minnesota remains dangerous, experts are giving advice. "It's not a one-size-fits-all answer," said Dr. Andrew Stiehm MD, who's a pulmonologist for Allina Health. "I just reinforce stay inside. Pay attention to the air quality index." Steim adds it's okay to be outside, but it's the duration spent and intensity of your outdoor workout that you should be wary of. "It's hard when you have an event you can't avoid," he added. Open Streets is an event in Northeast Minneapolis on Saturday. A day when Minneapolis' air quality ranked as the 10th worst among the world's major cities, according to IQ Air. "I'm glad I don't live in Saskatchewan," said Minneapolis resident John Larkay who was attending Saturday's Open Streets event with his dog. Larkay said Saturday was a perfect day despite the air. "I've lived here for 25 years and this has been some of the more extreme smoke conditions." Here's how to know if conditions are getting to you. "Red, itchy, irritated eyes, watery eyes," said Stiehm. "The nose can be congested, runny. Sinus congestion, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath." Those symptoms won't happen to everyone. "Part of it starts off with your natural vulnerability," said Stiehm. "As an example, I have one child who's very allergic. For example, we tend to worry more about him going outside on days like this than some of my other children that are less allergic." "The particulate matter is a big deal for your respiratory health. It's really concerning," said Minneapolis resident Ethan Culver. When WCCO asked Stiehm what people can do other than staying inside, he said the N95 mask can work if you need to go outside and reaching out to your healthcare team if your asthma is acting up. If you're staying indoors, Stiem says air purifiers can also help and keeping your windows closed. For air quality info, WCCO's NEXT Weather forecasts can be found here.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
FDA Elevates Recall of 64,800 Lbs. of Butter to Second-Highest Warning Level
Bunge North America Inc. initially issued a voluntary recall of 64,800 lbs. of its European Style Butter Blend on July 14NEED TO KNOW Bunge North America Inc. issued a nationwide recall of 64,800 lbs. (or 1,800 cases) of its European Style Butter Blend 1 lb. product on July 14 due to undeclared milk, which was not listed on the label The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised the risk classification for the recall to Class II — the second-highest warning level — on July 30 The FDA said users who begins to experience any allergy symptoms by eating the affected product should 'stop eating the food immediately, evaluate the need to use emergency medication (such as epinephrine) and seek medical attention'A recent nationwide butter recall has been escalated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a higher risk FDA raised the risk classification for the recall of one of Bunge North America Inc.'s butter products to Class II — the second-highest warning level — on Wednesday, July 30. A Class II recall indicates 'a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote," according to the FDA's website. Bunge, which is based in Chesterfield, Mo., initially announced a voluntary recall of 64,800 lbs. (or 1,800 cases) of its European Style Butter Blend 1 lb. product on July 14 due to undeclared milk, which was not listed on the product label. The company said the butter was 'packed in white paperboard cases,' with '36 blocks to a case,' and sent to a dozen distribution centers throughout the U.S. and one distribution center in the Dominican Republic. The lot code number for the butter is 5064036503. The FDA did not say whether anyone has been affected in connection with the recall. Bunge North America Inc. did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Aug. 2. Milk is listed as one of the nine major food allergens on the FDA's website. The FDA said food-related allergic reactions can vary in severity and include mild symptoms, such as hives, face and lip swelling, vomiting, coughing or swelling. However, people may also get more severe reactions like anaphylaxis, which 'causes the immune system to release a flood of chemicals' that can cause a person to go into shock and can be fatal, per the Mayo Clinic. The FDA said that because of this, it 'enforces regulations' to require companies to list ingredients on packaged foods and beverages. The agency added that there are 'more specific labeling requirements' for foods that can 'cause allergies or other hypersensitivity reactions.' The FDA advised that if anyone who eats the affected products begins to experience any allergy symptoms, they should 'stop eating the food immediately, evaluate the need to use emergency medication (such as epinephrine) and seek medical attention.' Other major food allergens listed by the FDA include eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
