Flea Bites

While flea bites on people can cause distress, bites on humans are somewhat rare and it's your pets that often suffer much more. The first sign that you may have a flea infestation is that you might notice your dog or cat are constantly scratching or biting frantically at their fur.

A flea bite is not particularly painful, but you will often be aware as soon as you have been bitten. You may develop some itchiness around the bite though, which could become uncomfortable, depending on your sensitivity.

How to identify flea bites

What do flea bites look like? Given their small size, flea bites often appear as tiny red spots on the skin. 

As with other insect bites, it is often difficult to identify fleas just by looking at your bites.

You should consider other factors, which may help to identify your flea problem.

• How to find bites? - Look for tiny dark spots, surrounded by a reddened area with much less swelling around the bite than with other insect bites.

• Where do bites occur? - Common areas to receive flea bites are on feet or lower legs. Cat or dog fleas will jump from pets, carpets, bedding or furnishings to feed.

• Immediate awareness - A flea bite is usually felt immediately, with a single flea often biting two or three times in the same area.

• No initial pain - The actual bite does not really hurt. It is the itchiness that results from the body’s reaction that causes the discomfort.

• Who is at risk? - Infants are at a higher risk from being bitten by fleas, particularly when playing on the floor, especially carpeted areas and or on rugs. Children also tend to be more sensitive than adults to being bitten.

   

You should consult a medical professional for advice and treatment if you develop an itchy rash or eczema. These are common symptoms of an allergic reaction to flea bites.

We also advise you to consult your vet if there are any signs of irritation such as reddening of the skin or there are any thin patches in your pet’s coat.

Are you worried about bites?

Call Ehrlich free at 1-800-837-5520 if you are worried about fleas in your home or business.

Using professional products, our expert exterminators can help to quickly get rid of fleas, while ensuring the safety of your family and pets.

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