Cozying up to a dog or cat in bed tin be soothing, unless your furry friend has fleas. Fleas bite people likewise as pets — and if your pet typically shares your bed, they may bring fleas with them.

Many pet owners sleep with companion animals. Ane small 2022 study institute that more than 50 percent of pet owners let their four-legged pals share their sleeping room.

While fleas are typically harmless to humans, flea bites practice itch. They can also make your pet very sick.

If you're wondering why y'all and your pet can't stop scratching, read on to larn almost the signs of fleas in bed and what you can do to become rid of fleas forever.

Thousands of flea species be. The nearly mutual types in the United States are dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) and cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). Either kind volition bite dogs, cats, rabbits, and other furry mammals. If they have admission, they may also bite birds.

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

Fleas similar to live on a blood host. They won't accept up residence in your bed, but they volition leave testify that they've been at that place.

If your pet has fleas, the eggs may roll off their fur and onto your bed, where they'll hatch. Developed fleas tin jump long distances and may brand their style onto bedding.

Signs of fleas in your bed include:

Bites

If you observe itchy reddish dots along your shins, ankles, and feet, yous may have a flea infestation.

Multiple flea bites often appear every bit a direct line on your lower limbs. In some instances, flea bites may take a red halo surrounding their middle.

Unlike bed bugs — which typically bite people on the confront, arms, and cervix — 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 most your head, y'all may see bites in your elbow bends and on your upper body besides. Red dots on your face or chest may too be a sign of fleas.

You lot may take additional side effects if yous'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 jiff
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Flea bites appear as red itchy dots, typically along your shins, ankles, or feet. Getty Images

Residue (flea dirt)

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

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

Pet scratching

It tin 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 besides announced 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 tin can still get fleas. Fleas can travel into homes on the soles of shoes or on article of clothing. If your pet is scratching, they may have a flea infestation.

Fleas don't live long lives, simply they practise get through several stages of development:

  1. Eggs. Female fleas lay upward to eight eggs after each feeding. The oval-shaped eggs are loose and can roll effectually. They may state on whatsoever surface, including your bed. They can remain in that location until they hatch, 1 to 12 days later. Flea eggs are clear to white in color and resemble dandruff flakes or salt.
  2. Larvae. Flea eggs abound into larvae. Flea larvae expect like modest, translucent worms or maggots. Yous may be able to see black affair inside their bodies, particularly under a microscope. This stage lasts for nigh a week.
  3. Pupae. Flea larvae grow a cocoon to become incubating pupae. Their cocoons are mucilaginous, so dust can get defenseless on them. Flea pupae wait a lot like flea clay. Pupae tin can remain live and ready to hatch for up to i year under warm, humid conditions.
  4. Developed fleas. Fleas are tiny, but they're not microscopic. If your home is infested, you may run into them in carpets or bedding. Fleas are wingless. They range from light crimson-brown to black in color. Their bodies are tough and can be hard to squish. Fleas move very quickly and tin can leap as high every bit 13 inches. You may see them moving around on your pet'south skin but probably won't encounter them nestling on top of fur. They are easiest to see on your pet'due south belly.

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Adult fleas are tiny but not microscopic, the human eye can spot them. Jiri Prochazka/Shutterstock

Fleas demand blood to survive. In the presence of a host, a flea can live up to ane yr. Without a host, they tin survive for only i or 2 weeks.

If your home is warm and humid, they may live longer than they would nether dry or cold conditions. That's why jump and summer are flea seasons.

Fleas like to burrow into rug and bedding, but they won't alive there for long if they don't take a host to feed from. Fleas are more likely to alive on your pet's body than on your sheets or blankets.

If y'all have fleas, daily vacuuming of all soft surfaces can help to remove them. This includes carpets and upholstered article of furniture, such as couches and chairs.

You tin can sprinkle flea powder onto carpets and rugs and vacuum it up later. Sprays are also available for treatment effectually the firm.

Throw out the vacuum handbag each time you lot vacuum. The suction activity of vacuuming may kill many fleas in all stages of their lives, but it probably won't kill all of them. Fleas can proceed to live and lay eggs in vacuum cleaner bags for 1 to 2 weeks.

Wash your sheets and blankets and your pet's bedding every few days in hot water. If you have curtains, you should launder them ofttimes, especially if they touch the floor.

The nigh common way fleas go into homes is on the bodies of pets. Talk with a veterinary about the best blazon of flea prevention products for your hirsuite or feathered friend.

Some products kill existing fleas, eggs, larvae, and pupae, plus prevent future infestation. You tin can as well get dual-prevention products that protect your pet from ticks as well as fleas. These may be especially beneficial if live in or often visit grassy or wooded areas.

When using flea prevention products, make sure y'all stick to a schedule. Some require monthly reapplication.

Even while using these products regularly, cheque your pet often for fleas. This may be easiest to do during bathing, when y'all can come across their skin conspicuously.

Long-haired animals should likewise get groomed often, especially during hot conditions. This will make them more comfortable, plus brand spotting fleas and flea dirt easier.

Fleas bite people every bit well as pets. If you sleep with your cat or dog and they have fleas, you may exist more likely to go bitten in bed.

You tin can eliminate flea infestations by using flea prevention products on your pet. Cleaning all the soft surfaces in your home regularly volition too help.