Flea Bites Pictures

Mosquito bites vs Flea bites

May 26, 2019 By admin

People are different and will react in several ways to bites though there is always a central or general reaction of an itchy sensations followed by an angry red bump. Some are allergic to mosquito bites, others itch just a little and it goes away on its own without any treatment after a few days.

Welts may develop and it can be in different sizes like a big mosquito bite and the surrounding skin will redden and swell up, sometimes it feels sore to the touch. Blisters and sore which arise due to excessive scratching or allergies can be intensely painful and hideous to look at. Rare conditions caused by a mosquito bite, are known as Skeeter syndrome and HMB (hypersensitivity to mosquito bites)

Skeeter syndrome causes your body to react to a mosquito bites as if it were a harmful infection. The bitten area is often warm, red and swollen. If you are severely allergic the area may develop blisters alongside internal symptoms seen through nausea and high fever.

Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites causes the patient to react intensely to a bite, following this, an acute and fast swelling occurs. The blisters which will form inevitably are filled with liquid and if handled poorly are likely to erupt. The patient may experience other symptoms like high fever and kidney failure.

Another serious condition that a person can have as result of a mosquito bite is Anaphylaxis. It is probably the worst of the three. Anaphylaxis can cause mistake the bite as an allergy and react as such, you may go into shock even without the visibility of the bite. It requires immediate medical assistance as you may not be able to breathe properly.

What to do when bitten

First thing to note is that, mosquitoes do not have venom like scorpion or some species of spiders so you can rule that out. If the bite begins to increase in size, place an ice pack over it to reduce the swelling. Then wash the area with a disinfectant soap and water because the problems associated with mosquito bites is caused by the saliva. Keeping the spot clean should get rid of all traces of mosquito fluid.

Buy recommended antihistamines from a pharmacy to soothe the itch and reduce swelling. Some topical products (tablets or gels) can be used to treat it. If the bites are sore and relentlessly painful, you can buy some prescribed pain killers to numb it and if your child was also bitten, be sure that the product you treat him/her with are safe for kids.

Mosquito bites rarely require medical attention, but if the spot isn’t getting any better and if you suspect you are going into anaphylactic shock then you direly need a hospital. Mosquitoes are capable of spreading some diseases such as malaria. If your region or State is riddled with disease spreading mosquitoes, then you have to stay alert. Watch yourself and family for any unusual symptoms. You could experience upset stomach, joint pain or a high fever, these are in line with a disease probably transmitted through mosquito bites.

Flea bites appearance

Flea bites usually look like a line-up of tiny reddish lumps. Like mosquitoes, these insect’s bites are extremely itchy and uncomfortable. Each swollen bump is circular and surrounded by a red halo (ring) While mosquitoes only bite and fly off, fleas prefer to stay stuck on their preferred host for their entire life time, which explains why they bite frequently. If you are allergic or highly sensitive to fleas and flea saliva, you may exhibit more symptoms than normal or feel the usual symptoms more. Some patients have bite marks that are like tiny wounds.

If an area is infested with fleas, you will continue to suffer from flea bites and that only makes matters worse. The wounds will begin to develop blisters and angry red rashes.

Flea bites can cause an inflammatory response in the body especially in children. This condition is better known as Papular urticaria and it is chronic. The child or patient may burst into hives practically anywhere on the body, it will ooze out pus like fluid and itch relentlessly. In severe cases, the disease may lead to throat swelling, effectively cutting of supply of air.

Flea bite treatment

Flea bites are notorious for festering if left untreated so when you notice a bite treat immediately. For one, you will reduce your urge to scratch the spot. You see, flea bite is open, after all the insect has to pierce your skin. This is why it is imperative that you treat and try your best not to scratch in order not to open it further.

First, wash the area with water and an antiseptic soap, if it has blistered already, wash carefully to avoid bursting.

After this, place an ice pack on it to reduce swelling and soothe itching. Then buy an antihistamine lotion or cream and apply on the wound. Calamine lotion is known to soothe itches best. If you suspect that it is infected (exuding pus and not responding to treatment) see your doctor. Be sure to check if an internal parasite like tapeworm was transmitted in the course of flea infestation.

In the end, it is best to prevent flea infestation than eradicate. If you think or suspect there might be an infestation, disinfect the house with an insect repellent and administer preventatives to your pets once every month. Read More…

Difference Between Fleas and Bed Bugs

May 12, 2019 By admin

Exterminating bugs once they have invaded a home is a difficult task, the reason being that, they reproduce at a very fast rate and feeding is easy because they depend on human and animal blood to survive for as long as they need.

They get into houses by attaching their tiny sizes to luggage, old furniture, pets roaming outside, clothing and mattresses.

Fleas and bed bugs are very similar in appearance and behavior with few features to tell them apart. These similarities make it next to impossible for people to identify them and exterminate. In order to effectively control and get rid of these parasites, you can identify the following features with the naked eye.

Features that Differentiate Fleas from Bed Bugs

MOVEMENT

FLEAS: Fleas move by jumping over long distances with their strong legs.

BED BUGS: They are incredibly slow and cannot fly or jump either. They move about with just a crawl.

HOSTS

FLEAS: These insects prefer to attach and feed on dogs or cats and will only feed on human when the animals are not available.

BED BUGS: they feed on human blood mostly and also will only deviate when no human is around.

APPEARANCE

FLEAS: They have narrow and long bodies that look flattened from the top; they also appear to be reddish brown in color.

BED BUGS: they are large, reddish brown, flat and oval-shaped.

TREATMENT

When looking at fleas and bed bugs these parasites practically live on their hosts and one of the ways to get rid of them is by cleaning wherever you suspect an infestation, it could be the pets, hair or mattresses. It might not remove them entirely, but it will reduce them considerably especially when insecticides are used.

Note that you cannot depend on the bite marks they leave on their hosts to pinpoint which insect it is because every person and animal reacts differently to the bite, they will not look alike.

Spider bites vs Flea bites

March 3, 2019 By admin

What a Spider Looks like

When you have a bite, it is important to know the difference in spider bites vs flea bites. In the United States, spider bites are harmless but for the sake of information, you need to know types of spiders, what the bites look like and how to administer treatment. Despite the popular phobia for spiders, it is completely unnecessary to be scared of them. There are just two species of spiders that are actually harmful, however even these rare two hardly injure humans or bite.

Yes, some spiders are big, black and huge and may nip at you but they are potentially harmless. People are known to freak out at the sight of a spider and more at the bite as confirmed by Pharmacist Weber who is the director of a poison center at Missouri. She says that 70% of the time, it is not even a spider bite and 90% of the bumps are as a result of other bugs.

Nonetheless, if you do get bitten, try to catch the spider carefully to avoid being bitten again. This is so you can hand it over to an expert for identification, to push the treatment process along.

Symptoms of Spider bites

If you are thinking you have spider bites vs flea bites the identification of what type of spider is important. There are several species of spider that have been discovered but the symptoms of their bites are almost the same. The affected area swells up to small reddish bumps which are itchy and painful at times. This is the worst it can get for many people. However, spider bites cause an allergic reaction in some people. If your face starts to swell up or itch much more over a larger surface area or you have difficulty breathing then you may be allergic.

Venomous spiders like Brown recluse and Black spider cause more painful symptoms such as muscle cramps.

How to treat a spider bite

Most spiders are harmless and same can be said for the bites. The appropriate first aid to apply is to clean the spot with water and soap then gently rub in an antibiotic ointment. Note the date you got bitten and keep a close eye on it to make sure a secondary infection does not develop and how well it is healing. This was recommended by the director of a poison center, Pharmacist Weber.

Although you may not need medical treatment for a non-venomous bite but if it worries you, then call your poison control center. This is the hotline for help with poisonous bugs 1-800-222-1222 or send POISON to 797979 to save on your mobile.

In order to treat a spider fast, keep in mind this acronym ‘RICE’ It stands for R- rest, I- ice, C- compression, E- Elevation.

The first two should reduce the swelling and make itching bearable with ice packs. If the spot begins to exude pus or is extremely warm to the touch then quickly seek medical attention because it may be infected. According to the Pharmacist, you have time to treat a bite even up to a whole day before the venom becomes harmful so no need to panic.

Types of Spider and their bites

Jumping Spider bite

This is a non-venomous spider, it is commonly found in North American homes, they are harmless but the bites may itch and nothing else. They have well developed vision and a little attitude. If they spot something to bite, chances are, they will. The bite symptoms dissipate after two hours.

Wolf Spider bite

This spider looks like jumping spiders. They are commonly found all over the United States. Like jumping spiders, they are harmless. A bite from this spider may result in a tiny, painful, itchy, red bump.

Wolf spiders have fangs which they use to penetrate the skin, the bite hurts because of that. You may or may not need to go to a doctor to treat this. Always seek out medical advice when in question. Oral antihistamine and or Benadryl are typically used to soothe the itch.

Brown Recluse Spider bite

One of the two most dangerous spiders in the U.S, It is found in the Midwest and a little more in southern states, such as Kansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Georgia, Texas, Alabama and Oklahoma.

In North America, 90% of brown recluse bites only get inflamed and 10% of these bites take a little longer to heal. If you were bitten by a Recluse Spider, then the spot should have a sunken central area. The small blister should sink downwards instead in the middle quite unlike a normal puffed up bump. This results when the venom from a Recluse destroys the surrounding capillaries in the bite area.

A brown spider bite will have a bluish center surrounded by rings of red and white. In severe cases, people experience nausea, rashes, vomiting, chills, stiff joints and fever after 24-72 hours after the bite.

To relieve the pain, put ice on the bite and go to an ER. A doctor will prescribe antibiotics for you. A cause for concern is your urine turning cola or orange colored, the poison is breaking your red blood cells down, see a doctor immediately.

Black Widow Spider bite

Black widow is another poisonous bug. It is characterized by red hourglass marks and a black body. They are commonly found in western and southern states.

A black widow is harmful, but for some they experience symptoms of the flu so they don’t treat it. Others experience extreme pain akin to a heart attack or appendicitis. They pain from the bite area radiates up your limb and results in severe muscle cramping. A patient may be soaked in sweat hours after the bite especially around the shin or limb.

Like in Recluse, apply a cool compress and consult a doctor immediately. He or she will prescribe an anti-venom specific to a Widow bite.

Hobo Spider bite

These are commonly found in the Pacific Northwest. They are known as ‘aggressive home spiders’ but it has to really scared or disturbed to bite humans.

Despite their relative harmlessness, Hobo spiders are sometimes mistakenly taken as dangerous to humans and pets.

Its bites are dry which means that they have no venom. If there was venom, the bites will have bumps but there isn’t.

Camel Spider bite

Camel spiders or wind scorpions do not secrete venom but as a defense mechanism it can injure you with its jaw trapped on your skin. The wound should look like a tiny incision. The type found in western U.S is harmless.

The name might be misleading because it is not really a spider, it cannot spin webs or secrete venom but are classified under arachnids -same as spiders, ticks and mites – by United States soldiers stationed in the Middle East.

If you have flea bites vs a spider bites the bites are typically in a cluster and not a singular bite which can help also with identification.

Scabies vs Flea bites

March 3, 2019 By admin

Some wonder what the difference is between Scabies vs Flea Bites. Fleas cause flea bites and mites cause scabies. There are differences in appearance and symptoms albeit for some reason they are mistaken for one another. Flea bites are swollen bumps surrounded by a reddish halo caused by the feeding behavior of the parasitic insect. However, scabies is brought on by a human, canine or feline scabies mite, this skin condition is highly contagious. If you want to know how to tell the two apart, keep reading.

Scabies vs Fleas

Scabies infections brought on by mites of the species Genus Sarcoptes. These parasitic bugs can only reproduce properly while feeding on human blood and while feeding they also lay eggs. Their lifespan ranges from two to four weeks, but they will continue to be a cause of discomfort if the area or animal is not given treatment. Pet mites may affect humans however human mites never jump on animals.

Symptoms of Scabies

Blisters on the bite area, usually in the shape of a tiny pimple or red rashes.
The bite is extremely itchy and if you scratch, the blister will open up and if left untreated, secondary infections will develop caused by the activities of harmful bacteria.
The itching gets worse at night.
The symptoms may not be obvious until after a few weeks.
The common sign of a mite bite is the burrow-like path they carve out while laying eggs and feeding.
Angry reddish rashes and extreme itching.
The symptoms are worse for the elderly and children.

From these, you can tell that flea bites which never forms blisters except when infected are easily different from scabies, especially since flea bites are not contagious. This should help you differentiate from scabies vs flea bites.

Lice and fleas bites

March 3, 2019 By admin

Basic Features of a louse or commonly known as lice

They are ectoparasitic insects that thrive in human hair, they are usually found on the scalp.
They cannot fly, lice gets around with its six legs instead.
Lice grow to 1/8 inch while nymphs that are grey grow to 1/16 inch, same size as a sesame seed. It is tan colored.
Their legs are adapted with claws to grasp hair on human scalp. The head is flattened which makes it almost impossible for one to feel it on the hair and its mouth part equipped with a proboscis allows it to pierce and suck human blood.
Lice eggs are found to be yellow, brown, translucent or white. They measure 1/16 inch.
Louse is not an animal parasite.

How an infestation begins on human Hair

Lice species found on human hair cannot fly so it attaches to a host through physical contact with the family members or from an infested child at a playground to another. Sharing hairbrush with a lice infested person can cause the parasite to attach to a new host. Contrary to popular opinion, lice is not attracted to just dirty hair, it can happen to anyone. However, keeping good hair hygiene will remove them.

Can lice transmit diseases?

Head lice are uncomfortable and irritating but they cannot spread or transmit diseases from one person to another. The bites are itchy and if scratched can result to the formation of open sores. These sores, if left untreated can develop other infections caused by the activities of a harmful bacteria festering on it.

Symptoms and signs of an infestation

A juvenile or adult louse infestation is noticed when the patient begins to scratch uncontrollably and frequently. You may notice sores and wounds on the head.

How to remove head lice

There are steps you can take in order to be sure that fleas never come around your family or spread. Special lice combs that are purchased over the counter or on prescription are used to remove the parasites. You should machine wash every clothing and bedding under hot water with a mixture of lemon. Then after washing, transfer immediately to a better dryer. Then, contact your local pest control expert to tell you the best methods to apply and how to manage the situation. If the bites develop complications after treatment, contact your doctor.

Fleas

Fleas are also ectoparasites, but unlike head lice, they are not picky eaters which make them very dangerous to you and your beloved pet. It is essential that you learn everything there is to know about the tiny blood sucking insects in order to effectively fight and control fleas.

The two parasites can live on you and cause discomfort to everyone in your family. They both bite and each bite is itch and irritating. Outside these, they have little else in common. Fleas can jump long distance, at least seven inches into the air, while lice can barely cross a room. They are painfully slow. Fleas are therefore more difficult to remove from the home than lice, in fact the entire process is frustrating especially when you decide not to engage the services of a pest expert. This is why administering preventatives such as Vectra 3D is crucial.

Can pets spread lice and fleas?

Fleas are not picky although most species would rather feed on cats and dogs, they will jump on any mammal available to survive. This is why, if your pet is infested with fleas, you may notice similar bite marks on your skin. However, head lice are very restrictive, host wise. Louse will not move from pet to children or from children to pets.

Pets and lice infestations

It is a fact that head lice on humans are not as a result of bad hygiene, but same is not applicable to animals like dogs and cats. They get infested with lice as a result of poor or non-existent hygiene. Puppies and kittens are more susceptible to lice, particular kittens as is noticed in kitty mills.

There are two species of lice that generally attack dogs, they are sucking lice and biting lice. Another variety of these biting lice infests cats too. Dogs and cats that are affected will constantly scratch due to the itches caused by lice bites.

On the bright side, louse is easy to get rid of and treat on a pet. All you have to do is find out from your veterinarian the best product you can apply. Most will recommend shampoos and insecticide powders like pyrethrin. Never administer human treatments for lice on your pet, it will not be effective. You can treat further with frontline if your vet recommends it.

All these are topical treatments, next apply preventatives to remove lice eggs and prevent them from coming back. Clean everything you suspect your pet has come in contact with then machine-wash its bedding. Remember to sterilize any grooming equipment you use on your cat.

Your pet and Fleas

If your pet never goes outside, you may drastically reduce the chances of the pet getting infested. However, fleas can be indoors too especially if the house is overrun with rodents that are infested. Getting rid of fleas is a problem, you can treat with spot on medications, oral medications and pet specific shampoos. Then vacuum your house thoroughly at least five times a week and apply an insecticide. If it has spread, then you may need the services of a pest control expert or a good flea repellent.

Prevention

None of the pets deserve to be infested with any of these parasites, even if lice is easy to remove they can make animals very miserable. The only thing you can do is to administer preventatives such as advantix, K9 advantix, Advantage II or frontline plus once each month.

Pictures of Fleas on pets

March 3, 2019 By admin

Identification of fleas on pets always helps especially when there are pictures of fleas on pets. Fleas are parasitic insects that will live on your pet to survive. Living consists of sucking on the animals’ blood and laying eggs. Although they prefer to feed on Dogs and cats, fleas being non-picky eaters will jump on any mammal present including your family members. Flea infestation is something that is difficult to avoid when you have pets so, research the best ways to control them.

In order to control them, you need to consult professionals who will treat your home and pets without the additional stress. Ehrlich, pest experts, will treat your business, home and pets. They will ensure that every stage is gone from your place and you can rest easy knowing that there’s no threat of a flea attack.

Symptoms of fleas on pets

Cat fleas are the most common species found on pets. The female cat flea will keep feeding until it grows to more than fifteen times of its body weight then it will lay just as many eggs. This means that without access to a good blood meal, it cannot reproduce adequately.

Ever wondered how fleas on pets actually happen? Non-domesticated animals carry the parasites also, this is an important point to remember. Now, if you do not have a pet but infested raccoons, Possums, Skunks and Rodents find their way into your house or surrounding, chances are that your house will be infested soon.

Cat fleas are not only found on carpets or low areas, search in your crawl spaces and that abandoned, dusty attic. The infestation may begin from there. It is vital to keep watch over your pets, to look out for signs that those little buggers are not sucking their lives away. The adult fleas leave excrete and caked blood on your pet which the larvae feed on eventually. Search the pet bedding for spots and fecal matter. It should look like ground black pepper.

Inspect the pet’s skin thoroughly to find adult fleas as well as the scabs left through their bites. If your pet is infested, it will scratch consistently because the bites are usually itchy.

Flea eggs on cats and dogs

When the female flea has fed enough it will lay at least fifty eggs each day. The eggs are not sticky so they should fall off into the carpet, rugs or pet bedding. The eggs are whitish and tiny almost the same size as a grain of sand. Within a few weeks under favorable conditions, the egg develops into larvae, pupae then adult.

Ways to protect your pets from fleas

At this point, you probably feel like it is next to impossible to remove fleas from your pets but you shouldn’t. While the task is not all that easy, it can be done. These are ways you can protect your pets from fleas.

Groom your pet thoroughly with a flea comb at least once a week. Give it a bath with a dash of Aloe Vera gel.
Machine-wash your pet bedding with a cup of lemon juice mixed with detergent.
If the carpet appears to be extremely infested, steam clean until you are sure they are gone.
Vacuum your house at least four times a week and dispose of the dirt bag properly.
Prevent wild animals from getting close to the house by storing a large pile of wood above ground; this should cover those areas where rats, skunks and other tiny non-domesticated animals may find shelter.

Treatment

Restrict the number of times your pets go outdoors so they do not get infested by other animals. Treating your pet without eliminating fleas from the house itself is a total waste of time. If you have confirmed that your pet exhibits sign typical to an infested animal, take him or her to the vet and treat.

Then, call a professional to examine your home to determine the appropriate way to handle the infestation before bringing your pet back home.

Flea bites vs Chigger Bites

March 3, 2019 By admin

FMosquito bites, spider, bedbug and lots of other insects bite and leave bite marks on their victim. The issue is, you may not know which particular arachnid that attacked you.

Among these insects, fleas and chigger bite marks are similar although there are a few patterns you can use to differentiate them easily.

Facts about Chiggers

This parasitic insect is also known as berry bug. They appear like minute reddish larva classified under the arachnid family. Chiggers grow to 1/60 inch and are therefore difficult to spot with naked eyes. To spot these insects, you may need to get a magnifying lens.

Chiggers are common seen in berry patches as the name implies or sometimes around grassy areas. To prevent an attack, stay away from such areas. Chiggers survive by attaching to a host for a maximum of four days, sucking on blood. Their bloodsucking habit is not noticed by the host because Chiggers secrete a numbing agent in their saliva, signs of the attack only start to show after they fall off. The bite area will swell up and develop blisters that itch irritably.

How to identify Chigger Bites

The wound caused by a chigger bite is known as coloradillo wound. Berry bugs are extremely tiny, notwithstanding, their bites are powerful and itch as well.

The bites appear like blisters, welts, hives or tiny pimples. The bites are found in multiple areas on the body because they stay latched on for at least four days.

Berry bugs usually target the crotch, ankles, waist, behind the knees and armpits. This means that the bug prefers folds of skin compared to exposed areas.

This is the summary of what chigger bites look like;

The bites appear randomly in one spot, if the bites appear in random clusters, they are probably berry bug bites.
They look like welts, hives, blisters or pimples
The bites appear as multiple clusters.
The bites are widespread and close together.

Facts about fleas and flea bites

Fleas are also parasitic insects that are brown or red in color. They are a little bigger than Chigger and like fleas, they secrete a numbing agent that prevents you from feeling the bite while they feed.

A female flea needs a fresh blood meal to reproduce. They feed until they appear 15 times more than their body size then lay at least fifty eggs each day.

The major difference between these bugs feeding habit is, fleas feed on blood in their adult stage while chigger feeds on blood only on their larval stage. Fleas can hitch rides on animal hosts or human into your home beginning an infestation.

How to point out fleas

Fleas get on animal host by jumping on their well adapted strong hind legs. Fleas can jump seven inches into the air which is more than their height.

Fleas get dislodged from the host’s bodies and fall off into the carpet; from here they attack your feet and ankles. They cannot fly so they cannot climb high on your body. They are likely to be hidden in your socks because they prefer shady areas.

Key points to note

Flea bite mark appears on ankles and feet.
The bite spot is surrounded by a red halo.
The bite appears in straight line clusters of four or five groups.

Difference between Chigger and flea bites

Although these insect bites appear similar, there are some striking differences you can note easily so as to note which insect is attacking your pet or your family.

Flea bites are surrounded by reddish halos and are like smallish welts similar to mosquito bites though they itch more.

Meanwhile, Chigger bites are like a bunch of small pimples and are in large uneven groups, developing blisters with or without scratching.

How to make the itching bearable

Fleas and Chigger bites can be treated with any of the following creams and lotions;

Aloe Vera
Hydrocortisone
Calamine lotion
Anti-itch creams
Hot shower or bath
Antihistamine lotion

The timeline for the bites to heal completely varies from person to person, however it may take some to time to heal. You cannot scratch the itch no matter how bad it is. If you succumb and do this, the wound may open up and it will develop a bacterial infection especially if left untreated. The bites should considerably improve after a few days, but if you notice no change or improvement then you have to see a doctor.

If you allow a chigger bite to continue festering, it will get worse, your immune system will not make it better as with mosquito bites. You just have to treat.

These are some products you can apply on the bite mark;

ChiggAway: this lotion treats chigger bites and repels the insect.

ChiggerX: this ointment acts as an anti-inch agent. It greatly reduces your urge to scratch.

Prevention of Chigger Bites

The most suitable way to treat these bites is by avoiding them completely. These are some things you can do to ensure that chiggers are not found around you.

Stay on the trail when you are hiking, as we know, Berry bugs hide in grasses.
Put on long pants, after all, if the bugs can’t reach your skin they will not bite.
Machine-wash your clothes when you come home to prevent Berry bugs from spreading in your home or continuously biting you.
Buy a vet recommended insect repellant which should be highly effective in removing chiggers such as; Deep woods and ChiggAway.
If you notice chiggers on any part of your body, don’t hesitate to take a hot shower and wash your clothes.

If you require more information on flea bites then visit our website.

Difference between Bedbugs and flea bites

March 3, 2019 By admin

sFlea bites usually look like tiny clusters of swollen red bumps same as a mosquito bite mark. It feels hard and warm to the touch and has a red ring surrounding the area. Bed bugs tend to bite anywhere in the human body mostly in a linear manner while fleas bite randomly.

Both are similar in one aspect, their bites lead to intense itching. Fleas are parasitic insects found mostly on animals rather than humans. If the animal is treated or given preventatives, then you and your family can fear less about getting fleas. However, the treatment does not end with cat and dogs; you have to eliminate fleas from the home also.

On the other hand, bedbugs like their name suggests infests mattresses and bed. They prefer begs because the humans who lay there tend to leave behind dead skin cells that falls off while asleep. It may jump on pets if the chosen human host is not available so your pet is at risk also.

The only way to completely get rid bed bugs and continuously evade them is by keeping your sleeping area squeaky clean.

If you are bitten, try to resist the persistent urge to scratch because this can open up the wound an create a gateway for a bacterial infection. One striking difference in the habitats of these two parasitic insects is that bed bugs thrive in cool areas while fleas prefer the furry nature of animals which is why they infest animals rather than humans.

How to differentiate between a bed bug bite and flea bite

Bed bugs bites appear in a straight linear row while flea bites are many in a spot and in clusters of red swollen bumps.
Bed bugs bite anywhere on the body while fleas target lower legs or ankles.
Beg bug bites are in darker and rough to the touch.

Symptoms of the bites

Bedbugs bites are itchy, so if you start scratching bumps all over, you should check it out. They are likely to develop into blisters and hives.

Flea bites leave you itching persistently on the legs.

How to treat bug bites

The most important thing with flea bite is that you never scratch that itch. First you wash the bite area with an antiseptic soap and clean water to remove every fluid left behind by the insect. Then apply antihistamines to soothe the itch and reduce swelling. Some of the lotions you can purchase include, Benadryl, Calamine and hydrocortisone cream. There are other homemade medications you can use instead too like, green tea, aloe Vera and black tea. (Wash the affected areas with either green tea or black tea)

To treat bed bug bites, prepare a paste with baking soda and water then apply directly to the itchy spot. Leave it to dry and wash off after an hour. Or you can soak a cotton ball in St. John’s Wort or lemon juice and dab on the bite.

Alternatively, you can take a bath with warm water filled with powdered oatmeal, Alka-Seltzer, peppermint oil or baking soda.

Preventive measures against bed bugs

Remove infested beds from the home
Remove every clutter around your bed.
Wrap the mattress in a protecting case to prevent bedbugs from piercing the surface.
Machine-wash your clothing after you return from a trip.
Thoroughly scrutinize your luggage before coming home or after for a bug.
Close up any hole in the mattresses.
If the house is already infested then try spraying with an effective home recommended pesticide.

Preventive measure against fleas

Prepare a homemade bug spray with lemon and apply on your ankles.
Give your pet preventatives once a month.
Eat garlic as fleas are repelled by garlic.
Dab essential oils on your ankles and legs.
Wash and groom your pet frequently.
Vacuum your house at least five times a week.
Prepare a bowl of insect killer with water and apple cider vinegar and leave around areas most like with fleas. They will be attracted by the odor and fall into the bowl.

Mite bite and a Flea bites

March 3, 2019 By admin

The crazy thing about these bugs is, they are of completely different species. This means that they are not even related which is something considering the fact that most people categorize the bugs together. Mites are also found in homes and on pets; they are tiny and may only be seen with the aid of a microscope.

Initially, most fleas and mites will not bite or harm people except they do not have access to an animal host, but some species are for humans though and once a human is bitten by either, they leave swelling, itchy, irritating bite marks in their wake.

You need to know how to tell them apart in order to administer the appropriate treatment because left untreated, a bite can lead to serious health complications.

Mites

Mites are classified as arthropods are closely related to ticks and spiders. They survive by feeding on dead plant and animal material, other insects. Dust mite especially feeds on dead skin cells. Mites rarely infest homes and when they do, you may not even notice.

Are Mites harmful to humans?

If you are bitten by a mite, you may suffer from rashes and skin lumps. One species that are commonly found in and on humans are berry bugs also known as Chigger. They feed on blood in their larval stage, the bites are extremely itchy and a red welt forms on that spot.

On the other hand, problems associated with indoor mites have been confirmed to be from animal nests such as bird nests, mice and rats. When they become too much, they flow over to the surrounding, your home.

If you are bitten, the skin may be reddened for some days but that should wear off after sometime. Anti-itch creams such as hydrocortisone can be used to soothe the itch and reduce the swelling. In a week, those symptoms should disappear completely and if not consult a doctor. On the bright side, the mites do not live humans, they will fall off after feeding.

Scabies are formed from multiple bites of fleas and it can be transmitted from one person to another. This happens because mites like any other living thing has to reproduce. While they feed, mites lay eggs causing pimple-like rashes. Scabies can be treated with prescribed lotions or creams. Some people are allergic to dust mite though the symptoms are rather mild like sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose, all of which can be treated with OTC or prescribed medications.

How to eradicate mites from your home

These arthropods are easy to get rid of, at least easier than fleas. All you need to do is to remove the animal’s nests around your house. No need to buy all those harmful chemical pesticides. If you find this too much, contact an expert to take care of it.

However, it is different with a scabies mite, after getting treated by a doctor, you need to take steps to remove scabies mite from the house. First, thoroughly vacuum the entire house and decontaminate the pet bedding, towels and clothing or you can seal these items in a plastic bag for three days.

Dust mites are harder to get rid of but to avoid an infestation, keep your home clean. Dust and vacuum every day, purchase bedclothes that can be machine-washed and does not accumulate dust, then install air filters (HEPA).

Fleas vs. Bed Bugs

February 9, 2019 By admin

A question often asked when insect activity is seen in the home is if it is fleas vs. bed bugs. The issue though is, both appear similar and are almost impossible to tell apart except for a few features.

Difference between fleas and bed bugs?

Bedbugs

They are nocturnal creatures and are rarely seen around the house except when they are tunneling their way through your mattress or box spring.
Bedbugs are flat and shaped like a seed. They are reddish in color and the adult approximately grows to 5mm.
Bedbugs cannot jump or fly, they crawl.
They have not been confirmed to transmit diseases to humans through their bites.
They can survive for over a year without feeding
They lay about 200 eggs throughout their lifetime which is about a year.
Bed bugs prefer to feed exclusively on humans.

Fleas

Adult fleas grow to 3.3mm, approximately.
They are nocturnal creatures also, but they are not normally seen around mattresses, no. They are found clinging and feeding on your pets.
Fleas are oval-shaped and brownish in color.
They can lay over 200 eggs every week and require a blood meal before they can reproduce.
Fleas commonly use animals as hosts because they are furrier.
These parasites cannot survive without a proper host longer than fourteen days.
They cannot fly but can jump high due to their well-adapted strong hind legs.
Infected fleas have been known to transmit a range of diseases to humans such as Bartonellosis also known as cat scratch disease, Marine Typhus and Black plague.

How to decipher bites

Insects generally leave reddish bite marks on whoever they attack, however it is somewhat difficult to decipher which insect did the biting. Pets and children are the first you inspect for signs of infestation, for children, check their lower legs and your pets around their rump or tails.

If there are many bite marks on them, these are a few pointers you can use to identify which insect bites they are suffering from;

Some people show allergic reactions to bed bug bites, the spot appears elevated from the skin, flat and reddish in color.
Flea bumps get swollen almost immediately after feeding. Then the itch sets in, persistently. Blisters may develop if the itch is not soothed after two days.
Flea bites appear like a cluster of mosquito bites, they are reddish too but with a darker center caused when a flea punctures the skin to feed.
Fleas need a fresh blood meal to reproduce; they also need a host to feed on the instant they break out of their cocoon. This means that fleas feed many times a day while Bed bugs survive on one meal, every ten days, not as frequent as a flea.
Flea bites are noticed almost the instant they occur but bed bug bites take at least a week to surface. The itch builds up after the anesthetic in their saliva wears off the skin.