How to Get Rid of Fleas in the Bed

There’s nothing quite like snuggling up in bed with your beloved dog or cat for a cuddle session. However, if your furry friend brings home fleas, these unwelcome guests might find their way into your bedding. Fleas in the bed can lead to irritating bites and persistent itching for both pets and humans. Due to their tiny size, they can be challenging to detect and eliminate. 

Key Takeaways:

• Fleas can enter your home through pets, second-hand items, or even people who have been in infested areas. They often infest bedding, carpets, and soft furniture, thriving in warm, sheltered spots.
• Signs of fleas in your home include flea dirt, tiny insects in bedding, or itchy bites in clusters, especially on your feet and ankles. Pets are the primary carriers, so checking their fur is crucial.
• To get rid of fleas, wash bedding in hot water, vacuum thoroughly, treat pets with appropriate flea control methods, and consider professional pest control to ensure they don’t return.

What Are Fleas?

Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that survive by feeding on the blood of animals and humans. They live on the surface of their host’s skin, hiding beneath fur or hair, which makes them hard to spot—especially on pets with thick coats. 

Adult fleas typically measure between 1.5 to 3.2 millimeters in length. Around 2,000 species and subspecies of fleas are known, and many have traveled across continents by hitching a ride on human or animal hosts.

How Do Fleas Get Inside?

Fleas are excellent jumpers, capable of leaping up to 13 inches—about 200 times their own body length. The most common way fleas enter a home is through pets like cats and dogs. While outdoors, your pet may pick up fleas, which can latch onto their skin and are carried indoors. They can also come into your home via second-hand furniture and clothing or even on people who have been in infested environments. 

Can Fleas Live in Your Bed?

Yes, fleas can live and thrive in your bed. They are attracted to the warmth and potential food source that a bed provides. Fleas prefer to hide in soft materials and small crevices, making mattresses, pillows, and bedding ideal spots. However, without a host to feed on, they won’t survive long in these areas.

Can fleas live on blankets and bedding?

Fleas like to burrow into soft, small spaces and hide, such as plush carpeting and bedding. However, they won’t live there for long if they don’t have a food source. Fleas are far more likely to live on your pet’s body or bedding than on your sheets and blankets. If you share your bed with your pet, fleas may lay eggs in or around your bedding and blankets, and you may find flea larvae on your bed.

What Attracts Fleas in Bed?

Fleas are drawn to beds mainly because they offer warmth and shelter. If your pet sleeps on your bed, the likelihood of finding fleas in your bed goes up. The presence of pet hair and dander can also attract fleas, giving them a suitable environment to lay eggs.

How Can You Tell if You Have Fleas in Bed?

To confirm an infestation, inspect your bedding carefully. Look for tiny insects moving quickly or small black specks, which might be flea dirt. You can also try wearing white socks and walking around your bedroom—fleas may jump onto them, making it easier to spot them. Check your pet’s fur, especially around the neck and tail, for signs of fleas or flea dirt.

Are Fleas Biting Me in My Sleep?

If you’re waking up with clusters of small, itchy bites, fleas may be biting you during the night. Flea bites on humans often appear in groups of three or four and are commonly found on the feet, ankles, and legs. The bites can cause discomfort and, in some cases, allergic reactions.

How Do You Get Rid of Fleas on Mattresses?

To get rid of fleas on a mattress, follow these steps:

1. Strip the bedding: Remove all sheets, pillowcases, and blankets.
2. Wash thoroughly: Launder bedding in hot water and dry on high heat to kill fleas at all life stages.
3. Vacuum the mattress: Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to clean the mattress thoroughly, focusing on seams and crevices.
4. Steam clean: Consider using a steam cleaner, as the heat can kill fleas and their eggs.
5. Protective covers: Encase your mattress and pillows in flea-proof covers to prevent re-infestation.
6. Dispose of vacuum contents: Empty the vacuum canister or dispose of the bag outside to prevent fleas from re-entering your home.

How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Bedroom

There is no one trick to getting rid of fleas. Eliminating fleas from your bedroom requires a comprehensive approach:

1. Wash bedding and linens: Launder all bedding, curtains, and soft furnishings in hot water and dry on high heat.
2. Vacuum thoroughly: Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery, especially in areas where your pet spends time. Don’t forget under furniture and along baseboards.
3. Clean or replace pet beds: Wash your pet’s bedding in hot water or replace it if it is heavily infested.
4. Treat your pet: Consult your veterinarian for appropriate flea treatments, such as topical medications, shampoos, or flea combs.

How to Prevent Fleas from Returning

To keep fleas away, maintain a clean environment in your home by vacuuming and thoroughly cleaning areas your pet frequents to remove fleas and their eggs. Regular grooming is essential for catching fleas early, so brush and bathe your pet frequently.  Keep the grass mowed in your yard and clear away debris where fleas might hide and breed. Preventative flea treatments for your pet can also stop infestations before they start. 

While all of these measures can help, professional pest control is the most effective way to eliminate fleas and ensure they don’t return—especially if you have pets.

Let the experts at Hawx handle it

Hawx Pest Control offers safe and effective solutions to eliminate fleas and other pests from your home and yard. Our professional technicians have the expertise and experience to handle a wide range of infestations, ensuring even the most persistent flea problems are solved. Contact us today for a free estimate and take the first step toward a comfortable, flea-free environment for you and your pets.