How to Get Rid of Fleas in Mattresses

Can Fleas Live in Your Bed?

These pests infest multiple areas in homes, especially mattresses, cushions, and carpeting. Pets transfer fleas to the beds and furniture where they sleep.

From here, the insects quickly spread around the house. Since immature fleas live and feed off a host in beds and rugs, finding out where the pests are living is crucial to stopping an infestation.

How Do Fleas Get in the Bed?

Fleas are not usually found infesting a homeowner’s beds and bedding. Fleas that are observed in beds and bedding are most likely there only to take a blood meal or were perhaps dislodged from the animal if the pet is allowed to sleep in the same bed as the homeowner.

However, if the homeowner does not wash and change the bedding for a long while, it is possible that the immature stages of the fleas could possibly take up residence in a bed or bedding.

The more likely situation is that flea eggs, larvae and pupae are living under the bed or, even more likely, are living in the bed and bedding of the household pet(s).

Signs of Fleas in the Bed

Pets frequently scratching themselves is an early indicator of flea infestation. In addition, small, dark, oval-shaped spots that show up on a light-colored sheet could be fleas in the bed.

Do fleas bite humans?

Commonly active during the warmer months, fleas feed on the blood of warm-blooded mammals – which includes humans. Fleas can easily hitch a ride from place to place as they’re great at latching onto pets, clothing, or outdoor materials such as a picnic blanket or tote bag. Fleas in the house are typically found in sleeping areas such as bedding, carpet, and mattresses.

Fleas on humans are often found in areas that are closer to the ground, as fleas tend to grab onto clothing while a person is outside. Appearing as small, red bumps, flea bites on humans usually appear in a straight line or in groups of three or four, which is different from a tick or mosquito bite. These bumps typically show up on ankles, legs, elbows, knees, and other areas that are within a flea’s jump span, which can be as high as 150 times its height.