What Do Flea Bites Look Like?

July 22nd, 2009 Posted in Bed Bugs & Fleas




You’ll probably know a flea bite when you see one – and feel one! But if you’re wondering, what do flea bites look like?

Appearance

It’s a pimple-like abrasion in the skin with a halo of red irritation surrounding it. A flea bite is most common around an area of the body with tight clothing, such as the waist and lower legs.

People who are highly allergic will develop lesions in the skin that scab and crater. Primary lesions are 3-4 mm in diameter.

Often, flea bites occur in groups of three – what’s called the breakfast, lunch and dinner combination.

The culprits behind the nasty bites are blood-sucking parasites of pets, livestock, and humans. The cat flea and the rat flea are the most common pet fleas that don’t hold back on humans either.

The human flea is actually an uncommon breed of the flea family. Only adult fleas are capable of piercing skin with their pointed mouthparts that develop in 3-4 weeks.


Disease and Parasites

Some flea species can transmit diseases, such as plaque, and parasites such as, the tapeworm.

Pretty scary stuff, especially if scratched too much, leading to secondary infection and worsened swelling. But there are ways to treat the bites and destroy the buggers.


Flea Control

To control fleas, clean infested pets, and kill the flea eggs, larvae and adults in bedding, furniture, carpets and other dusty spots in your house.


This involves washing linen and bedding frequently and vacuuming furniture often, as well as the use of insecticides, such as EcoSMART’s Home Pest Control, on pets and carpeting. Unlike other insecticides, it is made from organic plant oils and kills bugs naturally to better protect your family. Plus, there’s no pesticide residue.

By Rob Peach



  1. 55 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!

  2. By Joy on Jul 22, 2009

    I love my pets but I am always paranoid about fleas in my house. Because of that, and the fact that I cannot stand ticks and fear the diseases they can spread, I still use nasty drops on my dogs to prevent these. It’s nice to see there might be some safe and still effective alternatives!

  3. By svannah on Jul 22, 2009

    Hi cool site. Nice Layout.

  4. By Sarah Jang on Jul 23, 2009

    I am really excited about these products. I was looking for organic non toxic sprays that don’t harm my dog and me.

  5. By Jen @ Eco-Office Gals on Jul 23, 2009

    We have had a horrible flea infestation this summer. They are worse then lice to get rid of! Great to see a company that can rid of pests with out practically killing you and your family.

  6. By Stefanie Schmidt on Jul 24, 2009

    Your products are great for getting rid of bugs and good for pets and the planet.

  7. By Katee on Jul 24, 2009

    I would love to be a product tester for your Home Pest Control. We’ve been fighting a flea problem with our cat and dog for over a year, trying not to use too many chemicals, but finding that’s the only thing that will work. We have 3 children, our oldest one has allergies and we try to limit the chemicals released into the indoor air because of this, but we also have an 11 month old who lives on the floor, so spraying chemicals into the carpet is not an option at all!

  8. By Polly Rossi on Jul 27, 2009

    I love the idea of being eco-smart – great for humans and for our pets.

  9. By Barbara Tucker on Jul 30, 2009

    I was on vacation and got flea bites while I was gone? What do I treat them with?

  10. By Peter Iglesia on Jul 31, 2009

    We’ve been overrun with fleas over the last 3 weeks; with a toddler and a baby on the way, EcoSMART sounds like a solution. I hope so, because we’ve tried many sprays, oils, washes, shampoos, food, and NOTHING has helped.

    HELP!!!!

  11. By Rene Marquez on Aug 5, 2009

    I have been using the spray last year and it has worked. But now i would like to use other products but cant find them in my area. LOVE THE PRODUCT!.

  12. By Jasmine on Aug 5, 2009

    This has been a horrible summer for fleas for us. Now my dog and I are both covered in bites and I’ll do anything to get rid of them. But if I can do it naturally my dog and I would both be ecstatic. :)

  13. By Stefanie Schmidt on Aug 6, 2009

    Summers are the worst for bugs. I would love to try your products, they sound amazing.

  14. By Kim on Aug 7, 2009

    I would love to try these products. Never had any problems before, just this year! I obviously didn’t know that they can live on sheets and carpet! So scary, I have quite a few red “dots” on my feet and legs.. so gross!!

  15. By Gloria Puel on Aug 11, 2009

    I’m having one heckuva time with fleas this summer, and don’t know what to do. We don’t use carpeting because of my husband’s allergies, and we don’t take our little Chihuahuas outside. They use doggie litter pans. But we’ve got a gazillion fleas all the same! I use Advantage, bathe them weekly, and have been spraying the furntiture and beds, but, I hate to use that stuff. Is there a safe spray for furniture and bedding? And, I too have flea bites all over me. I hate it when they get into my clothes and bite repeatedly!

  16. By Angie on Aug 12, 2009

    I am having a problem with fleas who seem to like biting me and no one else in the house! Driving me mad. Have tried a few different products and nothing is working. Have treated my cat but I am still getting bitten. WOuld like to find something that works please!!

  17. By Katie on Aug 12, 2009

    Yuck! Our indoor/outdoor cat recently got fleas despite her monthly chemical collar. Do you offer products for cats? It’s great to know there are chemical-free options for eliminating any fleas inside our house.

  18. By Linda De Leon on Aug 13, 2009

    My mother’s dog died recently and she stopped giving flea prevention drops to the cat…bad idea as now we have fleas in my mother’s bedroom where the cat often stays.
    My mother has a respiratory condition (bronchectiasis) and I don’t want to “bomb” the house as a friend suggested. I am taking all the precautions: vacuuming, wsshing the bedding, spraying the cat (with non-toxic flea spray) but I need something for the hardwood floors and furniture!

    Your site is very helpful and I hope you can help!

  19. By Libby Sands on Aug 17, 2009

    Can’t wait to test your products, have two dogs and grand babies.
    Can’t wait to see if your eco friendly products really work or not.

  20. By Sandy on Aug 17, 2009

    Our dog went to the Kennel and came back with all these irritated spots on his body. Our neighbors dog had fleas the other week so I am concerned he may have fleas. I like the fact that your product is safe for dogs and humans so it can be used all over. I have never heard of this product before this web site and would like to try it out.

  21. By Jackie Fox on Aug 23, 2009

    Gosh I would love to test your products, especially since I was searching for a eco-friendly Product.
    Can’t wait, I am ready to go..

  22. By Penny on Aug 26, 2009

    I recently found a kitten, to the dismay of my 6 year old cat, and even though I immediately bathe her, the vet said she had fleas. The vet treated the kitten and I also had the cat treated as well. I scrambled to research pet-friendly products to destroy those alien-looking dastardly demons that might be on the loose somewhere in my house. I read many rave reviews about EcoSmart’s Home Pest Control, and am confident that I’ll be able to hunt down any renegade fleas that got away and be flea free.

  23. By Susan Bernofsky on Aug 26, 2009

    I’d certainly be interested in learning more about your product. My sickly cat brought home fleas from a visit to the vet, and I really don’t want to use toxic chemicals anywhere near him!

  24. By Jessica Dean on Sep 3, 2009

    I have tried several things to get rid of our fleas. We have an 16 month old who seems to be the only who who is getting bitten on his legs, and I feel so bad for him. I would love to test this product to help him out.

  25. By Dottie on Sep 4, 2009

    I would love to be a tester..we have 3 cats and fleas are always an issue!

  26. By Sandy on Sep 16, 2009

    My tiny fur baby is a flea magnet. She is so low to the ground and when “going” outside the fleas in the summer grass must be thinking ‘food, food’…I am constantly combing, brushing and picking the monsters from her. I fear the industial type flea treatments and would love a EcoSmart product that would rid my baby of her blood suckers AND something that could treat the grass she plays in.

  27. By Patrick on Sep 30, 2009

    If flea bites were dollars I would have enough money to order your product and have it shipped via a special jet to me here in Manila. This is one American longing for easily available, non-toxic flea control.

  28. By Teresa St.Germain on Oct 8, 2009

    Ok kids I need advise. I have either flea bites or poison ivy/oak rash or both on top of each other. How do flea bites feel on your skin when you touch them? Mine are blisters that are hard to the touch, have a center spot that you can see through the blister & only the blister is red. There is no rhyme or reason to the area, sizes or shapes of them. They don’t leak, they keep getting bigger & they itch like crazy.

    We’re animal lovers so we have had fleas before I would be glad to test stuff because I want to find something that works.

    Thanks

  29. By Stacey on Oct 11, 2009

    I need the help newborn in the household now and the other kids are bigger hosts than the animals.

  30. By EcoSMART Jon on Oct 12, 2009

    Patrick,

    I’m sorry your flea bites haven’t turned you into a millionaire, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have EcoSMART shipped to you.

    Our online shop has all of our products to be shipped to you.

    Sorry, no personal jet though.

  31. By Stacey on Oct 15, 2009

    My 2 year old has flea bites all over her hips and lower back! And we don’t even have pets! With a toddler and newborn baby in the house I’m terrified to use nasty chemicals to fight the fleas, centipedes and cockroaches (it’s Hawaii – there are a lot of em). I would love to test your safe and organic products!

  32. By TINA GOREY on Oct 16, 2009

    We have an indoor cat and a puppy. We are having a horrible time with fleas despite collars, sprays, vacuuming and constant washing of bed linens. We even sprayed the yard with something that was supposed to kill or prevent them. We have 4 kids and 1 of them is having a HORRIBLE time with bites. Although we have all had bites here and there he has it the worst. I feel so bad that I can’t stop this. We have allergies and bronchitis and I really dislike having to use irritating chemicals. The bites and itching are so bad I got a phone call from school to pick him up because he was scratching so much. PLEASE HELP!!!! I would love to be able to test your product and help my family and pets.

  33. By Lyn J. on Oct 24, 2009

    We have been over-ridden with fleas for at least the past month. We first tried an eco-friendly product ($250) to spray the house and yard. The kitten was treated with Frontline by the vet and changed to Advantage when Frontline didn’t work. She then was put on pills. She is now rid of the fleas but has been at the vet for over a week since the house is still infested. We hired an exterminator who used an adulticide and IGR. We still had fleas the next day. Like one of the people above, I am being bitten severely while my husband is untouched! Help please! Have now spent about $1000 between vet bills, flea control and laundromat.

  34. By Cathaleen on Oct 24, 2009

    I live in a very rural area with lots of wild creatures. Fleas and ticks are a constant problem. I have tried just about everything to get rid of them, but my cats and dogs keep picking them up from the outside. Help I have worn out two vaccuum cleaners and as many flea combs and I know that chemical free products do work best.

  35. By Carol Gomes on Oct 24, 2009

    What a great website! I have a 2 yr old maltese that is my husband’s service dog. Fleas seem to be a common problem everywhere we go, even with something like frontline plus, they don’t seem to be gone. I would love to know more about your products and try them on our dog.

    thank you!

  36. By nirra on Oct 24, 2009

    I have a baby on the way in about a week, and four dogs! It would be great to have a product that I can feel safe about using that will be safe for use around the house. I would love to test this product on our pets pests.

  37. By casey on Oct 25, 2009

    I have 3 cats and 1 dog.Flea control is a problem for us as we live on Lake Erie. One of my cats is alergic to the fleas. She chews so hard on herself she gets sores. Another cat is alergic to all the chemicals to fight fleas. sprays ,powders,flea collars,drops.I would love to find products to use that are organic and work.Cocco,Honey,Isis,and Muttley thank you.

  38. By Marcia Matthews on Oct 25, 2009

    We have 3 dogs. all are welcome to go in and out all they want to . This last 2 years have been a real fight with fleas . We have tried collars , drops , sprays Ect. The drops work for about 3 full days ! The 4th day get ready to fight the fleas again . This stuff say “works for 30 days!” I would love to give your products a real try !
    Eco friendly would be icing on the cake.
    Thank you

  39. By Melanie on Oct 26, 2009

    I have 3 indoor cats, yet somehow they have managed to get fleas. We have had a horrible flea problem in our area this year. I would like to know what I can use in my home and on my cats that would be safe for them and that would also be safe to use around my two children.

  40. By Chrystal on Nov 3, 2009

    Oh boy, I am terrified of fleas. I practically had an anxiety attack when i was rubbing my dogs belly to find FLEAS! We have gone green and try to go chemical free, so there are not a lot of options! I’m not sure what to do. We tried bathing them, and handpicked all the fleas. We didnt see a one, until tonight, which is so frustrating! We thought we had it licked! We need a chemical free option. Would love to test!

  41. By Ronnie on Nov 7, 2009

    2 cats in our house. I’m still not sure what
    fleas and flea bites look like. But I’m so itchy I can’t sleep. Don’t want something that will hurt the cats. Would like to test
    EcoSmart for fleas.

  42. By Katie on Nov 8, 2009

    We have 2 dogs and 2 cats. 1 cat is scratching and biting herself rediculously. We have tried the drops, which didn’t really see an improvement from. We have tried the spray, which freaks her out. Now have tried the collar, which is breaking her neck out but seems to be helping other areas of her body. I am at a loss, I don’t know what else to try. This product sounds like something we would love to give a try!

  43. By Katie on Nov 14, 2009

    I have a 2 year old and a newborn and we can’t seem to get rid of our flea problem! I need something safe I can spray the house with that won’t harm the kids!!

  44. By Lynne Miller on Nov 29, 2009

    I am allergic to fleas and severly allergic to any chemicals, even those that say they are ’safe’. The flea population has exploded in FL this year, and for once I can’t get rid of them any way. I would love to be a tester to see if it will work without making me and the cats sick. Thanks!!

  45. By Liz Hoogs on Jan 19, 2010

    HELP!!!!my poor sweet four year old son is getting bitten regularly! We have been battling these bugger for three months now and cannot seem to win.The worst part about it is that they are only biting my son and he’s been itchy for months! All the cleaning in the world just doesn’t seem to be working. I would love to try your product! My husband and I are totally against using harsh chemicals and your all natural product sounds great!

  46. By Lukano on Mar 29, 2010

    I sprayed the yard around my home and bombed the inside of my home… I’m still getting bitten. I don’t own pets, but have stray and neighbor cats and dogs that pass by my yard. Can I spray this stuff on my mattress? Thanks!

  47. By EcoSMART Megan on Apr 5, 2010

    Dear Lukano,

    Yes, EcoSMART is safe to use on your mattress if you suspect fleas are living there. I would spray earlier in the day to give it time to work before you crawl into bed.

  48. By Richard on Aug 24, 2010

    My wife is always covered with flea bites and we are concerned about the tapeworm or bubonic plague possibility. She can walk into a pet store and come out with several bites, or go into someone’s home where they have pets and come home covered with flea bites, and the rest of the family and friends are never affected – only her. We 3 cats that have supervised outdoor time. We have tried just about everything to get rid of the fleas, but they are forever a problem. The wife was covered with flea bites before we had cats! She is a flea-magnet and we desperately need help. She is literally covered head to toe all year round with flea bites, and she scratches all night long and keeps us both awake. She uses everything from vinegar to eucalyptus and smells like it too which does NOT help. We would love to be testers.

  49. By tammy on Aug 28, 2010

    i think that the product is really good

  50. By Sheila Jaworski on Sep 9, 2010

    flea’s arent just tiny bugs you do know that the larva is a tiny little worm like creature with the head of a flea, if your like me and live out in the woods there’s some good and bad news.

    bad news flea’s are everywhere.

    good news two products can get rid of them one is malathion sprayed around the outside of your home. otherwise known as kennel spray in a black bottle. spray it around the yard and make a parimiter sweep around the outside of your home. do not let your pets out until it dry’s.

    two flea spray from ecosmart is great for indoors now every window, door to the outside and wall at the base must be sprayed this stops them coming in more. then spray across furniture drapes carpets.

    here is another good luck charm salt. salt on a carpet scrub it in with your broom and let it sit for 5 minutes then vacuum away those tiny pests.

    also tiny round dots form when bitten just like mosquito’s gnats and no see-ums. however kennel spray will take care of the outside issue. the inside I’d recommend ecosmart. and salt.

    also if your blood is sweet i know you’ve heard this one, you will be attacked, it’s the range on blood type actually that depends on if your bitten, try taking a sip of vinegar white vinegar and garlic. do not put it on your skin it wont help. also you can also take vitamin b complex read the box that will rule out the tiny mosquitoes we get that look like tiny gnats.

    and yes gnats bite ick!

  51. By Sheila Jaworski on Sep 9, 2010

    here’s another idea Eco smart has one product out right now that my neighbor was just using, called home pest control. Now as something i don’t normally Do on a regular basis without comparison i will give you a small idea and review of the product that 1. i did not use my neighbor did. 2 i was standing in direct contact of the product.

    My neighbor was outside and proceeded to spray ecosmart’s home pest control across her deck while i was sitting there drinking my normal fruit punch(no calorie) and water mix. I sat there a bit confused because most outside chemicals are really bad to be around or even inhale except for kennel spray that you just have to wait for it to dry, but this she accidentally sprayed on my foot and leg. Needless to say I did frown waiting for some kind of adverse effect or her deck paint to chip anything. course Nothing happened except the no seeums she had were gone right then and there, i stopped getting bit by them. and i could tell you there worse than flea’s at least you can see a flea when it jumps away these things are like invisible haunting cruel biters there actually there but yet you cant see them at all. Well to make a long story short. While she was spraying everything from top to bottom i realized i was right in the area she was spraying and didn’t smell anything either, by anything i mean that harsh chemical spray, you know the one, that one that makes you gag and cough and your eyes water, makes you feel like you cant breath. Nope no smell like that either.

    So I decided to do a little investigation of my own and went back to her deck and sat. sure enough no biting, And now here I am on the ecosmart’s blog telling you if you haven’t bought this product your missing out. If your one of there testers. Congrats! Wish I was this product is better than and i hate to mention names but here i go a list of products this one bottle out matches.

    Hartz drops 1-month
    Hartz spray for dogs and cats
    hartz flea collar
    Advantage drops

    there are so many more products out there that this one bottle leaves in the dust, that I was told it was a best kept secret and now I have seen first hand why.

    But don’t take my word for it, try it yourself!

  52. By Bonny Branting on Sep 28, 2010

    HELP – I need some relief from these nasty little fleas. I got a new home for the dog but the fleas stayed. My cat shows no sign of the little demons. They are in my carpets and I am sure elsewhere. I have tried 3 different brands of flea killer to no avail. I have lost work days because the little demons even got in my work boots and my ankles on up are a mess with bites. Yes, they are miserable and I can’t seem to stop itching even with perscribed meds. I have tried all the above mentioned recomendations except the EcoSmart products. Could I please test your product for you.

  53. By Jamie Hardin on Nov 24, 2010

    Has anyone used this product yet? I have been fighting fleas for over a month now and the fleas are winning. Two visits from terminex and we still have fleas. Would love to try this stuff and hear some experiences.

  54. By kris hotchkiss on Dec 8, 2010

    I have a 20mnth old son and i would like to find a product that is safe for him as well for my kittens i have recently recieved free kitten and they brought fles with them merry christmas to me so please HELP i want to win this war with these pesky fleas..

  55. By Shonna on Aug 24, 2011

    This has given me alot of information. My home was just infested with fleas and I know the steps to take now. Thanks

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