Bed Bug vs Flea vs Bed Louse: The Differences

Woke up with red welts in your North Shore bedroom? Could be bed bugs, fleas, or those sneaky bed lice (aka body lice crashing your sheets). These bloodsuckers mimic each other, but nailing the ID saves your sanity—and your cash on the wrong zap. Let's slice 'em apart for Montreal folks dealing with the itch.

Bed Bugs: The Flat Mattress Squatters

Size & Shape: 4-5mm, flat oval like an apple seed, reddish-brown—no wings, crawls only.

Bites: Lines or clusters on exposed skin (arms, neck)—itchy red welts with dark center, no rash spread.

Habits: Night feeders on humans, hide in mattress seams, baseboards. Travel souvenirs from hotels or used couches. One female lays 200-500 eggs—infests fast.

Spot 'em in your South Shore sofa? You're in vampire territory.

Fleas: The Jumpy Pet Pirates

Size & Shape: 1-3mm, narrow oval, dark reddish-brown—wingless but jumps like a champ (up to 13 inches).

Bites: Random red dots, super itchy, often on lower legs/ankles—can cause hives or allergies.

Habits: Pet pros (cats/dogs), but hit humans if desperate. Lay 150-300 eggs weekly in carpets/floors. Pupa stage survives months sans host.

Fido's flea circus invading your Montreal rug? Blame the furball.

Bed Lice (Body Lice): The Hygiene Hitchhikers

Size & Shape: 2-3mm, flat oval/elongated, grayish-white—six legs, no jump, crawls slow.

Bites: Intense itch on body (not head/scalp), red spots in lines—can spread typhus in bad conditions.

Habits: Cling to clothing/seams, not beds—thrive in crowded, unhygienic spots. Eggs (nits) glue to fabrics. Rare in clean homes, but travel or shared laundry invites 'em.

Crowded Rive-Nord hostel aftermath? Lice alert.

Quick Comparison: Nail Your Pest

Bed Bugs: 4-5mm flat oval, crawls no jump, line bites on upper body, humans only, blood spots/eggs in seams.

Fleas: 1-3mm narrow, jumps high, random leg bites, pets/humans, flea dirt on pets.

Bed Lice: 2-3mm elongated, crawls slow, intense torso itch, humans/clothing, nits on seams.

Wrong guess? Wrong fix—fleas laugh at bed bug sprays.

"Thought it was fleas from my cat—turns out bed bugs. Bites everywhere, wasted a week on pet shampoo!" — Jamie K., Montreal cat mom

Ready to ID and Annihilate?

Don't let mix-ups multiply the misery. Nova Thermique's pros spot bed bugs vs fleas vs lice in one sweep, delivering one-shot, chemical-free heat treatment that crushes 'em all—guaranteed results, no mess. We cover Montreal, North Shore, and South Shore with immediate service to get you bite-free fast.

Grab your FREE no-obligation inspection now: https://www.novathermique.ca/en/contact or ring us at 438-270-1762. Pests gone, the same day! 🛡️