Fleas are a common problem with pets, but they’re also a potential danger in humans’ homes – especially when it comes to infrequent visitors. I’ve heard about people getting fleas in their homes after a friend or family member drops by with a few flea-ridden pets in tow.
The problem is that flea bites can cause a lot of itching, and the bugs are also known carriers of the disease plague.
Can fleas live on an air mattress? Yes, they can hide on the hidden or folded side of the mattress, even though the mattress is made of vinyl material.
What are common fleas?
Fleas are creepy, blood-sucking parasites that can cause a lot of discomfort and itching.
Flea bites are a common problem for pet owners.
Normally, fleas feed on their host animal at night, and take shelter in their host’s hair during the day.
Fleas are not exactly rare insects, but they are not exactly common either.
Most people will never come into close contact with one, and will never see one either.
How can this be?
Fleas are small, brown insects that are about the size of a grain of salt.
They also have small, black eyes and long, thin legs.
These insects are not known to fly.
Not only can they jump, but fleas can also spring away as far as 8 inches away from the host.
Now, fleas are mostly active at night.
They are attracted to body heat and they move quickly.
In addition, fleas are known to be most active in the summer and fall months, though they can appear in warmer climates year-round.
Can fleas live on air mattress?
Absolutely, yes!
One may wonder if fleas can live on air mattresses.
Above and beyond the basic properties of comfort and durability, air mattresses have other attributes that come from vinyl or rubber they are made of.
Though it may sound counterintuitive, fleas can indeed survive and reproduce on air mattresses.
Over time, you can expect the same kinds of problems you might experience in a regular bed—mildew, dust mites, and in some cases, fleas.
In either of these situations, the person has to do some cleaning of the infested bed to get rid of the fleas.
How fleas get to your air mattress
Because there are many possible factors you can consider, such as the new carpet you just bought, your dog’s new flea collar, or the new neighbor’s dog, it can be challenging to pinpoint the true source of your flea problem.
Don’t worry!
I can help you figure out where they’re coming from without much trouble.
1. Pets
If you have pets in your house, then you might be aware that your dog or cat might have fleas, as we’ve already discussed.
Fleas spread rapidly and so you need to get rid of them before they start to become a problem.
Fleas can jump to humans and if they do, they can transfer to your bed.
We all like to have a nice sleep, so this is definitely something that you need to avoid.
2. Furniture
You might be surprised to know that your fleas don’t just jump out of nowhere and into your furry friend.
In fact, they are already in your home and come in through your furniture!
Fleas live in homes and other areas with a lot of dirt and dust.
They can get into homes through furniture, like upholstered couches and chairs.
3. Rodents – that come to your backyard
The common misconception is that fleas come to your home on their own.
The key is to understand that fleas will come to your home if you have rodents like mice.
This is because the fleas are looking for a host.
The host will be any animal that the fleas can get in contact with.
The fleas will not just come by random, they will only come if there is a host to be found.
When you have rodents or any animal that spends time both outside and in the house, it will only be a matter of time before you start seeing fleas in your home.
4. Vacation or other short visits
If you’re traveling with pets, there’s a good chance you’ll come home with a few extra souvenirs.
It’s not exactly fun to find a few extra ticks crawling around in your hair when you’re unpacking from a summer vacation.
But that’s not what you’ll find only.
For many people, when they get back from a vacation, there are one or two new guests in the house with them: fleas.
Many pets bring fleas back to your home when you return.
With long, thin legs and bodies, they’re able to easily slip into even the tightest of spaces, and can be difficult to get rid of once they’ve settled in.
Signs of flea bites
When a flea bites you, you’ll experience a sudden, short lived severe itchiness or irritation.
Fleas are the bane of many pet parents, but these tiny, blood-sucking parasites can be very hard to spot.
If you’re not sure if your pet has fleas, take a look around your home.
Spotting flea activity is the first step to controlling the infestation.
Flea bites—often found on the lower half of an animal’s body—are the most obvious sign of flea infestation.
If you’re trying to figure out if your cat or dog has fleas, look for these other signs:
- small red bumps
- severe scratching
- anemia
- hair loss
- red patches
- Scabs
How to protect your air mattress from fleas
Fleas have become a common problem in many homes.
The problem is most of us don’t know how to prevent fleas from getting to the air mattress.
I have ever dealt with an infestation of fleas in my home and I know that it is not fun.
After all, there are no men in white lab coats writing multiple grant proposals for the right to study my fleas.
But here is how I think you can protect your air mattress from fleas:
- Clean up any dust or spills on floor and mattress immediately
- Store away air mattress along with pillows when not in use in a zippered cover
- If you have pets, wash or clean them regularly and make sure they don’t bring fleas into house
- Wash the sheets and blankets used on the air mattress often
- Vacuum the mattress
- Spray your air mattress with insect repellent before using
How to get rid of fleas on your air mattress
A flea infestation is disastrous for any home, but should not be a huge problem for families using an air mattress who know how to deal with them.
Air mattresses can be an ideal place for flea eggs to lay and grow.
Although it is important to prevent bites from occurring in the first place, it is equally important to remove any fleas that have already bitten you.
Unlike most household pests, fleas will go wherever you go.
They breed in the tiny cracks and crevices in your bed, furniture or even the fur of your pet.
That means your best defense against these blood-sucking parasites is to destroy their home base.
One way to do that is to spray your air mattress with a flea spray and vacuum up the dead insects. Spray the mattress with an insecticide that says it’s safe for mattresses.
The key is good sanitation, which means vacuuming, washing your floors, and cleaning your furniture.
