If you're getting bitten at home in Moreleta Park and don't know why, the first step is identifying what's biting. Bed bugs, fleas, bird mites and mosquitoes all leave itchy marks, but they live in completely different places: the bed, the carpet and garden, the roof, and standing water. Treat the wrong one and the bites carry on. We inspect, identify, and then treat the actual source.
Working out what's biting you
Bed bugs
Where bites appear: exposed skin while you sleep, often in lines or clusters on the arms, shoulders and neck.
Other clues: dark spots on mattress seams, blood smears on sheets, shed skins, and the flat, reddish-brown bugs themselves.
Usual source: luggage, second-hand furniture, guests. More on bed bug treatment in Moreleta Park.
Fleas
Where bites appear: ankles and lower legs, often in small groups.
Other clues: pets scratching, tiny jumping insects on light floors, flea dirt in pet bedding.
Usual source: dogs and cats, stray animals, shady garden spots where pets lie.
Bird mites
Where bites appear: upper body and arms, mainly at night.
Other clues: tiny moving specks on ceilings, walls and near light fittings, birds nesting in the roof or eaves.
Usual source: an abandoned bird nest in the roof. See our bird mite page for the suburb.
Mosquitoes
Where bites appear: any exposed skin, particularly in the evening and at night.
Other clues: the high-pitched whine, mosquitoes resting on walls and ceilings.
Usual source: standing water nearby, from pot saucers and gutters to ponds.
Why Moreleta Park gets all four
A big family suburb means plenty of pets, which brings fleas. Lots of homes have tiled roofs, solar panels and mature trees that birds use, which brings bird mites. People travel, take in second-hand furniture and host visitors, which is how bed bugs arrive. And summer rain combined with leafy gardens and areas of low, damp ground near the spruit gives mosquitoes places to breed.
Timing gives useful clues. Bites that start suddenly in early summer, in one bedroom, often point to bird mites after fledging. Bites that build gradually over weeks, mostly on one person in one bed, suggest bed bugs. Bites concentrated on the ankles of everyone who walks across the lounge carpet, especially after a holiday when the dogs were in kennels, usually mean fleas hatching in an empty house.
Our process
- Ask and look. We ask when and where the bites happen and who's being bitten, then inspect beds, carpets, pet areas, ceilings, the roof void and the garden.
- Identify. Once we know the culprit, we explain it in plain terms.
- Treat the source. That might be residual treatment of beds and furniture for bed bugs, the home and garden for fleas, nest treatment and indoor treatment for bird mites, or source reduction and resting-area treatment for mosquitoes.
- Follow-up. Bed bugs and heavy flea infestations usually need a second visit.
All our normal treatments are odourless and non-staining. Children and pets should only go back onto treated surfaces once they're dry.
The mistake that wastes the most time
Spraying the bedroom with an insect spray because the bites happen at night. If it's bird mites, the source is above the ceiling. If it's fleas, they're in the carpet and the dog's bed. If it's bed bugs, they're deep in the mattress seams and bed frame. A general spray rarely touches any of them.
What you can do now
- Strip the bed and check mattress seams and the base with a torch.
- Check your pets for fleas and flea dirt.
- Look for birds going in and out of the roof.
- Walk the garden and empty anything holding water.
- Take a photo of any insect or mark you find, even a blurry one helps.
Local tip: if the bites started in early summer and you've heard birds in the roof above your bedroom, bird mites are high on the list in this suburb. A quick look in the roof void often confirms it.
What does it cost?
It depends entirely on what's biting and how established it is. A flea treatment, a bed bug treatment and a bird mite treatment are all priced differently. Once we've identified the problem, we'll explain the cost clearly. If it turns out to be mosquitoes from a bucket behind the garage, the fix might cost you nothing.
For more, see biting insect control across Pretoria, or our Faerie Glen biting insect service. The rest of our local services are on the Moreleta Park pest control page.
Our biting insect treatments are backed by a 3-month guarantee. Call 012 012 5526, or WhatsApp us a photo of the bites or anything you've found in the bed.
Questions we get asked
How can I tell what's biting me?
Look at where and when the bites happen. Ankle bites suggest fleas, bites in lines after sleeping suggest bed bugs, and bites with specks on the ceiling suggest bird mites.
Can I have bites from more than one insect at once?
Yes, it happens. A home can have fleas and mosquitoes at the same time, for example, which is why proper identification matters.
Why is only one person in the house being bitten?
People react differently to bites. Others may be bitten too but show no marks, or the biting insect may be concentrated in one person's room.
When do bites need a doctor?
If bites become infected, swell severely, or you feel unwell, yes. Most insect bites are itchy but not dangerous.
Will a photo be enough for you to identify the biter?
Often, yes. WhatsApp us a clear photo of the insect or a sample in a sealed bag, and we'll tell you what it is.
Do I need to throw away my bedding?
No. Washing bedding on hot and drying it on high is usually enough. The treatment depends on the insect we find.