What are fleas & ticks?
Fleas and ticks are external parasites that feed on the blood of their animal or human hosts. Both fleas and ticks invade our properties in large numbers and pose health risks to both us and our pets.
Fleas are tiny – only about the size of a speck of dirt. They have hard, flat bodies that are brownish-red in color. These insects are wingless, but they have powerful hind legs they use to move through the fur of their animal hosts. Fleas also have specialized spines on their mouths, legs, and backs to help them stay on their host.
Ticks are arachnids, which means that they have eight legs, and their bodies are made from two distinct sections: the cephalothorax (the fused head and thorax) and their abdomen. Ticks are very small and are generally a shade of brown or black. They live in many of the wild places in the United States, but any place that has abundant moisture and shade could house a tick. They are particularly fond of foliage such as bushes, tall grasses, and plants because these give them a vantage point to jump or cling onto animals and humans that pass by. They feed on blood and access it by burrowing their heads into the flesh of animals and humans.
Are fleas & ticks dangerous?
Fleas pass parasitic tapeworms to both people and pets. In general, flea bites are itchy, but those animals and people allergic to their saliva develop a severe, itchy dermatitis that often leads to a secondary infection with excessive itching. Severely infested pets can become anemic and very ill because the fleas are consuming so much of their blood. Ticks pose significant health risks to people and our pets. Depending on the exact species, they carry and transmit a wide range of disease-causing pathogens and bacteria. Diseases spread by ticks include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia.
Why do I have a flea & tick problem?
Wild animals introduce fleas and ticks into our properties and yards. After feeding and falling off of their host, both fleas and ticks wait for a new host to happen by – and that new host could be you, your kids, or your pets! Ticks rarely become a problem indoors since most species are not able to complete their breeding cycle indoors. However, fleas are capable of breeding inside and just a few finding their way inside can create a large-scale infestation.
Where will I find fleas & ticks?
Fleas and ticks living outdoors spend most of their lives on their hosts. When they are not on a host, ticks hide in tall grasses, along fence lines, in dense vegetation, in ditches, along the edge of ponds, or at the edge of woods or wooded paths. Fleas without a host hide in shady, moist, or sandy areas like under decks, under shrubs, and leaf piles, avoiding open sunny areas. They also find their way into homes inside used furniture or rugs already infested with their eggs, larvae, or adult fleas.
How do I get rid of fleas & ticks?
Dedicated to providing our residential and commercial customers with effective pest control solutions, Evolve Pest Control will solve all of your Texas, Nevada, and St. George, Utah property’s pest problems. Our trained and experienced service technicians perform thorough inspections and advanced treatments to eliminate pests and prevent them from returning. Our goal is to offer our customers high-quality services that are affordable and eco-friendly, helping them to maintain a pest-free home or business. To request your free quote and get started with your service, contact Evolve Pest Control today!
How can I prevent fleas & ticks in the future?
In addition to our professional services, the following tips will help to keep fleas and ticks off your property:
- Prune overgrown shrubs and bushes to ensure that the sun hits the ground and dries out the soil.
- Avoid purchasing upholstered furniture or rugs for your home or business.
- Place a stone barrier between wooded areas and your lawn.
- Regularly groom and bathe your pets.
- Regularly wash pet bedding.
- Keep grass around your building cut short.
- Keep pets off of your bed and upholstered furniture.
- Remove bird feeders that could attract wild animals to your yard.
- Seal up holes in your foundation and siding to keep out rodents and other wild animals.
- Put your pets on a year-round flea and tick control program under the guidance of their veterinarian.
