Fleas and ticks are not the pests you want to let linger around your home for too long. In fact, you shouldn’t have them around your home at all! These blood-hungry pests aren’t only harmful to your pets but also to you and your children. The possible diseases you can get from them are endless. In this blog, we will cover the importance of flea and tick control and how to choose the best pest control company to do it!
Understanding Fleas and Ticks
Although these pests are both after the same thing- blood, they are very different from one another. That is why unveiling the two is the first step to effective flea and tick control.
What are Fleas?
Fleas are small, wingless insects that are known for their ability to jump long distances relative to their size. With this skill, they can easily commute from host to host and other environments, making them a widespread pest.
The Impact of Fleas on Pets and Humans
Flea bites are more than just an annoyance. As for pets, they can trigger allergic reactions, dermatitis, and tapeworm infections. For humans, they can trigger severe itching and irritation, with the potential for disease transmission in certain conditions.
Survival and Reproduction
Fleas prefer warm, humid conditions and can survive for months without feeding. Consequently, their lifecycle—from egg to adult—can span from two weeks to several months, depending on the surrounding environment. Unfortunately, this rapid reproduction cycle means that fleas can rapidly infest homes.
What are Ticks?
Meanwhile, ticks are arachnids, not insects. Meaning they are more closely related to spiders and scorpions than any insect. They prefer to inhabit wooded or grassy areas like backyards. Ticks do not jump or fly. Instead, they wait for a perfect opportunity for a host to brush against them. This behavior is known as “questing”.
Feeding and Health Risks
Ticks attach to their hosts and feed on blood over several days. They achieve this by inserting their mouthparts into the skin and releasing saliva that numbs the area, preventing the host from feeling the tick as it feeds. The saliva also contains substances that inhibit blood clotting and suppress the immune response, facilitating a steady intake of blood. Throughout this period, ticks are known carriers for illnesses such as Lyme Disease and ,Rocky Mountain spotted fever, representing a significant health threat to both pets and humans.
Home Infestation
Unlike fleas, ticks are less likely to infest homes in large numbers due to their outdoor nature. However, they can accidentally be brought indoors by pets or people who have been in tick-infested areas. When this happens they have so problem making themselves at home.
At Home Flea and Tick Control
When it comes to effective flea and tick control, often the best results come from professional intervention. But, there are some things that you can do at home to help you stay flea and tick-free.
Maintain Your Environment
- Yard Care: Keep your lawn trimmed and remove any brush or leaf piles where fleas and ticks could hide. Consider treating your yard with pet-safe pesticides to reduce pest populations.
- Home Cleanliness: Vacuum your home frequently and wash pet bedding on high heat weekly to eliminate any fleas or ticks that have made it indoors.
- Barrier Methods: Create barriers that prevent ticks from entering your yard, such as wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas.
Personal Protection
- Wear Appropriate Clothing: Long sleeves and pants can help keep fleas and ticks off your skin when you’re in wooded or grassy areas.
Education and Awareness
- Stay Informed: Knowing the peak seasons for flea and tick activity in your area can help you take timely preventative measures.
- Pet Education: Educate yourself on the signs of flea and tick infestations in pets, such as excessive scratching, biting, or the presence of fleas or ticks in their fur.
By making prevention a priority, you can significantly lower the chance of flea and tick problems. This effort leads to a safer, more comfortable space for both your pets and your family. Remember, regularly applying these strategies is key to effectively keeping these pests away.
Recognizing an Infestation
Identifying an infestation is crucial for effective flea and tick control and prevention. Here is how to spot the signs and take action.
Signs of Flea Infestation
- Excessive Scratching: One of the first signs your pet has fleas is if they start scratching, licking, or biting their fur more than usual.
- Flea Dirt: Look for tiny black specks (flea feces) in your pet’s coat or on their bedding. When placed on a wet paper towel, these specks will turn a reddish-brown color due to the blood they contain.
- Visible Fleas: Adult fleas are small and dark. Though they move quickly, you might see them on your pet’s body, especially around the ears, neck, and base of the tail.
- Flea Eggs: You may find these tiny white specks, known as flea eggs, in areas where your pet sleeps or spends a lot of time.
Signs of Tick Infestation
- Attached Ticks: Check your pet’s skin for ticks that are attached. These parasites swell with blood as they feed, making them easier to spot.
- Tick Environment: If you find a tick on your pet, it’s likely that there are more in the area or even inside your home, especially if your pet has been in known tick habitats recently.
- Health Symptoms: Monitor your pet for signs of tick-borne diseases, such as fever, lethargy, joint pain, or loss of appetite, which can appear days to weeks after a tick bite.
Environmental Indicators
- Unusual Pet Behavior: Pets heavily infested with fleas may become restless and exhibit discomfort. Similarly, symptoms of tick-borne diseases can alter a pet’s behavior.
- Flea Infestation in Home: Beyond your pet, you might notice fleas jumping on furniture, carpeting, or around light sources within your home.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Begin Treatment: Start treatment from a professional immediately to prevent the infestation from worsening. This may include medicated baths, topical treatments, and environmental controls.
- Clean Thoroughly: Wash all bedding, vacuum floors, and furniture, and consider professional pest control services to treat your home inside and out.
Recognizing the signs of a flea or tick infestation promptly can help you take swift action to mitigate the problem, ensuring the health and comfort of your pet and family. Call AIMVO Pest Control today when faced with a flea or tick infestation!
Professional Flea and Tick Control
When it comes to flea and tick infestations, sometimes DIY solutions and over-the-counter treatments aren’t enough. That’s where AIMVO Pest Control steps in—offering professional, effective solutions tailored to your specific situation.
Expert Inspection
Initially, our trained technicians commence with a thorough inspection of your home and yard to identify the severity and source of the infestation. Armed with this knowledge, and understanding of the behavior and lifecycle of fleas and ticks, we are subsequently able to target them more effectively.
Customized Treatment Plans
Following the initial inspection, AIMVO Pest Control crafts a treatment plan that’s specifically designed for the unique aspects of your home. Our approach is family- and pet-friendly, aiming to eradicate fleas and ticks at all stages of their life cycle.
Preventive Strategies
Moreover, beyond the immediate treatment, we’re dedicated to helping you prevent future infestations. We offer regular maintenance services and practical advice on making your surroundings less appealing to unwanted guests.
Importantly, at AIMVO Pest Control, our commitment to quality is underscored by our satisfaction guarantee. We pledge to keep your home pest-free and are prepared to tackle any concerns that may arise after treatment, ensuring your utmost satisfaction. Want to experience the quality of AIMVO Pest Control? Give us a call today or fill out our contact form and we will do the work!
Ongoing Flea and Tick Control Support
Dealing with fleas and ticks is a continuous struggle, but you’re not alone—AIMVO Pest Control stands by your side at every phase. Our dedication to ensuring your home’s safety and comfort doesn’t stop after the first treatment; it’s an ongoing commitment.
Regular Maintenance Programs
We’ve developed customizable maintenance programs to keep your home pest-free throughout the year. Through consistent visits, our technicians stay vigilant, catching and addressing any signs of pest activity swiftly.
Educational Resources
At AIMVO Pest Control, we’re passionate about equipping homeowners with the knowledge they need. We offer a range of educational materials, focusing on flea and tick prevention, pet care tips, and strategies for maintaining a pest-free living environment.
Choosing AIMVO Pest Control means you’re opting for a stress-free, professional approach to flea and tick control. Let us handle the pests, granting you the freedom to fully enjoy your home and yard, worry-free. Trust our flea and tick control to get the job done!