Flea/Tick Identification & Prevention

Fleas and ticks are both external parasites, but they don't fall into the same order. Fleas are insects, meaning they have six legs and three body parts. Meanwhile, ticks are arachnids, meaning they are related to spiders and scorpions. However, despite the fact that these pests are not in the same classification, they both feed on the same thing: blood. Fleas have a more hop-on/hop-off strategy to get a blood meal, while ticks can embed themselves in their hosts for several days before getting their fill.

Fleas are capable of spreading diseases and can trigger flea allergy symptoms in both people and pets alike. However, nowadays, it is quite rare for humans to get flea-borne illnesses. One can not say the same for ticks. Ticks spread a plethora of dangerous and potentially deadly diseases, some of which can debilitate you for life if not caught early. The most common and most dangerous disease spread by tick bites is Lyme disease. This bacterial illness can be easily treated if caught early, but if it goes untreated for an extended period, it can do permanent cardiovascular, neurological, and brain damage. 

There are three main ways that ticks and fleas can get onto your property. They ride in on your pets, on wildlife, or on you. Keeping your pets on a flea and tick prophylactic is the best way to prevent them from being the vectors that bring these parasites into your home. Taking protective measures for yourself when you go out into the wilderness is also an excellent way to avoid getting a tick infestation. But the best way to prevent fleas and ticks from setting up shop on your property is to avoid wildlife infestations.

Fleas can live and breed both on and off their hosts. You might find a flea infestation living in the fur of untreated pets. You might also find fleas breeding inside your carpet, furniture, grass, or bushes. Pretty much any sheltered area can allow fleas to breed. Ticks also hide in grass, bushes, and trees. You won't find ticks inside, for the most part. They prefer to hide in long grass or overhanging tree branches so they can crawl up or drop onto you when you pass by them.

Flea and tick control is not very easy once you get an infestation. Foggers and sprays typically don't kill unless they come into contact with the fleas, and flea dust can often leave a lot to be desired, especially if you have a large flea infestation. And all this says nothing of the fact that there are virtually no effective over-the-counter tick control products which means the best thing you can do if you discover that you have fleas or ticks on your property is to call the experts here at Accutech Pest Management. We can help ensure that your flea or tick problem is eliminated for good.