Flea and tick season is beginning in North America and that means it’s time to prepare yourself and your family to make sure these annoying pests don’t become unintended household guests. What’s really annoying about these critters is that they bite, so they won’t hesitate to make their presence known.
For this reason, it’s important that you understand exactly what makes them tick (no pun intended!) so you can avoid them. Or, at worst, know exactly what you need to do to get rid of them.
Fleas are common in homes with pets, so if you have a furry friend that likes to venture outdoors, make sure you’re taking precautions such as administering flea and tick preventative medication to keep them flea-free.
The typical life cycle for a flea has four stages, beginning with the egg and then moving on to larva (caterpillar), pupa (cocoon), and adult, and the adults can live for several weeks, so make sure to keep your pet clean and check for pests regularly.
Ticks are part of the arachnid family and are external parasites, meaning that they live on the surface of the skin (humans and animals both) and sustain themselves by feeding on blood. When not attached to a living host, ticks can be in wooded areas where there are shrubs and tall grasses.
Ticks can also live on the underside of leaves (watch out for low-handing tree branches) or in yard plants, so it’s always a good idea to check for these critters after you’ve been outside for any extended period.
Lyme Disease & Other Things to Note
Like some other insects throughout North Americas, ticks are known carriers for Lyme Disease. Of course, this does not mean that every tick in existence is a positive carrier, but this is just another reason why keeping your home flea and tick-free is so essential during the spring and summer months when they are most active.
So, What Are My Next Steps?
The preventative measures we’ve listed above are great for avoiding a flea and tick infestation, but what do you do if you already have one? That’s where we come in. At Presidio Pest Management, we’re pros and eliminating pests regardless of the size of the infested location.
More importantly, we know how important your home and your time is to you. So, whether your goal is to ensure your house stays pest-free or you need to treat the fleas and ticks that are already there, we have you covered. From start to finish, our highly-knowledgeable and friendly staff are here to help you exterminate the problem and return your home to the sanctuary you love.
