Fleas | Ticks

Fleas: Fleas are usually found in the homes with pets but they can also be a problem for new homeowners that move into previously infested homes and apartments. Flea control is important not only because of the discomfort bites cause to pets and people but also because fleas are carriers of the tapeworm parasite.

Ticks: Ticks can carry diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease. It’s important to be able to identify the species of tick you encounter as they all come with their own risks. We hope you find the following information useful.

Fleas

Diet: Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body. The most common species is the cat flea, which often feasts on cats, dogs and humans.
Habitat: Fleas can live on any warm-blooded animal, but seem to prefer to live on humans, cats, dogs, opossums, rats and other rodents. They can also be found on shoes, pant legs, or blankets. Fleas transport themselves on rodents and other mammals. Fleas can jump as high as 8 inches vertically and 16 inches horizontally.
Risks: Fleas are best known for spreading the Bubonic Plague. They also transmit the bacterial disease murine typhus to humans through infected rats. Their saliva is an allergen that can cause allergic reactions in pets and humans. Fleas can also transfer tapeworms and cause anemia in pets. Flea bites cause painful, itchy red bumps.

Prevention:

• Clean and vacuum frequently.
• Regular yard maintenance: mowing, raking leaves etc.
• Keep your yard clean of garbage and pet droppings.
• Protect pets by keeping them on a leash when outside, give them monthly flea and tick treatments, take them to the vet at least once a year to make sure they haven’t been infested, and regular grooming as advised by your veterinarian.
• If you think you have fleas in your home and property, call a pest management professional!

Getting Rid of Fleas Professionally

• Although many homeowners struggle with do-it-yourself pest control products the results are often less than satisfactory. Small problems can develop into large ones and this is when many people seek out the services of a pest control professional.
• Barry's Pest Contol technicians are skilled, experienced professionals – they are state certified, licensed applicators and are required to participate in regular training programs to maintain their expertise.
• They understand the habits of each species of flea and use that knowledge when developing a flea control program for your home. They also have respect for you, your home, your family, your time and – as importantly – your pets.
• At Barry's Pest Control, we pride ourselves on fast, responsive service every day. We are always available 24 hours a day for any emergency pest concerns that may develop and all appointments are scheduled at times that are convenient for you – our customer.

Treating Flea Bites

• When fleas are present homeowners generally notice them first by the bites they leave behind. Typically, bites are concentrated around the ankle and look very similar to mosquito bites.
• Fleas can be selective and will often feed on only one or a few people living in a house. Many times the people most affected are small children and infants.
   

Deer Ticks

General Information: Deer ticks are also called blacklegged ticks, named for its dark legs, which are a contrast to its pale body. These ticks like to feed on the blood of white-tailed deer, which is why they are sometimes called deer ticks.
Habitat: Deer ticks prefer to hide in grass and shrubs.
Threats: Deer ticks can spread Lyme disease and other co-infections. The danger of contracting Lyme disease via the nymph is greatest from May through August. It is critical to be vigilant of ticks, especially if you are in wooded areas. Symptoms of Lyme disease include a “bull’s eye” rash around the bite, flu-like symptoms and extreme fatigue.

American Dog Tick

General Information: The American dog tick, known by some people as the wood tick, is one of the most widely distributed and common ticks in the eastern and central United States. Only adults of the American dog tick feed on people and their pets – records of nymphs from humans are rare. The ornate marking is on the scutum of the female, which on the male, extends over the entire back. Female ticks increase dramatically in size as they obtain their blood meal from a host animal. Fully engorged females may reach ½ inch in length and resemble a dark pinto bean. Male ticks do not change notably in size as they feed.
Habitat: American dog ticks are most numerous along roadsides, paths, marshy areas and trails in brushy woodlands or meadows with tall grass or weeds. People or their pets may bring these ticks from outdoors into the home, where they can survive for many days.
Threats: The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, is the primary vector of the causal agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the eastern United States and is also a vector for the agent of tularemia. This tick does not transmit Lyme disease spirochetes and recent studies have indicated that it is not a vector for the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis.

Lone Star Ticks

General Information: The Lone Star tick is named from the conspicuous spot on the end of the scutum of the female tick. They are reddish brown in color and about 3-4 mm long; females are 6.35 mm (1/4”) long. Adults are active from April through mid-summer. Larvae are active in the late summer and early fall.
Habitat: Lone Star ticks are found mostly in woodlands with dense undergrowth and around animal resting areas.
Threats: The larvae do not carry disease, but the nymphal and adult stages can transmit the pathogens causing Monocytic Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and ‘Stari’ borreliosis. Lone Star ticks are notorious pests, and all stages are aggressive human biters. Lone star ticks have long mouthparts. Even with successful removal of mouthparts the cementing substance is left in the bite wound. This cement material can causing itching, skin irritation, and localized swelling immediately around the bite.

Tick Prevention:

• Wear long sleeved shirts and pants, preferably light colored so ticks will be easy to detect.
• Tuck pants into socks.
• Use a tick repellent.
• When you return indoors, inspect clothing and skin thoroughly for ticks, including head.
• Remove any ticks immediately.  Contact your physician if you suspect you have any symptoms of tick-related diseases.
• Wash clothes immediately.