Flea & Tick Identification Guide Across the Mid West and East Coast

What are fleas & ticks?

Fleas and ticks feed on the blood of a wide variety of hosts, including people, cats, dogs, mice, rats, squirrels, foxes, skunks, raccoons, and other wild animals. Blood is the sole source of food for fleas and ticks and allows them to complete their life cycles. Fleas and ticks attach themselves to the outside of their hosts (people and animals) to feed. Fleas can get onto a host by using their powerful back legs to jump onto them. In contrast, ticks cannot jump or fly, so they wait for a host to brush by them that they can climb onto.

Are fleas & ticks dangerous in AL, GA, TN, TX, FL, MA, OK, or KY?

Both Fleas and ticks are unwanted and dangerous pests to encounter in our area. Fleas do spread some diseases, but the major concern is the allergic reactions that some people and animals experience after fleas bite them. Flea bites cause skin reactions that are very itchy and may lead to a secondary infection. In animals, scratching at fleas may cause a loss of fur and sores to develop on the skin.

While fleas are not welcome pests and both people and animals need to stay away from them, ticks are more problematic because of the significant diseases they can spread. Diseases spread by ticks include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and more.

Why do I have a flea & tick problem?

Fleas and ticks are pests that find their way into our yards and homes, whether pets are present or not. While our dogs and cats do regularly introduce these blood-feeders into our homes, they also move inside on us. They can also hitchhike inside on upholstered furniture or rugs. Wild animals are what usually introduce these pests into our yards because animals are the most common hosts for both fleas and ticks. Warm weather and plenty of moisture allow these pests to thrive.

Where will I find fleas & ticks?

Ticks are outdoor pests and spend much of their lives on the back of the host they are feeding on. Most tick species are unable to breed indoors and therefore aren’t a huge threat inside our homes. However, ticks are a problem in our yards. Ticks hide outside in tall grass, along fence lines, at the edge of wooded paths, under woodpiles, and in other areas where they wait for a host to happen by.

Fleas are a problem in both our yards and homes. Inside, fleas not living on an animal hide in rugs, furniture, and bedding. Outside, fleas hide under piles of leaves, under shrubs or decks, or under woodpiles or brush piles.

If fleas or ticks are living in your yard, it is a very frustrating problem. You cannot enjoy your outdoor space to its fullest with them around because you are always on high alert, trying to avoid contact with these biting pests.

How do I get rid of fleas & ticks?

Urbanex is the best choice to get rid of fleas and ticks from your property. We offer our customers peace of mind knowing that problems with nuisance or dangerous pests will be solved and they won’t return. At Urbanex, we offer modern and effective pest control services that provide maximum results. To learn why so many home and business owners trust us with their pest control needs, reach out to us today!

How can I prevent fleas & ticks in the future?

Prevent problems with fleas and ticks with the help of the experts at Urbanex. In addition, use the following flea and tick prevention tips:

• Cut back overgrown or wooded areas away from the edge of your lawn.
• Make sure when walking in wooded areas to stay towards the middle of the path.
• Keep the grass cut short.
• Remove overgrown vegetation and brush piles from your property.
• Get rid of stray fleas and ticks in your home by vacuuming your floors and upholstered furniture regularly.
• Wash pet bedding frequently.
• Place all pets on year-round flea and tick preventative with the help of their veterinarian.
• Remove bird feeders and keep lids on trash cans to stop rodents and other wild animals from coming onto your property to forage for food, bringing with them fleas and ticks.